Hospitality and Tourism SHSM
Explore how you can set goals and reflect on your experiences in the Hospitality & Tourism SHSM to not only earn your specialized diploma but also achieve the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Canada at the same time!
How you can link your SHSM experiences with Award Canada:
Hospitality and tourism certifications, culinary and event planning projects, customer service training, and industry placements in areas such as food service, tourism, or guest experience.
Example SMART Goal: Over the next 13 weeks, I will spend one hour a week enhancing my customer service skills through my SHSM hospitality placements, focusing on improving my catering skills, food preparation and food safety abilities.
Example Assessor: Hospitality Instructor or Placement Supervisor.
Example log for ORB: Attended a workshop on food safety regulations and best practices. Gained understanding of proper food handling techniques and sanitation procedures. I feel more confident in my ability to maintain a safe kitchen environment!
Physically active experiences such as food preparation, event setup, working in kitchens or service environments, and supporting tourism activities that involve movement, coordination, and teamwork.
Example SMART Goal: For the next 13 weeks, I will spend one hour per week focusing on improving my upper body and core strength through weekly paddling sessions.
Example Assessor: Canoe instructor or outdoor guide.
Example log for ORB: Completed an intense paddling session today, focusing on stroke power and endurance. My core strength has noticeably improved.
Volunteering through community events, cultural festivals, tourism initiatives, or hospitality-focused organizations that support guests, visitors, and community engagement.
Example SMART Goal: I will volunteer 1 hour weekly at a local food bank, helping with meal preparation and distribution to support those in need.
Example Assessor: Food bank supervisor.
Example log for ORB: Assisted with food distribution today, helping serve 50 people and gaining experience in organizing large-scale meal preparation.
(Completed as a team over 2 days and 1 night. Your team will plan, do, and review the journey together—learning through teamwork, challenge, and reflection.)
General Activity Description:
A hospitality and tourism exploration where your team travels on foot through a local area to visit key cultural sites, attractions, or tourism destinations. You’ll learn about customer experience, cultural tourism, and how the hospitality industry supports communities and visitors.
Example Team SMART Goal (Bronze – 2 Days, 1 Night):
As a team, we’ll complete a 2-day journey visiting at least three local tourism or hospitality sites. We’ll observe and document how visitors are supported, interact with staff or guests where possible, and reflect on how we worked together to plan and carry out the experience.
Example Assessor/Supervisor:
SHSM Lead Teacher, Hospitality or Tourism Industry Partner, or Approved Award Leader
Example Group Debrief (Progress-Focused):
Exploring tourism sites helped us understand how important customer experience is in hospitality. We improved at communicating as a team and staying organized while visiting different locations. Next time, we’d plan our route more carefully and prepare questions in advance to get more out of each visit.
Career Pathway
- Bakers 6332
- Butchers, meat cutters, and fishmongers – retail and wholesale 6331
- Chefs 6321
- Conference and event planners 1226
- Cooks 6322
- Accommodation service managers 0632
- Conference and event planners 1226
- Food service supervisors 6311
- Professional occupations in advertising, marketing, and public relations 1123
- Restaurant and food service managers 0631
- Travel counsellors 6521
- Biologists and related scientists 2121
- Dietitians and nutritionists 3132
- Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety 2263
- Professional occupations in advertising, marketing, and public relations 1123
- Airline ticket and service agents 6523
- Executive housekeepers 6312
- Food and beverage servers 6513
- Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, and related support occupations 6711
- Ground and water transport ticket agents, cargo service representatives, and related clerks 6524
- Hotel front desk clerks 6525
- Other customer and information services representatives 6552
- Other service support occupations 6742
- Pursers and flight attendants 6522
- Receptionists 1414
- Sales and account representatives – wholesale trade (non-technical) 6411
- Theatre, fashion, exhibit, and other creative designers 5243
