Human Resource Advocacy
Culinary Certification Pilot Project
During the past year, the Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Council’s Apprenticeship Taskforce has had a number of meetings with the Apprenticeship Training Division to try and address the issue of the declining number of Red Seal Chefs and apprentices in Nova Scotia. As a result, a pilot project will take place this Spring to address the issue of sustainability within the cooks trade.
The Culinary Certification Pilot Project is a partnership between the TIANS/NSTHRC, Workplace Initiative (Department of Labour and Advanced Education), Apprenticeship Training and the Nova Scotia Community College.
The Culinary Certification Pilot Project will improve business operations through up-skilling the hospitality workforce with training that will lead to the Red Seal designation. Participants of the program will be experienced Cooks who have not completed their certification. It will combine on the job experience with certification preparatory training. The end result will be to increase the number of Red Seal Chefs as well as advance apprenticeship within the cooks trade. There will be no charge for this program as it will be funded through the One Journey at Work Initiative. The criteria for consideration is three years of cooking experience or 6000 hours.
The pilot project will take place this Spring in Cape Breton. Currently many of the businesses in Cape Breton cannot take on an apprentice due to the lack of Red Seal Chefs. It is anticipated that participating Chefs (employers) will support the apprenticeship program in the future by hiring an apprentice (when able) or support a current employee to enroll as an apprentice and complete their certification. We anticipate a new generation of mentors will emerge as a result of this program.
If you are an employer in Cape Breton and interested in participating in this project, please contact Lynn McDonagh Hughes at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 496-7472. The location will be based on demand – either the NSCC Port Hawkesbury Campus or the NSCC Campus in Sydney. This is an amazing opportunity for operators to encourage and support their culinary staff in achieving their Red Seal designation.
Special Pricing Offer on Supervisor National Certification Programs - Limited Time Offer
The Council is pleased to offer emerit Supervisor National Certification Study Groups in two locations this winter. Prepatory sessions will be held in Baddeck and Halifax in early March. Special program pricing is available for a limited time! The cost of registration is $150.00 for TIANS members, a savings of $549.00 per participant.The fee includes registration in National Supervisor Certification, all workbooks, the study group and the exam. Participants will work towards completion of their emerit Supervisor National Certification. The emerit Certification and the Tourism Supervisor Professional designation are the highest credential awarded to Tourism Professionals in Canada. Space is limited so call today for more information or to reserve your seat(s)! Contact Jane Rozee at (902) 496-7476 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Provincial Apprenticeship Board Accepting Applications for a trade Ad Hoc Advisory Committee
The Provincial Apprenticeship Board is inviting applications for members of a trade Ad Hoc Advisory. Committee to review and make recommendations on the regulations for the Cook trade. The committee is established under section 12 of the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act. The Board is seeking employers and employees who are knowledgeable about the Cook trade, understand the labour market, and who can commit to attending a number of meetings. Expenses will be reimbursed. The first meeting will take place on April 16, 2012 in Halifax. Please send a resume and cover letter by March 16, 2012, indicating your knowledge of the trade, related certification, if you are an employer or employee, and any other relevant information. Please send details to: Provincial Apprenticeship Board, 2021 Brunswick St, PO Box 578, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2S9, Phone: (902) 424-0872 Fax: (902) 428-0605
Nova Scotia Recognizes 188 Tourism Professionals
On May 18th the Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Council (NSTHRC) recognized 188 tourism employees for achieving National Certification at its 16th Annual Recognition of Excellence Certification Dinner at the Cunard Centre in Halifax. National Certification is the highest industry recognition available to tourism employees. Nova Scotia has the highest number of certified tourism employees per capita in Canada. To view the media release, please click here.
NSTHRC Scholarship Winners
The Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Council is pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 Tourism Scholarships! Our Walter H. Johnson Jr. Gold Scholarship winner is Lauren Perry from Middleton Regional High School. She will be attending Mount Saint Vincent University for the Tourism & Hospitality Management program. Our Walter H. Johnson Jr. Silver Scholarship winner is Hilary DeCoste from East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy. She will be attending NSCC Pictou Campus for the Tourism Management Program. Our joint Culinary Scholarship is a partnership with the Hotel Association of Nova Scotia. This year's winner is Alexander Scanlan from Citadel High School. He will be attending NSCC Akerley Campus for the Culinary Arts program. The Council is also delighted to award the Judith B. Cabrita Tourism Professional Scholarship to Bernice Theriault. Bernice is the General Manager of the Comfort Inn Bridgewater and will be attending the Cornell School of Hotel Administration Executive Education Program. Congratulations to all our Scholarship Winners! We are also pleased to announce the winner of the Hotel Association of Nova Scotia's Hospitality Scholarship. The scholarship winner is Pierre Larade from Ecole NDA de Cheticamp. He will be attending NSCC Akerley Campus for the Tourism Management Program. For more information on our scholarships please check out the link on our website - www.tourismhrc.com
Tourism Operators to Attend Cornell University Professional Development
The Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Council are putting the final touches on the plans for MasterClass 2011 - a focused professional development program for tourism industry operators and senior managers. This year's MasterClass is offering eleven Nova Scotia tourism leaders the chance to participate in Executive Education Programs at Cornell University in New York State. Participants applied for spots earlier this year and were able to select a three day program of their choice from a variety of courses. To view the media release, please click here.
Red Seal Program Survey
For over 50 years, the Red Seal Program has established pan-Canadian, industry defined standards for the skilled trades. Currently, 52 skilled trades in Canada are designated under the Red Seal Program. These standards provide greater mobility for skilled trades workers across Canada and internationally, and serve as a recognition of excellence. The Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) is the body that oversees the Red Seal Program to ensure, among other things, the program remains industry-driven. The CCDA is engaged in on-going consulting with stakeholders on specific ways to strengthen the Red Seal Program. Over the past year, the CCDA has heard from a significant number of key stakeholders. We believe there is value to industry by now reaching out in a more comprehensive way through the accessibility of an online survey. A survey book will provide you with a crisp overview of the issues and opportunities the CCDA is exploring related to assessment and what we have heard from others so far. Your answers to the questions will help the CCDA ensure that its work moving forward reflects the needs and priorities of industry. It will take only about 5 to 10 minutes to complete this survey. Thank you in advance for your input. Please feel free to forward this email and link to your colleagues. http://strengtheningtheredseal.ascentum.com/survey/ The survey will be live until mid-July, 2011. For more information on the Red Seal Program, please visit www.red-seal.ca
HR Database – Request for Participation
NSTHRC recognizes that attracting and retaining key employees for the hospitality industry is now and will continue to be a major challenge for operators throughout the province. For this reason, we are requesting your participation in the formation of a database of industry representatives charged with the responsibility of human resource management within their organization. Please take advantage of this request for participation and assist us in developing this unique and comprehensive database of industry professionals. In turn we will share best practices designed to keep the tourism industry a major economic force and a great career choice for Nova Scotians. To submit your information, simply following this link: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22BXP9LPDYZ/
Employer of Choice Program
Staff recruitment and retention issues will continue to dominate in 2011. One effective tool to enhance both attracting and retaining employees is the Employer of Choice program. People want to work for companies that are rated highly by current employees. Find out today how you can become part of a national movement and become a tourism Employer of Choice with national recognition provided to the company! Contact Lynn at 496-7472 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.employerofchoice.ca
Understanding the Disabled Market
Population projections estimate that by 2021, Canadians aged 65 and older will number close to 6.7 million, or about one-fifth of the population. Many seniors have difficulties with mobility, sight and hearing and although they may not consider themselves to have a disability, easier access would be a great benefit. As a tourism business, quality service is one of the most important things you can offer. Home Mobility is a new business in Nova Scotia specializing in this market. They have provided a free guide to TIANS members to help you understand how to improve access to your goods and services for the disabled market. Please click here for the full document.