The AHLA understands the difficulties related to finding, hiring and retaining valuable employees in today’s labour market. These are some resources that can help you effectively recruit and retain staff:
CANDORA Society of Edmonton supports individuals living in the Beverly, Abbottsfield, and Rundle communities by providing free community-based programs and outreach, including employment supports. Clients within our programs are ready and willing to work in hotels.
Contact:
John | john@candorasociety.com
Location:
Edmonton and Surrounding Area
The Hallway Café provides 17-week employment readiness training to vulnerable youth in the Edmonton area. Youth are given the chance to gain valuable skills while working in a teaching kitchen preparing fresh meals for our patrons and catering clients. Upon graduation from the program, these youth are ready and eager to find jobs in the culinary and hospitality sector.
Contact:
Holly O’Brien | HOBrien@hallway.cafe
Location:
Edmonton and Surrounding Area
The Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative (MCHB) empowers individuals and families from culturally and racially diverse communities by providing holistic, culturally responsive support through its unique cultural brokering model.
Through its language training and employment preparation, MCHB helps newcomers build the skills, confidence, and workplace knowledge needed to succeed in Alberta's hospitality and service sectors. Working in partnership with employers, MCHB supports inclusive workforce development while helping businesses access diverse, job-ready talent and create welcoming workplaces where everyone can thrive.
Contact:
Judy Sillito | Judy@mchb.org
Location:
Alberta, province wide
Newcomer Centre offers a variety of programs to help Newcomers find work, learn English and get involved in their communities. Contact us today and learn how you can hire a qualified candidate at your hotel.
Contact:
Laurie Hauer | lhauer@newcomercentre.com
Location:
Edmonton and Surrounding Area
The Immigrant Education Society (TIES) connects you with trained, pre-screened candidates ready to step into frontline hospitality roles.
Through the Hospitality Ready training program, jobseekers prepare for employment in Calgary's hotel and lodging sector. Save time, reduce recruitment costs, and strengthen retention. With 9 weeks of industry-focused training, including courses from TourismWorks, our candidates gain a strong foundation in hotel operations, customer service, workplace culture, and safety standards.
Hire confidently with a place before you employ option. Assess on-the-job fit through a 100-hour practicum placement before making a hiring decision.
Visit the Hospitality Ready: Employment Training for Frontline Careers page for more details.
Contact
Connect with Allie at AllieIvanova@immigrant-education.ca for hiring opportunities or practicum placements.
Location:
Calgary and Surrounding Area
Founded in 1994, Esquao, the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women, is a provincial Indigenous women's organization dedicated to supporting, empowering, and advancing Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people across Alberta. Through advocacy, education, employment supports, cultural programming, leadership development, and community engagement, Esquao works to create opportunities that strengthen individuals, families, and communities.
Who We Support & How We Work with Employers
Esquao supports a diverse range of clients while helping employers connect with talent and build inclusive workplaces.
Who we support:
How we support talent and employers:
Contact:
Amanda Remo
Location:
Province-Wide Reach
Alison Langford, the AHLA’s workforce specialist, could represent your hotel at these events:
If you are interested in participating in these Destination Canada events through the AHLA, please email wehelphotels@ahla.ca. Registration is now open for online and in-person events in Tunisia and France
Changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program that came into effect on September 26, 2024:
If you're offering a wage to a temporary foreign worker (TFW) that’s:
Starting November 8, 2024, the wage threshold used to determine the high-wage or low-wage stream will be increased by 20%. The median hourly wages as of June 27, 2025 was $36.00.
Learn more with these resources:
*Please note the AHLA is not a recruitment agency. Please contact wehelphotels@ahla.ca to inquire about Immigration and recruitment consultants through our Associate and Preferred vendor program.
Hiring International Talent
Applying to hire an international worker can seem intimidating, particularly if you do a deep-dive straight into the legalistic language on application sites—but for the most part, the programs aren’t as complex as they might seem. Tourism HR Canada has created a series of infographics that cover tips and resources to help you meet your staffing needs.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
You can hire a foreign worker to fill a permanent position and support them in their application for permanent residence.
How to access global talent – Canada.ca
IRCC Outreach Officer Network
For help navigating the immigration system email IRCC.DNEngagement@cic.gc.ca.
Government of Canada
Internationally trained workers have training and experience gained outside Canada, and represent a valuable source of skills and talent and a growing proportion of Canada’s talent pool.
Employer’s Roadmap to hiring and retaining internationally trained workers
Recruitment and Advertising (Low Wage)
Recruitment and Advertising (High Wage/ Dual Intent)
More resources are available at www.canada.ca/immigration.