Education & Training
ATBC works closely with the BC Centre for Tourism Leadership and Innovation, the Native Education Centre and other institutions on First Nations tourism training and education initiatives. The BCTLI is the hub for a network of 18 colleges and universities offering tourism programs throughout BC and the Yukon. Its partners work together to promote best practices in tourism education while the BCTLI shares research findings, tourism knowledge and resources.
Creating education and tourism training opportunities for Aboriginal youth is also a priority for ATBC and its partners. ATBC, the Squamish Nation and the Government of BC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to expand the Squamish Youth Ambassador Program as a model for Aboriginal youth tourism training in other parts of British Columbia.
The Aboriginal Youth Ambassador (AYA) Program is offered through the BCTLI at Capilano College. Aboriginal youth receive a combination of in-class tourism education and on-the-job placements. The program gives youth an opportunity to discover, build and share their unique story at high profile tourism venues in a way that bridges the Native and non-Native worlds, delights visitors and fosters the Aboriginal leaders of tomorrow. The goal is to train 210 Aboriginal Youth Ambassadors in time for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
For more information on the many tourism education and training options available in British Columbia, check out the following useful links:
BC Centre for Tourism Leadership and Innovation
Aboriginal Youth Ambassador Program
Native Education Centre
go2, British Columbia's tourism industry's human resources association
