With summer just around the corner, now is a great time to start looking for a job in the tourism and hospitality industry.  According to the 2012 BC Tourism Labour Market Strategy, British Columbia’s tourism industry is in an enviable position.  It is predicted that the number of jobs in the industry is set to increase from 255,860 in 2010 to 300,080 by 2020.  That being said, with an estimated 17,943 tourism-related businesses currently operating in B.C., and steady economic growth across all five tourism sectors, it’s definitely a promising industry to find work in. 

The Five Sectors of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry:

• Accomodation
• Food and Beverage Services
• Recreation and Entertainment
• Transportation
• Travel Services

Where do I start?

If you’re hoping to work in the tourism industry one of the best things you can do to make yourself stand out from the competition is to have proper training.  Programs such as FOODSAFE, SuperHost®, emerit, Serving it Right, WHMIS, or First Aid Certification can help distinguish you from other job seekers, and provide you with valuable skills that are sought after in the industry.  Baker, Meatcutter, and Professional Cook apprenticeships are also valuable credentials to have on your resume if you’re interested in Food & Beverage Services jobs (the largest employment sector of the five).  Since a large portion of visitors to B.C. are international visitors, knowing a second language is another great way to market yourself to potential employers, especially in the Recreation and Entertainment sector.

Are there any government programs?

Absolutely. In fact, over 4.2 million was recently invested by our government through the BC Jobs Plan to provide a new Workplace Training Program for people involved in the retail and tourism sectors.  The purpose of this program is to help build and develop the skills of employees currently working in these sectors.  For example, cashiers, servers, hosts, sales associates, and bartenders are just some of the occupations that the curricula is directed towards.  So if you’re currently working in one of these positions and want to upgrade your skills then contact your employer and tell them you’d like to be considered for the program.  Your employer will have to contact your local college to see if the program is available in your area.  To participate in this program you do need to be eligible for Labour Market Agreement funding. Click here for more information.

What next?

Once you have the proper training and skills, it’s time to start looking for work.  Tourism job boards are an excellent resource for job seekers.  In particular the go2 Job Board has hundreds of opportunities posted by a variety of tourism-related businesses ranging from Vineyards to Hotels.  And, of course, WorkBC is a growing resource for the job seeker with over a thousand jobs posted between June 01 and 14.  Lastly, because not all jobs are advertised, it is always a good idea to tell relatives, friends, and neighbours that you are looking for work in the tourism and hospitality industry.  They may know someone who is hiring or, at least, someone who can help you get started.  If you have any tips or ideas for finding work in the tourism industry feel free to post your own comments below, because we’d love to hear from you!