Program Overview
Online and On-Campus Delivery Options may be available!
The two most recent labour market studies in BC have both come to the same conclusion – tourism in BC is a growth industry. There has been speculation that there will be an increase of about 100,000 new jobs by 2020 due to new jobs and current workers retiring. Although this is great news, it does pose some challenges, not the least of which is establishing a strategy to make sure that BC has enough skilled people in the right place at the right time.
If you are interested in working in the accommodation industry, positions as a front desk agent, housekeeper or bell person are great ways to get an introduction to this sector. Along with meeting people from around the world, these front-line staff members have the advantage of learning about the various aspects of the hotel business (and an opportunity to climb the corporate ladder).
For those who are more interested in being behind the scenes, the accommodation industry also requires workers for business and trade-related positions – including accountants, marketers, cooks, bakers and carpenters.
With thousands of events being hosted at BC properties each year – such as conferences, weddings, seminars and so on – the accommodation sector also requires sales, support and event staff. An integral part of any hotel team includes sales representatives, concierges, event coordinators and others who help bring business to the property and ensure all of the events run smoothly.
So, whether you’re interested in being on the front lines or behind the scenes, working at a mountain resort, wilderness campground or a cosmopolitan hotel in the heart of a bustling city – a career in this dynamic industry can definitely accommodate you.
This program offers AHLA (American Hotel and Lodging Association) certificates.
Strong computer knowledge would be highly recommended.
Career Opportunities
- Travel Consultant
- Reservations Agent
- Destination Coordinator
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the Tourism / Hospitality Management with Practicum program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate leadership competencies
- Provide responsible and professional hospitality services
- Supervise front-of-the-house and back-of-the-house hotel and restaurant operations
- Analyze emerging hospitality industry trends and innovations
- Apply critical thinking and problem-solving techniques to make sound management decisions and recommendations
- Describe the role and scope of the tourism industry
- Describe and understand the five sectors of the tourism/hospitality industry and their economic impact
- Apply the principles and practices of guest and customer services
- Productively use industry software including SABRE
- Communicate effectively using various communication channels
Why Study at Sprott Shaw?
- Lifetime access to dedicated Employment Services Specialists (ESS) who can help you with resume and cover letter writing, interview skills, and the overall job search after graduation
- Lifetime tuition-free access to course refreshers if you ever need to retrain and update your skills
- Practicum opportunities with recognized organizations across BC
- Multiple start dates so you can start your education when you want to without the wait
- Career and professional development success courses to help create a career development marketing plan, learn the cardinal rules of professionalism, and identify the target markets and employment resources in the counselling field
- Preparation and orientation courses to teach you how to find credible research, write papers, create proper citation formats including APA, and study effectively for exams
- All-inclusive program costs where what you see is what you pay. Our costs include registration fees, assessment fees, tuition, textbooks, supplies, course materials, uniforms, certificates, graduation fees, practicum fees, and much more
- Grant and scholarship opportunities are available to help you save on tuition. Up to $4000 in scholarships and grants are open to recent high school graduates, Sprott Shaw alumni, military veterans, and more! Click here to browse our full list of grants and scholarships.
Where Are Sprott Shaw Graduates Working?
Our Administration, Legal, and Hospitality graduates can be found working throughout the province. Graduates of our Administration programs are working in a diverse range of locations including the BC Cancer Agency and the Government of Canada.
Graduates of our Veterinary Assistant program can be found in various veterinary clinics such as the Central City Animal Hospital and the Panorama Village Animal Hospital.
Legal graduates can be found working in law firms and legal offices such as the Sea to Sky Law Office and Westside Family Law. Tourism and Hospitality graduates have been hired by Best Western, the Sandman Hotel Group, Grouse Mountain Tourism, and more.
Click below to learn more about where our graduates are currently working. Please note that these lists do not cover every single business that has hired a Sprott Shaw graduate, but they do provide a good representation of the sort of industries that Sprott Shaw graduates are working in.
Program Details
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must meet all of the pre-requisites listed below, meet their financial obligations to the college at registration, and acknowledge their understanding of SSC’s policies and procedures provided in the Student Handbook, prior to starting classes.
Note: Students are provided with a detailed list of books, e-resources, workshop/lab supplies, and lab/tool kits that are included in the program’s fees and will have the opportunity to opt in or out of purchasing from Sprott Shaw College or any other specific source any of these items at the time of registration.
Applicants must successfully complete the admissions interview and English language entrance requirements.
Education Level:
- Grade 12 or equivalent (GED, Adult Basic Education) with evidence of a ‘true certified copy’ or original transcript
- Mature student status (age 19 and one year out of high school)
Language Proficiency Policy:
All programs at Sprott Shaw College (SSC) are conducted in English, making proficiency in the English language a requirement for enrollment.
The required proficiency can be demonstrated through 1) completion of secondary or post-secondary education where English is the language of instruction and is also one of the country’s official languages, or 2) An approved English Language Assessment, 3) Graduation from Sprott Shaw Language College’s (SSLC) EPE: English for Post-Secondary Education program, or 4) For mature (≥ 19 years) students who are facing barriers and cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education.
SSC programs that have a higher English language level, require additional years of secondary or post-secondary education where English is the language of instruction, or where language proficiency is to be otherwise demonstrated, are identified within the relevant program outlines.
For all other SSC programs, English language proficiency is demonstrated by:
1. Education
a) Secondary Education
Evidence of Successful Fulltime Secondary Education Completion*, where English is one of the principle languages of instruction:
i) Showing two (2) years, if all Grades successfully completed are 10, 11, or 12, or
ii) Showing three (3) years if the successful Grades are 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12
iii) Showing validation of both language of instruction and credential level is provided by WES, ICES or IQAS
OR
b) Post- Secondary Education
Evidence of 2 years of Fulltime Post-Secondary Education Completion*, where English is one of the principle languages of instruction. Language development courses (i.e. ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation.
*This may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a BC Adult Graduation program, or providing validation of both language of instruction and credential level is provided by WES, ICES or IQAS.
Countries where English is the language of instruction: American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, United States Virgin Islands, Zambia, & Zimbabwe.
OR
2. Assessment
By achieving a recognized standardized language test/assessment.
Approved English language assessment options:
· IELTS. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: Minimum overall score of 5.5.
· TOEFL. Test of English as a Foreign Language IBT: Minimum overall score of 46
· CAEL. Canadian Academic English Language Assessment. Minimum overall score of 40
· CELPIP. Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program: Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5 and Writing 5.
· DET. Duolingo English Test: Minimum overall score of 95
· PTE. Pearson Test of English Academic: Minimum overall score of 43
· Cambridge English Qualifications: Minimum overall score of 160 or “C”
· Cambridge Linguaskill: Minimum overall B2 level
· LANGUAGECERT Academic: Minimum overall B2 level
· MET. The Michigan English Test: Minimum overall B2 level
· iTEP Academic: Minimum overall score of 3.5
· EIKEN: Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1
OR
3. Accuplacer
For mature (≥ 19 years) students who are facing barriers and cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education.
Applicant must be 19 years or older at the start of the program and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and provides attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary instruction in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages (please refer to Countries where English is the language of instruction).
Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation) and achieves the following minimum scores required:
· Reading: 230
· Writing: 230
· WritePlacer: 4
For more information on our English language program-specific requirements and English equivalencies please click here: Sprott Shaw College English Language Requirements and Equivalents
Certificate Requirements:
- 60% average upon successful completion of all courses, including courses given a complete.
Students can expect to complete 1 – 3 hours of homework per day.
Contact Us Today!
Our advisors are happy to answer any questions.
Courses List
This 41 week Certificate program requires the student to complete the following courses.- Learn effective study skills, time management, and goal setting.
- Understand college policies, technology, and expectations.
- Apply organization, writing, and citation techniques.
- Develop self-care and stress-management strategies for success.
Strategies for Student Success:
- Interview techniques
- Create a Career Development Marketing Plan
- Apply aspects of professionalism
- Identify target markets and employment resources
- Management fundamentals
- Cost and pricing strategies
- Sanitation and safety
- Menu management
- Understand the roles of destination management organizations and convention and visitors bureaus play in the tourism industry
- All aspects of organization operations are covered
- Hotel organization, front office
- Effective techniques
- Selling the dream
- Resort development
- Economic issues
- Meetings & conventions market
- Food service & service-related issues
- Four-week practicum (minimum 20 hours per week)
- Overview of the tourism industry
- Economic, environmental, cultural and social aspects of tourism
- Overview of how industry sectors interconnect to provide products and services to tourists
- Increase learners awareness and sensitivity of their own and others values and value systems in order to communicate and understand other cultures
- Overview of culture-general and culture-specific fundamentals and how they apply to tourism
- Introduction to cultural sustainability
- Africa, Middle East, and Asia
- Risks associated with the business of tourism
- Legal responsibilities of tourism managers and operators
- Fundamentals of Canadian law and legal systems as they relate to tourism
- Railways of the world and rail tour terminology
- Car rental procedures and motor coach transportation
- Insurance-related to car rentals
- Terminology
- Selling cruises
- Itinerary planning
- Insurance
- Tour terminology
- International and domestic itineraries
- Airline accounting - BSP
- Ticketing functions and related documents


