Workforce Development Program Launches in Support of Tourism and Hospitality Community in Toronto, Mississauga and Brampton

HospitalityEDGE.ca offers collection of free online courses for tourism and hospitality workers

TORONTO, Sept. 17, 2021 /CNW/ - A new workforce development program is helping facilitate the return of hospitality workers as more businesses in the sector prepare for the next stages of recovery. Hospitality EDGE offers a highly curated suite of courses for workers in the hospitality sector—online and at no cost—and comes at a time when the tourism and hospitality industry has needed to adapt quickly during the global pandemic.

The program also launches at a time when 373,000 employees in the sector have found themselves out of work due to ongoing COVID restrictions, according to the World Travel & Tourism's Canadian Economic Impact Report.

"Hospitality EDGE offers courses for furloughed employees returning to the workforce, current workers who want or need to up-skill, and those interested in joining the hospitality industry," said Andrew Weir, Executive Vice President, Destination Development at Destination Toronto. "Our goal is to help workers retrain, upgrade skills, explore new positions and get on the path to re-employment in the hospitality industry. We also want to keep furloughed workers that are passionate about the industry connected to the people, businesses and sector they love."

The new program is delivered by Destination Toronto in close partnership with the City of Toronto's Economic Development & Culture department, Tourism Mississauga and the Tourism Office of the City of Brampton, and is made possible through funding from workforce development initiatives from the Government of Ontario's Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries.

Developed with input from employers and employees from a diverse range of hospitality businesses, Hospitality EDGE offers courses connected to five critically-needed skill sets for today's workforce: Health & Safety; Customer Service; Digital Literacy; Inclusive and Sustainable Tourism; and Resiliency.

"Hospitality is all about people and creating a sense of welcome and comfort," said Weir. "If you're a worker looking to return to the hospitality sector or wanting to start your career, use these courses to help get ready for unique demands and opportunities in hospitality as businesses continue to reopen."

More information, registration, course descriptions and eligibility criteria can be found at HospitalityEDGE.ca.

ABOUT DESTINATION TORONTO

Toronto's visitor economy is a vital economic engine for the city, generating more than $10 billion in economic activity and supporting 70,000 jobs in 2019. Destination Toronto's mandate is to reflect the breadth and diversity of Toronto's people, places and culture to inspire residents and visitors to meet, visit and explore our city. Operating in partnership with the City of Toronto, the Greater Toronto Hotel Association and the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, Destination Toronto markets and promotes the city to global travellers, attracts and supports major meetings and events, and supports local businesses to maximize the opportunities of visitor spending. For more information please visit DestinationToronto.com.

SOURCE Destination Toronto

MEDIA CONTACT: Matt McNama, Corporate Communications Manager, Destination Toronto, M: 416-994-2258, [email protected]