The move reflects a trend reported by The PIE News last year of language teaching providers repositioning their product offering to enable their clients to gain attractive paid work experience while studying.

Tamwood Careers is a BC PCTIA certified college that already operates in Vancouver. The initial course offering in Whistler will be a diploma or certificate course in Tourism, Hospitality and Customer Service.

“Within our international market many students are now looking for study and work opportunities that offer practical experience for their future careers”

Students enrolled and accepted onto this 26 or 48 week programme will be training for careers in tourism and hospitality, and will be able to work while completing their studies.

Those taking the 48 week diploma programme will do a 24 week job practicum to gain experience and training.

“Whistler is the perfect location to offer this course focused on customer service,” said CEO, Matt Collingwood.

“Studies have shown that within our international market many students are now looking for study and work opportunities that offer practical experience for their future careers.”

Shelley Quinn, manager of Tamwood Language Centre and Tamwood Careers in Whistler, explained, “We will be focusing on skills that can be used not only in the tourism industry, but in almost any career, so that our graduates are more prepared to enter the global workforce of today.”

Tamwood Careers is open to international and Canadian students aged 19 and older, and will be the first course of its kind offered in Whistler.