What's New 

16 New Hotels and a Shortage of Trained Employees  

In the past 4 years there have been 16 new hotels built in Manitoba. There are another 8 that will be opening in the next few years. With all of the new hotels entering the marketplace, there is an immediate and projected long-term shortage of skilled workers. New hotels are attracting employees from existing hotels, which is nothing new, but what is new is that there is a shortage of well-trained employees making the commitment to choose and work the Hospitality industry as a career.

Because of an identified need for a skilled workforce, the Manitoba Tourism Education Council has added a private vocational school. The Manitoba Training and Education Centre will deliver 6 to 8 week training programs based on national occupational standards and will also include First Aid/CRP with AED and WHMIS training. These comprehensive training programs will prepare future employees for careers in the Hospitality, Tourism and Retail industries in Manitoba. Graduates will come to businesses with education, a work practicum and transferable skills.  

Many hotels only have part-time positions available. Students of MTEC are able to train for one, two, three and even four occupations in a hotel. They can work in various departments and there will be a win-win situation for both the employee and the employer. Transferable skills that are based on actual classroom training with the curriculum based on occupational standards! An employer can offer full-time employment comprised of working in more than one department.   

With having the two associated organizations, we can continue offering training that will increase the skill level of managers, supervisors and front line employees currently working in the hospitality, tourism and retail industries as well as prepare future employees to work in these industries!

On September 23rd there was an explosion and fire at Apple Lane West Condominiums. One of the families directly affected, a mother and 3 children, was new to Winnipeg and displaced.  One phone call to the Holiday Inn Airport West resulted in the hotel donating a suite, complimentary for the family.

I personally want to thank the management of the Holiday Inn Airport West for assisting our complex during this horrific time.

Shannon Fontaine, CEO Manitoba Tourism Education Council

MTEC would like to thank all of the attendees at our Annual General Meeting that was held on September 17 at the Hilton Airport Suites. We would also like to thank our industry panel of Lorne Perrin, Vice President, Visitor Service & Earned Revenue, Assiniboine Park, Deborah Green, General Manager, Polo Park Shopping Centre and Lynne Skromeda, Executive Director Winnipeg Folk Festival, who all provided exciting highlights of the past year and updates for the future.

We would also like to congratulate the winners of this year's MTEC Awards:

The 2013 Award for Excellence in Leadership for Investing in Human Resource Development was awarded to Arctic Cooperatives Limited.

The 2013 Award for Excellence in Leadership for Investing in Customer Service Training was awarded to Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries.

The 2013 Award for Investing in a Safe Workplace was awarded to Santa Lucia Pizza Limited. 

Attention Event Coordinators & Planners!

It is an exciting time to be an event planner. Event planners are being called upon to develop and stage a number of events every year.

Whether you are new to the industry or established in your career, MTEC's 3- Part Training Series for Event Coordinators and Planners will provide the tools to assist you in planning an event from start to finish, covering areas such as administration, marketing, human resources, risk management and more!

This series will also be very beneficial for those of you who may not have the title of 'Event Planner', but you are the person in your organization who performs that function as part of your position, ie: organizing the annual golf tournament, AGM, conference, etc.  

The 3 part series was developed using the national occupational standards for event coordinator to provide those attending information on areas such as administration skills, marketing, event coordination, risk management, human resources, communication, and professionalism.  

A comprehensive emerit Event Coordinator Workbook, valued at $85.00 is included.

Our upcoming workshop series will be held on October 17, October 24 and October 31. For a registration form, please click here.   

For more information, contact Fiona Slikker, fslikker@mtec.mb.ca or call (204) 957-7437.

Visit the website at www.mtecvocationalschool.ca. 

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October & November Training

Keep Your Business Profitable - Invest Your Time In Training!

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Upcoming Safety Training