Tourism employment in August had about 285,000 fewer workers than it did in the same month in 2019 according to Stats Canada’s Labour Force Survey. There are more than 130,000 unfilled accommodations and food services jobs across the country. Tourism HR Canada has announced the launch of a federally funded student work placement program offering paid work-integrated learning opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector.
Called “Propel” the program is intended to help employers nurture talent and develop skills and to rebuild their workforce lost during the pandemic. The program covers all facets of the visitor economy: accommodations, food and beverage services, culinary, recreation, entertainment, culture, events, transportation, travel services, and others.
Propel offers Canadian tourism employers a wage subsidy of up to 75 percent of a qualifying student’s wages, to a maximum of $7,500.
“The number one challenge we’re seeing as we come out of the pandemic is a significantly decreased workforce,” said Philip Mondor, president and CEO of Tourism HR Canada.
“Propel is part of a long-term strategy to build back the tourism workforce. The program creates a direct link between students who have missed out on opportunities to get a foothold in the labour market and employers who, despite their best efforts, were not able to retain staff.”
A Key Strategy to Combat the Labour Shortage
Director of the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Ryerson University, Frederic Dimanche, worries the next crisis is the labour gap that is being experienced in hospitality and tourism.
“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,” said Dimanche.
Early adopters of Propel include popular tourism businesses and schools including Accor, George Brown College, Ryerson University and Vancouver Community College.
“It’s been a devastating 18 months for hospitality, but the teamwork and spirit of entrepreneurship that has seen us through is truly inspiring. We are delighted to be part of an initiative that is helping our industry to win and build back stronger and better than before,” said Accor CEO North & Central America, Heather McCrory.
“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 and Central America. This program will help to find those passionate individuals who want to be part of an exciting future.”
Benefits of the program ensure that students gain paid hands-on learning and mentoring in their field of study. 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. Post-secondary institutions complement their programming by connecting students and the workplace.
For more information visit www.PropelCareers.ca