Frequently Asked Questions & Answers ----------------
Q. What types of jobs will this program qualify me to do?
A. Graduates will be qualified to work as guides, assistant guides, outdoor recreation instructors, front-line workers, operations assistants, camp counsellors, administrative assistants, social programmers, children's camp leaders, rental/retail assistants, equipment maintainers, and naturalists. Past graduates have found work as: professional guides, leaders, instructors, coordinators and managers; and some have started their own ecotourism businesses.
Q. Are many jobs available in these lines of work?
A. According to go2, the resource for people in Tourism, adventure tourism and recreation is growing fast thanks to travel and tourism trends. Recent labour market studies project that the adventure tourism industry will need 13,100 new workers in B.C. by 2015. In the area of attractions, a key component of the tourism industry they project an additional demand for 8,000 new workers by 2015. Check out the Go2 website at www.go2hr.ca for more information on BC's Tourism Industry, Employment, Careers and Education.
Q. If after completing this program I want to advance my education in this field, will I receive credit for the courses towards a diploma or degree?
A. Yes, the program has been designed to ladder into the Provincial Management Tourism Diploma and the Bachelor of Tourism Management Degree. An articulation agreement is in place with the Thompson Rivers University to allow credit for NORE courses towards the Bachelor of Tourism Management and Adventure Guide Diploma programs.
Q. Can I take this course on a part time basis?
A. Yes, this course can be taken on a part-time basis, subject to seat availability. It is recommended that ECOT 155 be taken first, as this course is a prerequisite for all of the field studies options. A list of tuition fees for part-time students is available upon request.
Q. Is student accommodation available in Valemount?
A. Affordable housing is available within walking distance of the campus. The College will assist students in finding suitable accommodation by providing students with a list of contacts for rooms, apartments, and houses available for rent in the community.
Q. Do many students drop out of the program?
A. The instructors and staff at CNC place high priority on student success. As a result, more than 98% of the students who have started the program have completed it.
Q. What percentage of the program is spent in the field?
A. The program is broken down into approximately 45% in the field and 55% in class.
Q. How can I improve my chances of being accepted into the program?
A. If the program is oversubscribed, résumés will be reviewed to determine the applicants' experience in tourism and/or customer service, their level of knowledge and interest in natural history, and their experience and level of proficiency in outdoor recreation activities. You should keep a log of all outdoor recreation activities you participate in which should be submitted with your résumé. Become actively involved in nature and outdoor recreation clubs, and take tourism, nature, and outdoor recreation courses. Try to get work experience in a tourism operation. Be sure to outline all of these activities in your résumé.
Q. Which industry certificates does the program lead to?
A. The Mountain Parks Heritage Interpretation Association gives credit for its Group Management and Public Safety Certificate to NORE graduates.
ECOT 150 includes the SuperHost: Fundamentals and SuperHost: Service Across Cultures certificates.
ECOT 151 includes a nationally recognized Wilderness First Aid certification.
ECOT 170 uses Canadian Avalanche Association Recreational Avalanche Course Curriculum, and fulfills the prerequisite for the Canadian Avalanche Association Level 1 Avalanche Technician course.
ECOT 173 includes a provincially recognized snowmobile operator certificate.
ECOT 174 prepares students to write the British Columbia Freshwater Fishing Guide Examination.
ECOT 179 includes British Columbia Recreational Canoeing Association Flatwater certification. Qualified students will also receive the BCRCA Flatwater Instructor Certificate.
Q. How difficult are the technical skill courses?
A. Participants should be in fairly good physical condition and be capable of spending 6 to 8 hours outdoors in all types of weather performing moderately strenuous outdoor recreation activities. This program includes moderate physical activity for long periods of time including, but not limited to:
- hiking 20 km with an elevation gain of up to 1000 meters while carrying a daypack
- canoeing for a full day
- cross-country skiing up to 20 km
- snowshoeing in deep, alpine snow and digging snow pits
- spending a full day horseback riding
- running oars on a raft for extended periods
- carrying equipment such as canoes and backpacks
As this program focuses on ecotourism and soft adventure activities, it is not as physically demanding as the adventure tourism program, which focus on hard adventure.
Q. Is this program recognized in the industry?
A. Yes, this program was prepared based upon input from the industry, and the courses include or lead to industry certifications.
Q. Do I need to have my own skis, canoe, tent, avalanche gear?
A. No the College will supply all the large equipment. However, personal clothing and equipment is the student's responsibility. See detailed Equipment & Clothing.
Q. Does the program qualify for student loans or other funding?
A. Financial assistance may be available through Service Canada, First Nations Bands, the Metis Society, and through Canada Student Loans.
- for more information on Financial Aid, contact the College of New Caledonia 1-800-371-8111 ext. 5366.
- for more information on Student Loans, see the BC Student Aid website at www.aved.gov.bc.ca/studentaidbc, or research student loans in your home Province.
Q. Can students work while attending the program?
A. Due to the nature of outdoor recreation the program schedule changes frequently making it challenging to work and focus on your studies. If you choose to work you will need to be very organized, self motivated and able to 'change gears' to keep up with the program work load. The employer must also be flexible in order to accommodate the changing school schedule. However, in past years students have held part-time jobs while successfully completing the program.
Q. Who are the instructors?
A. The instructors meet all institutional academic requirements, have a background in general tourism and outdoor recreation, with specific depth of experience and knowledge in adventure tourism, and are fully certified by governing associations.
Q. How many students are accepted into the program?
A. We currently accept 16 students each year into the NORE program.
Q. Can International Students apply for this program?
A. Yes, we welcome international students. The NORE program is a great opportuntiy for those wishing to study abroad for their gap year. Students from Germany, Switzerland, Japan, South Africa, and the United Kingdom have graduated from the program. Upon graduation these students found employment in the industry here in Canada and some in their home countries.
Q. How many of the students find work in the tourism and ecotourism industry upon graduation?
A. Over 75% of students find employment in the industry.
Q. Can I start my own tourism/ecotourism business upon graduation?
A. Yes, in past students have started their own business in the industry. The program does include training in entrepreneurship and preparing a business plan, as well as written and oral business communication.
Q. What kind of community recreation and activities are available in Valemount?
A. There are organized activities such as hockey, curling, figure skating, yoga, dance, and karate. In addition there are community clubs such as the Friends of Valemount, Girl Guides and Scouts of Canada, Search & Rescue (PEP), and Legion and Lions clubs.
Q. What if I have more questions about the program?
A. Contact the Valemount Campus directly at 1-888-690-4422.
Photos: Thank you to Amanda Harvey, Andrew Laarz, Cora-Lee Sarasin, Florian Sharlock, Yasu Okabe, Jana Skerlak and H2O Photography for the use of their photos.
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