November 1, 2019
The Northwest Territories is home to a growing tourism industry that requires a skilled and dedicated workforce and growing and investing in a sustainable, professional, skilled and trained NWT tourism workforce is a key component of the GNWT’s Tourism 2020 strategy.
In September, six NWT tourism operators were selected, through ITI’s Tourism Business Mentorship Program, to receive expert mentorship from the globally recognized Canadian Executive Service Organization’s (CESO).
Now in its fourth year, ITI’s partnership with CESO matches individual tourism operators, as well as groups and communities, to mentors that can help expand skill sets in marketing, product development, product packaging and pricing, business planning, financial management, technology and more.
CESO’s National Director Stacia Kean was in Yellowknife in September and we took the opportunity to ask her more about the organization and its interest in the North.Related Stories:
(CESO National Director Stacia Kean)
How do YOU describe CESO?
We are a not-for-profit economic development engine that takes a people-centred approach. Our focus is investing and growing capacity in people.
And, how do you do that?
...through mentorships, coaching, technical support and advice - it depends on the context. Collectively, we are approximately 1200 volunteer advisors who have knowledge, skills and experience that we are looking to apply and invest in areas where it will contribute to community and economic growth.
So maybe a better question is who is CESO?
Certainly, it is our members that give us our depth of knowledge and expertise. Commonly, CESO volunteers have reached high levels in their careers. Individuals who have been leaders in the private sector, held senior positions in corporations, owned their own businesses; former politicians and retired public servants. We’ve been successfully matching our volunteers with clients and partners for over 50 years – even, I recently discovered, to assist bee keepers!
In all of that, is there a singular quality that you think characterizes CESO’s mentorships?
CESO’s experts devote their time and energy toward economic and social change. More than anything, we offer an outside perspective, an incredible breadth of experience and the deep and far-reaching networks of our volunteers.
Related Stories:
Yellowknife Sport Fishing Business Sees Success with Tourism Mentorship Program
Programs in Action: Pehdzeh Ki Woman Takes Next Step in Tourism Career
Is it fair to say that CESO has a unique affinity for the North?
CESO volunteers have worked in 122 countries worldwide but yes, almost 50% of our assignments in Canada have been in the North. It is a reflection of the need that exists, the successes that we have realized and our commitment and interest in assisting Indigenous communities and businesses.
Read more about the Canadian Executive Service Organization’s (CESO) or ITI’s Tourism Business Mentorship Program.