Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jun 22/01) - A new course ran this year at Samuel Hearne secondary school on tourism opportunities.
Ten spots in the tourism careers for youth program were taken by students in Grades 11 and 12. Then the other five seats were offered to people from within the tourism industry.
Judith Venaas, regional tourism officer for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development in Inuvik, explained the course was an entry-level skills program.
"It was done as a regular classroom class, so there was 80 minutes per day," Venaas said.
During the course, which ran from Jan. 30 to the end of March, students learned about hospitality professionalism, office operations, and general tourism knowledge (including marketing).
Safety and sanitation were also covered. Students acquired certificates in first aid, WHMIS, and food safety.
"The last part of the course was done on job search skills. We had somebody come in to talk to them about doing up a resume, what needs to be on a resume, and sort of an attitude that you should adopt," Venaas said.
Ten students graduated from the program. Ceremonies were held recently.
"It worked out very well, because the high school students were able to teach the older students something, and the older students taught the younger students something," Venaas said.
The graduates will be able to take a certification course.
Venaas explained an attempt was made about four years ago to set up such a program here, but it didn't work well because it was set up for students between 18 and 30 who were on unemployment insurance.
Venaas said this time the requirements were different.
Most of the funds for the program came from the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council.
"We obtained funding from them with the help of the Yukon Tourism Education Council, because the Northwest Territories doesn't have a training group."
Other sponsors included the Beaufort Delta Education Council, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the Gwich'in Tribal Council, RWED, and Education, Culture and Employment in Inuvik.
Venaas said the program may be offered again sometime.
Those who graduated were Evelyn Bernhardt, Celina Buckle, Wendi Bradley, Diane Day, Brian Hann, Cathleen Hicks, Erin Joe, Meeka Kisoun, Brenda Scharr and Fred Seabrook.
