Pre-Employment Programs
Guest Services Representative
Programs open for applications are listed on the right hand side of this page as an “Apply Now” button. To find out if this program will be offered near you in the future, please contact your local JobConnections Centre.
Program Description
The Guest Services Representative program will prepare students to enter a wide range of hotel operations positions including reservation sales, front desk, tourism visitor information, housekeeping/ custodial, and night audit. Students will develop their job skills and trade readiness so that they will be able to find entry level work. This program will provide students with an understanding of the many job possibilities and related requirements for employment in the tourism sector. This program will provide broad foundational training for graduates. This can make them more adaptable to different work settings, give them wider perspective to solve problems on the job, and work adaptively in a wide range of occupations. On successful completion of the program, students will be well equipped with skills applicable to a broad variety of careers, and life essential skills.
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Math Credit at the indicated grade level 10
- Science Credit at the indicated grade level 10
- Applicants with a lower level may be considered depending on their experience and may be subject to an academic assessment for placement.
- Registered with SIIT Career Centre, and completed certificates (SCOT)
Industry Requirements
- Include good eyesight, hearing, manual dexterity, and physical agility
Acceptance Policy
Strong preference is given to applicants who are Status First Nations, but SIIT programs are open to anyone.
English Language Benchmark
SIIT is not currently legislated to accept International Students. You must be a Canadian/ Permanent Resident to apply.
To be admitted into this program you must be able to understand and communicate in English (Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment of six – CLB6).
Courses
Code | Course Title |
---|---|
GSCI 101 | Workplace Essentials |
GSAC 100 | Front Desk Operations |
GSAC 110 | Reservation Sale |
GSAC 120 | Housekeeping Practices |
GSAC 131 | Tourism Project |
GSAC 145 | Retail Sales |
SCSC 100 | Safety and Customer Service Certification |
GSCI 101 | Work Placement |
Tuition, Fees, and Funding
Funding
Depending on your status, different forms of financial assistance are available to you. Please click here to explore options for funding. If you require assistance finding funding, please contact supportservices@siit.ca.
What to Expect
Length of Program
The length of the Guest Services Representative program is 12 weeks full-time/60day (360 hours)
Delivery Method
This program will consist of instructor-led classes which will encompass the theory of each course, and will include lectures, discussions, assignments, in-class review topics, and hands-on shop experience.
All participants write a nation Workplace Essentials exam. Each course is evaluated with a provincial level exam or project, and collaborative performance evaluations between the student and instructor. Participants can challenge one (1) national exam in either the Reservation Sales Agent, or Front Desk Agent occupational area. Successful completion of this exam functions as credit toward journeyperson status but is not required for graduation or employment. Students need to complete all courses in order to successfully complete the program.
Academic Policy
Students attending must adhere to SIIT Academic & Student policies, which are available on the student dashboard on the SIIT website.
Attendance Policy
- Regular attendance is essential for academic success. Each program has specific attendance requirements that must be adhered to in order to graduate. In order to graduate from this program, an attendance rate of 90% or better is required.
- If you have been approved for funding, you must maintain the attendance required by your sponsoring agency to remain eligible to receive payment.
Evaluation
This program is based on a 70% assessment model. A course passing mark is 60% and a passing overall mark is 70%. Students must successfully complete each course to complete the program.
Graduation Requirements and Credential
You must maintain an attendance of 90% to graduate. All participants write a national Workplace Essentials exam. Each course is evaluated with a provincial level exam or project, and collaborative performance evaluations between the student and instructor. Participants have the opportunity to challenge one (1) national exam in either the Reservation Sales Agent, or Front Desk Agent occupational area. Successful completion of this exam functions as credit toward journeyperson status but is not required for graduation or employment.
Graduates will receive a Guest Services Representative Applied Certificate.
Graduates may be eligible for enrollment in a Guest Services Representative Apprenticeship Project with Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council/Tourism Saskatchewan. Click here for details.
Career Opportunities
Career Opportunities & Salaries
Graduates of this program can expect to find entry level work in a variety of occupations, including: front desk, reservation sales, housekeeping/ custodial, night audit, and tourism visitor information. Graduates of this program can find employment in hotels and a wide range of other businesses in the tourism sector.
People working in this trade promote, sell and book accommodation products and services; make room reservations, register arriving guests, assign rooms, present statements of charges to departing guests and receive payment; answer inquiries regarding hotel services and registrations by letter, telephone and in person, and respond to guests’ complaints; compile and check daily record sheets, guest accounts, receipts and vouchers using computerized or manual systems; and clean rooms, banquet rooms, and other areas of hotel properties.
In Saskatchewan, there are a range of occupations included under the job title “Guest Services Representative” with a range of average annual salaries (see here). These occupations are generally in high demand.
For assistance finding employment, please contact your local SIIT JobConnections.
Apprenticeship Opportunities and Licensing Requirements
To graduate from each level of an apprenticeship program, an apprentice must successfully complete the required technical training and compile enough on-the-job experience to total at least 1800 hours each year. Total trade time required is 7200 hours and at least 4 years in the trade.
Upon completion of their apprenticeship and required industry experience, apprentices may write the Interprovincial Journeyperson Examination and obtain a Red Seal.
For additional information on the apprenticeship process for Guest Services Representatives in Saskatchewan, click here.
Support for apprentices is available through SIIT’s Joint Training Committee (JTC). The SIIT Joint Training Committee (JTC) has been building careers in skilled trades since 1998! The JTC supports qualified Indigenous individuals to enter the trades as apprentices, complete trade levels, and become Journeypersons. Indenture Fees are paid by the JTC. Services are available province wide.
Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies
Head Office
Suite 100-103A Packham Avenue
Asimakaniseekan Askiy Reserve
Saskatoon, SK S7N 4K4
306-244-4444