"International Hospitality" was the theme of the official opening of the Atlantic Tourism and Hospitality Institute (ATHI), an affiliate of Holland College. The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Labour, on behalf of the Honourable Pierre S. Pettigrew, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada; the Honourable Fred J. Mifflin, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency; the Honourable Pat Binns, Premier of Prince Edward Island; Carolyn J. Clark, Vice-president of Human Resources for Canadian Pacific Hotels; and Robert F. McGee, Chair of the Board of Governors of Holland College, participated in the opening ceremonies.
This project has established a training institute which attracts students from the Atlantic region, other parts of Canada, and abroad. As a result, 31 full-time jobs have been created and 29 existing jobs have been maintained in the Charlottetown area. The Atlantic Tourism and Hospitality Institute offers programs which focus on various facets of the tourism and hospitality industry from culinary arts to golf management. Students completing the programs are prepared to fill positions anywhere in the world.
"The work of the Atlantic Tourism and Hospitality Institute is an investment in the future of our tourism industry, an investment that has been made possible through partnership," said Minister MacAulay. "By working together on initiatives such as this one, we can all be much more effective than if we were trying to carry them out individually."
"In a time when tourism is a fast-growing industry around the world, it is essential that skilled people are available to provide tourism, hospitality and culinary services. This facility secures a leadership role for PEI in educating people for the hospitality industry," said Premier Binns. "ATHI allows Island students, as well as students from other provinces and countries, to become highly skilled in a sector demanding top quality, service-oriented employees."
"The consolidation of programs and services provides students with high quality opportunities for a dynamic educational experience," said Mr. McGee.
The Institute currently provides over 400 full-time and 700 part-time students with a learning environment which simulates a tourism and hospitality culture. Students from different disciplines bring their experience and knowledge to create an environment where different perspectives are shared. Students are also exposed to real situations where they gain hands-on experience in the Institute's meeting rooms, dining room and cafeteria, all of which are open to the public.
"Tourism is a global industry, and it is important that service be world-class," said Ms. Clark. "The expectations of today's tourists are higher, and the Atlantic Tourism and Hospitality Institute provides training programs designed to meet those expectations."
Through the Canada/Prince Edward Island Regional Economic Development Agreement, ACOA provided the Institute with $2,200,000 in funding and the PEI Department of Economic Development and Tourism provided $300,000 in funding. Human Resources Development Canada provided $1,000,000 through the Transitional Jobs Fund. Enterprise PEI provided a $1,000,000 repayable loan, and the site of the Institute was provided by the PEI Department of Transportation and Public Works. The total value of the project is $11.6 million.
The Transitional Jobs Fund promotes economic growth and employment in areas of high unemployment. The fund is designed to encourage partnership initiatives with other levels of government, the private sector and community groups.