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About Tourism SkillsNet Ontario

Collaboration. Communications. Coordination.

Tourism SkillsNet Ontario (TSNO) is an alliance for collaboration, communication, and coordination, focused on tourism and hospitality workforce development and programming at a local level. Led by OTEC, TSNO builds community partnerships, helps businesses access resources and training, and advocates for local tourism and hospitality operators across the province.

The tourism sector is remarkably diverse, comprising five distinct but related industry groups: accommodation, food and beverage services, recreation and entertainment, transportation, and travel services. Although its widespread nature contributes to its undeniably strong impact on the economy and culture, it also presents unique challenges regarding workplace standards and best practices. The need is great for a unifying body to create Best-In-Class industry employment standards, attract and retain talent to the sector and strengthen opportunities for vulnerable populations.

TSNO is an alliance comprised of a Provincial Advisory Council and Regional Working Groups, connecting over 300 members from public, private, and nonprofit organizations interested in tourism and hospitality workforce development. This includes businesses, education institutions, municipalities, employment services providers, destination marketing organizations and regional tourism organizations (RTOs).

TSNO members map strategies to tackle key workforce development challenges, such as talent acquisition, retention and skills gaps, and advise on provincial advocacy efforts to maximize the inclusive economic potential of this sector at local and provincial levels.

Through TSNO, members are uniquely positioned to give visibility to local tourism and hospitality issues, provide input into training curricula and future initiatives, and harness cross-sector collaboration opportunities.

320

TSNO members

2018

TSNO active since

230+

Organizations

13

Regional groups members

2020

Active since

12

Representing organizations

18

Regional groups members

2020

Active since

15

Representing organizations

21

Regional groups members

2018

Active since

17

Representing organizations

20

Regional groups members

2018

Active since

16

Representing organizations

14

Regional groups members

2020

Active since

14

Representing organizations

20

Regional groups members

2020

Active since

20

Representing organizations

28

Regional groups members

2018

Active since

22

Representing organizations

18

Regional groups members

2018

Active since

15

Representing organizations

24

Regional groups members

2018

Active since

19

Representing organizations

17

Regional groups members

2020

Active since

13

Representing organizations

28

Regional groups members

2020

Active since

23

Representing organizations

16

Regional groups members

2018

Active since

15

Representing organizations

18

Regional groups members

2018

Active since

15

Representing organizations

26

Regional groups members

2020

Active since

20

Representing organizations

28

Regional groups members

--

Active since

23

Representing organizations

20

Regional groups members

2022

Active since

20

Representing organizations

16

Regional groups members

2022

Active since

16

Representing organizations

--

Regional groups members

--

Active since

--

Representing organizations

Strategic Priorities, Impact & Reach

Innovation and collaboration are essential to achieving our strategic priorities and achieving impact across Ontario’s tourism and hospitality sector, be it by harnessing the potential of new technologies, joining and creating partnerships, building awareness among local communities, or helping spread new ideas or replicating best practices that have the potential for making significant change.

TSNO was established to:

  1. Create Collaborations
  2. Make information accessible
  3. Addressing workforce skills gaps
  4. Innovate and the ability to scale them
  5. Make a robust case for change

Connecting people. Strengthening Communities.

Collective Impact:

  • 5 Regional Working Groups in 2018
  • 18 Regional Working Groups in 2023
  • Over 230 organizations are part of TSNO, delivering or promoting training solutions and building workforce skills
  • Between April 2021 and March 2022, 4,600 participants acquired industry-recognized credentials under TSNO strategic initiatives
  • Building local capacity – over 470 employers across Ontario offered job placements and nominated employees for training
  • Over 620 project partners collaborating to address workforce skills gaps