In partnership with The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, Together Project is pleased to announce The Ritz-Carlton Succeed Through Service Newcomer Hospitality Program for refugee newcomers. Through the generous support of the Ritz-Carlton Community Footprints team, this program will provide an introduction to the hospitality industry for 20 refugee newcomers ages 18 and above. The goal of this program is to help refugee newcomers increase their readiness for employment in the hospitality sector.

Classes will meet at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in downtown Toronto from 5:30 PM-8:00 PM on Monday evenings for six consecutive weeks beginning on July 15th and ending on August 26th (excluding the August 5th holiday). Participating refugee newcomers must have Canadian Language Benchmark English Language Level 5 or higher. Refugee newcomers from all countries of origin are encouraged to apply. This training is offered free of charge for qualified participants.

Applications are now being accepted and will be reviewed in order of receipt. The final deadline to apply is Wednesday, June 29th, 2019. To apply or for more information, please email Together Project Co-Director, Anna Hill, at anna@togetherproject.ca.

Application Guidelines: Email applications to the The Ritz-Carlton Succeed Through Service Newcomer Hospitality Program must consist of the following with an optional resume attachment:

• Letter of Interest: One email letter of interest in English from a potential program participant (please see complete requirements below).
• Letter of Recommendation: One letter of recommendation from an employment counsellor, settlement worker, language instructor, Together Project Welcome Group volunteer lead, or Private Sponsor volunteer, (please see complete requirements below).
• Optional Resume: in English.

Letter of Interest: In the Letter of Interest, applicants are encouraged to comment on the following:

• Willingness to arrive on time and participate in all trainings throughout the program duration
• Readiness to make necessary childcare requirements to attend trainings
• Financial readiness to pay transit fees necessary to attend trainings
• Willingness to review notes and make up work for any missed trainings
• Readiness to share an existing resume or to develop one as part of the program (please attach current resume in English).
• Prior experience that may be relevant to a future career in the hospitality industry
• Willingness to engage in a job search in the hotel service industry upon program completion.
• Willingness to coordinate program training schedule with ongoing ESL or LINC training.
• Willingness to appear in photographs, social media, video or other communications materials in relation to the program.

Letter of Recommendation:Potential program participants are asked to provide a letter of recommendation from an employment counselor, settlement worker, language instructor, a Together Project Welcome Group volunteer lead or a Private Sponsor volunteer, verifying the following:

• The applicant has the readiness, enthusiasm and determination necessary to successfully complete the program.
• The applicant has Canadian Language Benchmark English Language Level 5 or higher
• The applicant is age 18 or higher
• The applicant has been informed of the following:
• Alcohol is served in the hotel, though the applicant will not be required to serve or drink alcohol.
• Pork is served in the hotel, though the applicant will not be required to serve or eat pork.
• Hotel food is not halal.
• Participants may appear in photographs, social media, video or other communications materials in relation to the program.
• There is no guarantee of employment upon program completion though there will be a post-program mentorship to help successful graduates leverage program learnings to find employment within the Marriott Hotel franchise.

FAQ

Do participants need to be refugees?  Participants must have arrived in Canada as refugees. PSRs, BVORs, GARs and Protected Persons are eligible.

Do participants need to speak English fluently? They need Canadian Language Benchmark Level 5 or higher.

Will participants get a job afterwards? There is no guarantee of employment but they will be connected with a mentor from the Ritz Carlton Hotel staff who will remain available to them after the program to provide support for applications for entry level positions in the Marriott Franchise that includes more than 30 different hotel brands.

Is a hospitality background required for the program? No, there is no requirement in hospitality but participants should be able to envision working in one of the following hotel departments:

• Human Resources
• Sales & Marketing
• Bellman / Valet
• Front Desk
• Guest Relations
• Security / Loss Prevention (with a valid security license)
• Housekeeping
• Engineering
• Culinary
• Banquets
• Restaurant
• In-Room Dining
• Club Lounge
• Meetings and Special Events
• Spa
• Finance
• Purchasing

Is there a cost to the program? No, the program is free but participants need to be able to pay the cost of transit to and from the hotel on 7 consecutive Monday evenings beginning on July 15th and ending on August 26th (please note, there will be no class on Monday, Aug. 5th due to the statutory holiday). The program starts at 5:30 PM and ends at 8:00 PM. Location is The Ritz-Carlton Hotel at 181 Wellington Street in downtown Toronto.