Erin Beth, Outstanding Journeyperson in the Food and Beverage Person trade.

Erin received the Outstanding Journeyperson Award in the Food and Beverage Person Trade at the 18th annual Saskatchewan Apprenticeship Awards presentation and banquet, hosted by the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) in Regina, November 2, 2018.

The awards recognize journeypersons who achieve the highest marks on their journeyperson exams.

Erin has worked as a server and bartender at The Hotel Saskatchewan, Autograph Collection, in Regina, since completing her master's degree in experimental and applied psychology in 2010.

She has more than 15 years' experience in the food and beverage service industry.

Like many young people, Erin started serving while attending school.

"Actually, I did quite a few years of school," she says. "I did a couple degrees, and when I finished, I thought, 'you know, I really enjoy serving and I think I'll continue that for a while.' "

"I really enjoy it as a career, especially bartending. There's a lot of opportunity to be creative. I have one of my own creations on our cocktail menu, a sour cherry mojito made with sour cherries from Over the Hill Orchards in Lumsden."

The hotel encourages staff to certify in their occupations.

Erin enrolled in Tourism Saskatchewan's Apprenticeship Program as soon as her employer was able to offer the opportunity.

Erin says that people are surprised to learn that there's a journeyperson certification for food and beverage service.

"I find that a lot of people just look at food and beverage as something people do to get through school and maybe not so much as a professional career."

"This really opens their eyes, that this is something that people can do for a living, and not just until you get to something else."

"It’s more than just serving and bartending. I really like the fact that I now have a first aid certification and WHMIS. It's really multifaceted. I'm professionally certified in several areas."

Tourism provides a rewarding career, Erin says.

"Saskatchewan has so much to offer. I love to promote our province and let people know just all the many great things we have here."