EASTERN SHORES SCHOOL BOARD / CENTRE DE SERVICES SCOLAIRE RENÉ-LÉVESQUE
Hotel Reception: a new bilingual professional training program!

The Eastern Shores School Board and the Centre de services scolaire René-Lévesque announced the joint implementation of a new bilingual training program in Hotel Reception. A première in Quebec!

This vocational training program, starting in February 2021, will lead to a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS). With an overall duration of 760 hours, it includes a 105-hour internship in a professional environment, allowing the students to put into practice the skills they have acquired and the opportunity to quickly integrate the job market. Two pedagogical consultants will accompany teaching teams of both organizations to ensure a smooth implementation of this new program in our region.

In the proposed formula, each of the school organizations is expected to offer half of the program's competencies. The cohort of students thus alternates between two training centers and continues its training in both French and English. Consequently, candidates will pass an assessment test of their second language skills. Other conditions of admission are described on the admissionFP.com website.

In the Gaspésie as elsewhere, the issue of the shortage of trained workers in tourism has been preoccupying the industry for several years now. Bilingualism, computer skills and respect for customer service standards are now essential aspects of working in the hotel industry. This training program will develop the competencies in relation with these challenges.

Simultaneously, vocational training centers have faced declining registrations and are exploring innovative scenarios of collaboration between institutions. Bringing together candidates from different educational organizations for the same program is an original solution! This collaboration between the Centre de services scolaire René-Lévesque and the Eastern Shores School Board will now make it possible to offer training in both French and English, thus providing a solution to the needs of the regional tourism industry.

The two school organizations involved in the project are proud of the progress made in the development and implementation of the program and hope that its success will pave the way for other co-managed projects.