Gain skills and knowledge to work in retail and hospitality through practical experience in community-based work settings. Intended for students with cognitive disabilities or a combination of learning difficulties that may hinder academic success.
Do you want to gain work experience in the retail, tourism and service sectors? Our new Retail and Service Careers Certificate is launching in September 2025! For more information, contact our Employment Access and Skills Development department at easd@vcc.ca.
This program is no longer offered.
This program is no longer offered.
Retail and Hospitality Careers
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What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Apply organizational and time management skills to meet the demands of the service industry.
- Apply FOODSAFE™ and worker safety principles consistently when working in a service industry workplace.
- Interact with customers, co-workers and supervisors in a polite and professional manner using appropriate workplace communication skills.
- Conduct themselves in a professional manner in the workplace, consistent with industry standards.
- Differentiate among a wide variety of workplace opportunities in retail and hospitality industry.
- Apply basic knowledge of the equipment and procedures in a service industry.
- Perform skills specific to industry in an independent and reliable manner.
- Accurately use knowledge of industry terms, products, principles and skills.
- Describe industry groups and customer profiles within industry sectors.
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
The Retail and Hospitality Careers Certificate is a full-time program. It is thirty-eight (38) weeks in length, with twenty-six (26) weeks of classroom/lab/industry orientation and training, and twelve (12) weeks of workplace experience placements.
The Retail and Hospitality Certificate provides a supportive environment in which students receive skills training and information in preparation for entry level positions in the retail or hospitality industries. Instructional strategies include, but are not limited to, lecture, classroom discussion, demonstrations, experiential learning and practice.
The program begins with an orientation and introduction to basic job readiness skills, industry orientation, Worker Safety, FOODSAFE™, Serving it Right and industry awareness. Students progress from a general retail and hospitality careers introduction to a specific skill set focus in either the retail or hospitality industry. Classroom/lab learning components then alternate with three supervised workplace experience placements.
The first placement is two (2) weeks in duration, in either the retail or hospitality sector. Location of the work experience is at the discretion of the program faculty. The goal of this placement is to allow the student and instructor(s) to identify skill strengths and sector focus. Work Experiences 2 and 3 are each five (5) weeks in length and are in either the retail foods or hospitality sectors. The twelve (12) weeks of work experience placements allow students to benefit from a realistic and practical exposure to the workplace. Retail and Hospitality Careers Certificate faculty work closely with students to determine strengths and abilities when choosing work experience sites. Faculty also provide ongoing support to students during work experience placements.
Instruction is delivered for certification in FOODSAFE Level 1™, First Aid/CPR training, WHMIS and Serving It Right™.
Experiential learning and ongoing practice of skills occur throughout the program, on campus, in the teaching lab/classroom, during industry tours, as well as during the work experience placements in the retail and hospitality careers.
Students participate in two formal planning meetings and an exit interview with program faculty. The planning meetings assist students in identifying strengths, areas of improvement, areas requiring further improvement, and suggest strategies for success. The exit interview reviews students’ success, expectations, and outcomes. Students’ attendance at the planning meeting is mandatory, and students may choose to invite family, and/or support persons to participate in their meeting.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
- Admission is based on two (2) screening interviews:
- The first screening interview is with the CACE Student Services Assistant for students with Disabilities to determine the applicant’s suitability for the program, according to an admission checklist.
- If the applicant is successful in the first interview, they will have a second interview with the Retail and Hospitality Careers faculty, including a hands-on assessment.
- Interviews are documented and a checklist is used to determine eligibility
- Applicants may be asked to sign a release of information so documentation can be provided to faculty to support the application
- Admissibility is based on the following criteria:
- Diagnosis or history that identifies difficulty with learning
- Comfort and tolerance in an alternative learning environment designed for students with diverse learning needs
- Previous career exploration that supports training in the retail or hospitality sectors
- Grade 5 reading level. If an applicant does not have documentation of reading level, an informal reading assessment will be administered to determine their functional reading level; applicants who do not meet the requirement will be considered based on department approval
- Ability and willingness to travel independently to the college and workplace
- A checklist is used to document behaviours, emotional problems, or medical conditions that could significantly impair learning or compromise the safety of the student and/or others
- Independently manage own medication
- Demonstrate appropriate personal hygiene, and have the ability to independently attend to personal care needs
- Desire and willingness to work in the retail and/or hospitality sectors, and perform tasks in an efficient and timely manner
- Ability to attend classroom and work experience on a fulltime basis
- Demonstrate the skills and willingness to perform program related tasks with strength and endurance
- Good finger and hand dexterity
Upon Acceptance
- Students in the program may be required to complete a Criminal Record Check (CRC) prior to their work experience placement. The CRC must be completed according to VCC's Criminal Record Check instructions. Students whose CRC results indicate they pose a risk to vulnerable populations will not be able to complete the requirements of the program (e.g. work experiences) or graduate. Consult with the department at the start of your program to determine whether or not a Criminal Record Check will be required.
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
Recommended Characteristics
- sincere motivation to work
- a mature attitude
- stable living situation
- ability to operate independently in the community without supervision
- have a community support network
- ability to work in a demanding and busy work environment under stress or pressure
- ability to work flexible hours (early morning and late evenings) and weekend shifts
Courses *
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| REHC 0601 | Student Success | 1 |
| REHC 0602 | Workplace Skills | 3 |
| REHC 0603 | Workplace Communication | 3 |
| REHC 0604 | Health and Safety | 2 |
| REHC 0605 | FOODSAFE Level 1 | 2 |
| REHC 0606 | Exploring the Options | 5 |
| REHC 0607 | Retail Specialization | 10 |
| or REHC 0608 | Hospitality Specialization | |
| REHC 0609 | Work Experience 1 for Retail and Hospitality Careers | 2 |
| REHC 0610 | Work Experience 2 for Retail and Hospitality Careers | 5 |
| REHC 0611 | Work Experience 3 for Retail and Hospitality Careers | 5 |
| Total Credits | 38 | |
This guide is intended as a general guideline only. The college reserves the right to make changes as appropriate.
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Discover Open Studies
Open Studies lets you take courses from credit programs without having to be accepted into one. Based on availability, you can sample different courses, earn credits, and build new skills.
Explore your optionsFees and other costs *
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 36 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 1867 | |
| Student union | 64 | |
| College initiative | 108 | |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 75 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical and Dental | 0 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 398 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
Textbooks or other supplies may be required for this program. For information and prices please contact cace@vcc.ca.
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a $300 non-refundable deposit.
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
Apply now
Are you interested in this program?
- Sign up for an information session to learn about our Accessible Education and Training programs.
- After you have attended the information session, apply on EducationPlanner BC. You will need to know which program you would like to attend.
- After you apply, you will be contacted for an interview with an instructor. The instructor will help you determine the best option for you. Note: Applying does not guarantee you a seat in the course or program.
For more information or support with your application please contact easd@vcc.ca.
Get started
Attend an Information Session
Meet instructors, ask questions, and tour our facilities.