Training and Development Resources

Can you afford to train your staff and community volunteers? Can you afford not to?

emerit Standards and Certification

The Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Council (NSTHRC) (www.tourismhrc.com) is a national partner of the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (www.cthrc.ca) and has been actively involved in the development of National Occupational Standards for various occupations in the tourism industry, and is also the certifying body for non-apprenticeable trades in Nova Scotia. As well, the NSTHRC is the local partner for emerit, “Canada’s best tourism training tools” emerit offers flexible learning options including on-line accessibility and traditional workbooks. This allows for self-directed learning of specific skill based modules and also permits individuals to challenge full certification.

Standards are statements outlining the attitude, knowledge and skills required of an individual in order to be considered competent in an occupation. Standards clarify expectations and can be used to design consistent training, education, and professional development programs. National Certification is a three step process. Professionals who achieve National Certification will be recognized across Canada for meeting industry requirements in their selected occupation. The candidate must be employed in the occupation and must have achieved a minimum number of hours work experience (varies depending on occupation) prior to completing certification. Further information on the National Certification process is available by logging on to www.emerit.ca. Standards presently exist for 48 occupations and Certification is available for 29 of these occupations (denoted with an asterisk*). Occupational standards may be downloaded free of charge from the emerit website. They are:

• Banquet Manager
• Banquet Server *
• Bartender *
• Campground Operator *
• Casino Dealer *
• Casino Slot Attendant
• Catering Manager
• Director of Sales and Marketing Banquet Server
• Door Staff
• Event Coordinator *
• Event Manager *
• Food and Beverage Manager *
• Food and Beverage Server *
• Food Service Counter Attendant
• Freshwater Angling Guide *
• Front Desk Agent *
• Golf Club General Manager
• Guest Services Attendant *
• Heritage Interpreter *
• Housekeeping Room Attendant *
• Hunting Guide *
• In-room Dining Server
• Kitchen Helper
• Line Cook *
• Night Auditor
• Outdoor Adventure Guide*
• Professional Cooking
• Reservation Sales Agent *
• Retail First Level Manager
• Retail Sales Associate*
• Sales Manager *
• Ski Area/Resort Operations
• Small Business Owner/Operator
• Snowmobile Industry
• Supervisory Skills
• Tour Director *
• Taxicab Driver *
• Ticket Agent
• Tour Guide *
• Tour Operator
• Tourism Essentials
• Tourism Supervisor *
• Tourism Trainer *
• Tourism Visitor Information Counsellor *
• Tourism Visitor Information Supervisor
• Transferrable Skills
• Travel Counsellor*
• Wine Service *
• Workplace Trainer*

*Open for Certification

Training Programs

“What Happens if you train them and they leave? What happens if you don’t and they stay?” By ensuring you have a well-developed training program in place, you will achieve knowledgeable, service-oriented employees, who will be committed to your organization and its principles. The Professional Development Department of the Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Council provides interactive workshops for both management and staff in the Tourism Industry; on the premise that good service, provided by knowledgeable staff, will encourage repeat business. To protect your most valuable resource – your human resources – contact the Professional Development Department for assistance in selecting the right tools for your job. Log on to www.tourismhrc.com for further information on the following programs: