Learning Hub FAQs

The ITTI program provides free tourism training for Indigenous individuals, businesses, and communities across British Columbia. The training covers various areas, all designed to support personal and professional growth.

Free tourism training is available for Indigenous people in BC, Indigenous tourism businesses with 51% or more Indigenous or First Nations ownership and their employees, Indigenous entrepreneurs, First Nations communities and their employees, and ITBC Stakeholders and their employees.

Key training areas related to the tourism industry have been identified, and workshops across these categories will be available throughout the program. Discover the key training areas here. ITBC will also consider requests for custom tourism training. Please email [email protected] with any questions.

The ITTI fully funds all tourism related training for eligible participants. The cost of the trainer, materials, venue and meals are included, but participants are responsible for their travel to and from the training location.

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport committed $2 million, and the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction committed $4 million to support the Indigenous Tourism Training Initiative until March 2026.

The Indigenous Tourism Training Initiative is set to run until March 2026.

To apply for a training opportunity, review your eligibility and explore the current training opportunities available. Find the best fit for you, your business or your community.

If your desired workshop is open for applications, submit the online application once for every participant. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, contact us. By submitting an application for a workshop, you are committing to attending the full course.

We encourage all participants to register themselves to ensure all contact information is correct and to ensure all participants are fully informed on the contents of the course and are committed to completing the training. If you are applying on behalf of your employees, please submit the application once per participant and ensure your employees attend the full training.

If your plans change and you are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing [email protected] so we can offer your spot to someone on the waitlist. Failure to attend a scheduled training session without prior notice may affect your eligibility for future training opportunities.

Failure to attend a scheduled training session without prior notice may affect your eligibility for future training opportunities. Repeated no-shows or missing key training sessions without communication could result in limited access to future funded training through the ITTI. This policy helps ensure that training opportunities are available to participants ready to fully engage and benefit from the programs.

Please email ITBC’s Training Team at [email protected] with any questions. You can also contact your ITBC training coordinator, the training provider or the training facilitator for urgent questions.

We partner with industry experts to deliver training. Depending on the subject, ITBC has vetted and selected facilitators to deliver training. ITBC’s in-house workshops are delivered by ITBC staff and qualified trainers.

Our priority is to deliver quality training, ideally from Indigenous-led providers residing in BC who specialize in Indigenous tourism.

We offer in-person workshops, online training sessions, self-paced online courses, certification courses, longer-term development programs, dedicated coaching, work placement opportunities and post-secondary micro-credentials. Check our course calendar for details on available formats.

Some (but not all) of our training programs offer certifications upon completion, giving you valuable credentials. However, all courses and workshops will provide new skills and insights that can help advance your career.

The length of each training session varies depending on the course. Some are one-day workshops, while others may span several days or include ongoing mentorship, coaching, or work placement opportunities.

Our training includes access to expert trainers, culturally centered resources, and ongoing support to ensure you get the most out of the experience. We also provide meals and other accommodations for in-person sessions to make your participation as easy as possible.