Yellowknife (June 06/03) - It's not only high school seniors who are graduating this spring.

Twenty students celebrated their completion of the tourism careers for youth program on Monday, May 26.

The graduation ceremony started at 7:30 pm in the legislative assembly's Great Hall.

The event was hosted by Wenda Dahl, the trainer-co-ordinator of tourism careers for Youth/Ready to Work.

The entry-level job skills program will help the students find jobs for the summer.

"The program will give them good footing and confidence on the job," said Dahl.

"They have learned how to be a team player and how to be safe on the job."

A few students have already found jobs.

The certificates received Monday really "boosts their resume," said Dahl. "Everybody who wants to be working is working."

Becca Pitre, a Sir John Franklin student, said that having the course will help her find a good summer job.

"It was a good opportunity to learn about the tourism industry and get some certification under my belt."

The Grade 10, 11 and 12 students in the program attended weekly three-hour classes at Aurora College from October to May.

Vickie Budgell, a Grade 11 student at Sir John, said the program gave her much more than she expected when going into it. "It opened my eyes to a possible future in the tourism industry."

However, the program is also designed for first time job seekers, not just those interested in tourism.

"It's a cross-occupational course," said Dahl, adding that the skills learned in the program can be applied to any job.

The course has five modules including professionalism in the workplace, job search skills, safety and sanitation, office operations and, of course, "general knowledge of tourism in our community."

Other training includes WHMIS, FoodSafe, Standard First Aid/CPR, NorthernMost Host and Japanese Service Expectations.

Pitre said, "Some of the courses could be a bit boring at times."

Nonetheless, Budgell said, "Wenda made learning fun."

Dahl was impressed with the students' dedication to the course.

The students have given "100 hours of their time above and beyond their schooling," she said.

They also gave up four weekends to complete the safety training.

This is the fourth year the tourism careers program has been running. Already, there are eight students on the waiting list for next year.

Budgell has recommended taking the course to all her friends since she got so much out of it.

Pitre concurred, "It was an awesome experience."

Funding for the program comes from Education, Culture and Employment as well as the Canadian Tourism Human Resources Council. Both contribute 50 per cent of the funds needed to put on the program.