VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – Sept. 27, 2010) – The formal signing of an articulation agreement last Thursday marked the first time that a post-secondary institution in Vancouver officially recognized the value of industry credentials in the tourism sector.
Wendy Swedlove, President of the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC), was thrilled about the significance of the event. “The signing is proof that Canadian tourism businesses and the education community are keen to recognize the merits of one another’s programming and credentials,” she said.
By signing this precedent-setting agreement, representatives from CTHRC, The Art Institute of Vancouver (AIV) and go2 Tourism HR Society (go2) have helped to solidify the importance of all forms of learning in career development. The agreement ensures that qualified graduates of AIV’s Event Management program will also be awarded an emerit® Occupational Knowledge Certification for Event Coordinator. This is will give candidates partial credit towards an emerit® Professional Certification in this field.
“The big winner in this agreement is the student who leaves a post-secondary institution with not only a highly regarded diploma, but credit towards nationally-recognized, industry developed professional certification,” Swedlove said.
Graduates will receive full credit toward the Occupational Knowledge Certification from go2, the human resource association that delivers emerit® programs and services in British Columbia.
“This arrangement will help to raise the overall awareness of go2 as a resource for new employees entering the tourism industry,” explained Arlene Keis, Chief Executive Officer of go2. “It introduces the emerit® brand and the option of certification to students before they enter the workforce.”
Tom Kim, President of AIV, spoke about the importance of the agreement for future graduates. “It provides students with an opportunity to continue their professional development after graduation,” he said. “It is not only a benefit for our graduates, but also an important milestone in the growth and development of the entire special events industry. The Art Institute of Vancouver is really proud to be a part of that.”
The official signing ceremony was held as part of Portfolio night showcasing the summer cohort at AIV on Thursday, September 23, 2010.
About The Art Institute of Vancouver
The Art Institute of Vancouver is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of more than 45 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.
About the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC)
The Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC) is a national organization that facilitates and coordinates human resources development activities which support a globally competitive and sustainable Canadian tourism sector. The Council conducts labour market research (www.cthrc.ca), offers training and recognition under the emerit® tourism training brand (www.emerit.ca), promotes the advantages of working in the sector through Discover Tourism (www.discovertourism.ca), and helps identify companies with positive HR practices through its employee-rated Employer of Choice program.
About emerit
emerit® is Canada’s national brand of tourism training, standards and professional certification. Developed by the CTHRC, in conjunction with representatives from industry, labour and education, emerit training and certification products and services help the tourism sector improve financial performance by improving people performance. For more information, visit www.emerit.ca or call 1-800-486-9158.
About go2 Tourism HR Society (go2)
go2 is an independent, non-profit society with a mandate to implement British Columbia’s tourism workforce development strategy. Tourism is one of the largest resource industries in BC comprising 18,000 mostly small to medium sized businesses which directly employ over 131,000 British Columbians. For more information, visit www.go2hr.ca.