Canada's New Immigration Pilot Program
On World Refugee Day (June 20), Canada launched a new immigration pilot program intended to address employment concerns at Canadian hotels, as well as provide newcomers with more opportunities. The program is expected to connect immigrants to Canadian hotel jobs. The key players are Tourism HR Canada and the Hotel Association of Canada. They will receive nearly $7 million to run this 3-year project, which will assist up to 1,300 newcomers in gaining job experience. Between 200 and 600 hotels across Canada are expected to participate. The jobs will be offered in five Canadian regions:
- Atlantic Canada
- Southern Ontario
- Saskatoon and Regina
- Banff, Lake Louise and Southern Alberta
- The Yukon
Types of Canadian Hotel Jobs
If you’re interested, start by researching the different hotels in each of these locations. The immigrants participating in the pilot program will also have the opportunity to improve their English or French skills through informal learning and formal language training. To give you some idea of what kinds of Canadian hotel jobs may be available, here is a list and description of the most common hotel jobs in Canada:
Concierge: A concierge interacts directly with customers, providing guests with particular services they request and that the concierge anticipates they may need. These services could range from providing a babysitter to getting tickets to a show to suggesting a restaurant. At some hotels, this is an entry-level job. However, some luxury hotels require concierges to have years of hospitality experience. A concierge needs to be a problem solver with extensive customer-service skills who is unflappable and can handle difficult patrons.
Front Desk Receptionist: A front desk receptionist is primarily responsible for checking guests in and out of the hotel and addressing any issues that come up with respect to their room or their stay.
Guest Relations Manager: This job is all about customer service. It is a customer relations manager’s job to make sure that each guest is enjoying their stay and has everything they need. They will spend time addressing complaints and executing special services for guests. They’ll also be responsible for overseeing other employees in the hotel to ensure that they are providing the level of customer service required by the hotel.
Event Planner: Many hotels have conference rooms or event spaces that they rent out for various events, ranging from meetings to weddings. An event planner works with the company, or individual, to arrange the event and then ensures the event runs smoothly.
Housekeeper: Housekeepers are responsible for maintaining a standard of cleanliness throughout a hotel or other hospitality venue. They typically clean individual hotel rooms as well as the common areas. They make beds, do laundry, clean bathrooms, stock linens, and more. Being a housekeeper requires some physical stamina because you often have to lift heavy loads and be on your feet most of the day. There are many other jobs related to maintenance and cleaning in the hospitality industry. There are also opportunities for management positions within the fields of maintenance and cleaning.
Porter: Porters are tasked with handling baggage for guests. They might bring luggage up to guests’ rooms or down to the lobby. A porter is one of many support staff positions in the hospitality industry.
Valet: Another common position is that of valet (also known as parking lot attendant). A valet parks patrons’ cars when they come to a hotel, restaurant, or other venue.
Server: Servers work in restaurants, bars, hotels, casinos, and other food-serving establishments. They interact directly with customers taking orders, serving food and beverages, and accepting payments from patrons. While no formal education is required, servers must have strong interpersonal and communication skills. They also have to be detail-oriented because they need to remember customers’ orders, especially complicated drink orders. This job is ideal for people in the hospitality industry who want to engage with customers face-to-face.
Chefs and Cooks: Chefs and cooks are tasked with preparing all the food in the hotel’s restaurants and as ordered through room service. The responsibilities will vary depending on the level of the position. Head chef’s typically order all of the food, plan the meals, and prepare food in the kitchen. While it is not necessarily required, many head chefs have some training through a culinary school, technical school, community college, or a four-year college. On the other hand, cooks are primarily engaged in the actual preparation of the food. While a cook is considered an entry-level position, some level of cooking training is likely required for this position whether it has been obtained through an institution or on the job experience.
The details of the pilot program and its requirements are still to come but if it interests you, now would be a good time to start preparing your CV for Canadian hotel jobs. The hospitality industry is grounded in great customer service. So it would be strategic to ensure your resume really emphasizes your customer service experience.
