In an exciting new initiative for 2026–28, AWES is rolling out a project focused on helping Alberta’s hospitality employers better support the newcomers they hire. Our latest project, titled eHub for Hospitality: Strengthening Employer Capacity to Support Newcomers, is funded by the Government of Alberta and involves the development and delivery of practical online tools and learning resources targeted at hospitality employers, managers, and HR professionals across the province.
Meeting a Growing Need in Alberta’s Hospitality Sector
Alberta’s hospitality sector is one of the province’s largest employers of newcomers — hotels, restaurants, cafés, and resorts are often the first place newcomers gain Canadian work experience. With nearly 11,000 job vacancies recorded in Q2 2025 and a 6.5% vacancy rate — the highest of any industry in Alberta — hospitality businesses are increasingly reliant on newcomer workers. Yet many employers, particularly small and medium-sized businesses without dedicated HR departments, lack the tools and training to effectively support newcomers once they are hired. The result is a cycle of high turnover that is costly for businesses and unsettling for newcomer employees.
Tools and Training for Hospitality Employers
AWES is developing a suite of resources designed to help hotels, restaurants, cafés, and other hospitality businesses across Alberta communicate more clearly, onboard more effectively, and build workplaces where newcomers feel supported. All resources are available online through the AWES eLearning Hub at no cost, so employers can access them when it suits their schedule. Key supports will include:
- Practical strategies to communicate clearly with newcomer employees navigating language or cultural barriers in fast-paced hospitality environments.
- Modular learning opportunities — including live and recorded webinars, tip sheets, and eBooks — designed to fit around demanding hospitality schedules.
- An online Community of Practice where employers can connect with peers and AWES experts to share experiences, challenges, and solutions.
- Tools to help employers improve onboarding processes, support learning on the job, and create safe, welcoming workplaces that promote newcomer employees’ long-term career growth.
These resources will serve as a practical toolkit for hospitality employers — ensuring they are better equipped to retain newcomer staff and build stronger, more stable teams.
Long-Term Goals for Newcomer Success
The long-term goal of the project is to develop a suite of tools and resources for hospitality businesses across Alberta that will remain available through the project’s end in 2028, with the intention of exploring sustainable access options beyond that period. AWES’s ultimate aim is straightforward: when employers are better equipped to communicate clearly, onboard effectively, and lead inclusively, businesses run better and newcomers thrive — fostering a stronger, more inclusive hospitality sector across the province.
Stay tuned for more information on training dates and program details!
Questions? Contact AWES Business Development and Project Lead, Leila Samahnejad at leila@awes.ca | 587-601-5945.