Navigating Employment Pathways
Strengthening Career Destinations for Aboriginal People in Tourism and Hospitality!
Building on the success of the Ready to Work Tourism and Hospitality Program, the Metis Nation of Ontario (MNO) is pleased to announce the new Navigating Employment Pathways Program (NEP), funded in part by the Government of Canada. The Program is a partnership between The Metis Nation of Ontario (MNO) and The Ontario Tourism Education Corporation (OTEC).
The Program is designed to provide industry specific training to Aboriginal people looking for a career in the Tourism and Hospitality Sector. The program will be offered in four (4) sites including: Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay and Midland. This fully funded training opportunity will be offered twice a year.
The Program is comprised of two training components. The first is ten (10) weeks of classroom training where participants may gain certifications in Tourism Essentials, Service Excellence, Food Safety, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and Smart Serve.
Along with these certifications, participants will also be working towards occupation specific training in one of the 19 choices available through The National emerit Professional Certification Process. These choices are listed below:
- Bartender
- Casino Slot Attendant
- Event Coordinator
- Food & Beverage Server
- Front Desk Agent
- Freshwater Angling Guide
- Guest Services Attendant
- Heritage Interpreter
- Housekeeping Room Attendant
- Hunting Guide
- Line Cook
- Reservations Sales Agent
- Retail Sales Associate
- Sales Manager
- Taxicab & Limousine Driver
- Tour Guide
- Tour Director
- Tourism Visitor Information Counsellor
- Travel Counsellor
Participants will then take the skills and knowledge they have learned in the classroom and apply them during the second component, which is a paid work placement. During the work placement, participants will begin to log their work hours towards the second step of the National emerit Professional Certification Process, bringing them one step closer to becoming a Tourism Certified Professional.
Participants will work closely with staff throughout the program to develop Individual Skills Development Plans, ensuring that individual skills, experiences, knowledge and career goals are being matched with the national occupation choices. Guest speakers, field trips and expanding cultural knowledge are also built into the program components.
Successful participants may leave the program with valuable certifications along with greater knowledge and understanding of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry and work experience gained from their work placement, which could lead to securing employment as a Tourism Certified Professional.
The program will also involve creating an Advisory Committee of industry stake holders and community members who will meet and provide knowledge and expertise to the program at each location.
Click here to view program poster.
For more information and application deadlines please contact the location you would like to attend.
Midland 705-527-1228 or TF 1-888-684-7347
Sault Ste. Marie 705-254-1768 or TF 1-877-737-6693
North Bay 705-474-2767 or TF 1-888-825-1742
Thunder Bay 807-624-5014 or TF 1-800-256-2595