A federally funded student work placement program that offers paid work-integrated learning opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector has been launched by HR Canada. The Propel program is designed to “nurture talent in a devastated industry” by providing mentoring and work-ready skills to students, while tourism and hospitality employers gain access to federal wage subsidies.
Key benefits of Propel are that employers acquire much-needed early talent to help with the recovery of the industry, as well as assistance with wages after an 18-month stretch of little or no income, while post-secondary institutions complement their programming by connecting students and the workplace.
Funded by Employment and Social Development Canada through the Student Work Placement Program, Propel offers employers a wage subsidy of up to 75% of a qualifying student’s wages, to a maximum of $7,500. Students enrolled at a recognized post-secondary institution can apply for a paid position to fulfil the co-op or internship component of their program.
Early adopters of the program include Accor hospitality group, George Brown College, Ryerson University, and Vancouver Community College.
“Propel is integral to the recovery and resiliency of Canada’s tourism sector… (and) a lifeline to our hardest-hit sector, providing talent and financial assistance at a time when so many employers are struggling,” says Tourism HR Canada president and CEO Philip Mondor.
He adds, “Despite their best efforts, many employers were not able to retain their staff and are facing difficulty rebuilding as restrictions lift. Students have missed out on opportunities to get a foothold in the labour market, build essential social and employability skills, and make meaningful industry connections. Propel creates a direct link between students looking to enhance their workplace skills and employers who can provide that valuable experience while also showcasing the depth and breadth of career pathways in the industry.”
“Forget the pandemic…the next crisis is already here, and it is the labour gap that we are experiencing in hospitality and tourism,” states Frederic Dimanche, Director, Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Ryerson University in Toronto. “The reputation of our sector has suffered and school enrolments are down. Proactive strategies such as Propel, with efficient and innovative partnerships between the public sector, schools, and industry, are essential to succeed.”
Heather McCrory, CEO North & Central America, Accor, says the benefits for students are enormous.
“I started my career over 30 years ago in the laundry room at Accor’s Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and advanced through the business to now lead over 22,000 employees in more than 100 hotels across North & Central America,” she observes. “This program will help to find those passionate individuals who want to be part of an exciting future, and we look forward to welcoming them to our properties in the fall.”
Canada’s tourism sector has lost over 500,000 jobs from its workforce since the pandemic began. It is hoped that Propel will play a key role in attracting and retaining students to the varied opportunities becoming rapidly available as the economy reopens, supporting a sustainable future for one of Canada’s key economic engines.