Program Overview

Program Overview

The Hospitality industry is growing fast – so fast that the industry is bracing for significant labour shortages. Thousands of jobs will be available across Canada for people with the right education, skills and attitude. From the front desk at a hotel or resort, to a food and beverage service position at a restaurant or club, or customer service positions in a wide variety of businesses, there will be many outstanding opportunities. If you enjoy travel, meeting new people, and have a passion for being a part of an industry that makes people happy, Hospitality Skills is a great place to start.

Intakes and Availability

• September 2025: Open (Domestic and International)
• January 2026: Suspended (Domestic and International)

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
• Grade 12 English (C or U)

Are you missing admission requirements? We are here to help.

Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math. Domestic applicants that are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s) i.e., Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.

DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on-campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:

• Grade 12 Math (MAP4C equivalent)
• Grade 12 English (ENG4C equivalent)
• Grade 11 Biology (SBI3C equivalent)
• Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH4C equivalent)

Tuition

• Year one domestic: $2,848 (CAD)
• Year one international: $15,434 (CAD)

Courses

Semester 1

• Communications for Business 1 (COMM 2204)
• Computers for Hospitality (COMP 1210)
• Customer Service (CSRV 2200)
• Food Safety and Sanitation (FOOD 1200)
• Food Preparation and Global Cuisine (FOOD 1202)
• Managing Teams and Leadership (HOSM 3200)
• Introduction to Tourism and Hospitality (HROM 1100)
• Culinary Nutrition (NUTR 2200)

Semester 2

• Accounting for Hospitality (ACCT 1208)
• Beverage Knowledge (BEV 2200)
• Career Planning (CAPL 4200)
• Restaurant and Beverage Operations (FOOD 2102)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• Hotel Operations (HOOP 2200)

Career Options

• Guest Service Representative
• Restaurant Server
• Concierge
• Front Office Clerk
• Sales Clerk
• Banquet Server
• Housekeepr
• Food & Beverage Server

Experiential Learning

• On-campus activities
• Student-focused special events
• Employment in the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food’s restaurant
• Helping with special projects

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Successful completion of the Hospitality Skills certificate program will provide opportunities for further study in the following Durham College two-year diploma programs:

• Hospitality – Hotel & Restaurant Operations Management
• Culinary Management
• Event Planning
• Tourism – Destination Marketing
• Business – Marketing

Tech Requirements

• Processor: i3
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1
• Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version)
• Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter
• Camera: Webcam/built-in camera
• Internet connection

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Provide hospitality service in a professional manner in order to increase customer satisfaction.
2. Identify and describe the various sectors of the Canadian tourism industry.
3. Use basic mathematic and monetary calculations to assist with the daily functions of a hospitality operation.
4. Assist in the development of marketing materials and in the implementation of a marketing plan for a hospitality operation.
5. Perform all work in compliance with relevant health and safety legislation and regulations, as well as with the professional and ethical requirements of the hospitality industry.
6. Plan and implement personal and professional development strategies related to the hospitality industry.
7. Use current technologies, systems, and computer applications to support daily functions of a hospitality operation.
8. Perform as an entry-level accommodation operations team member in both front and back of the house positions.
9. Explain the theories of food and beverage service and perform basic service tasks.