February 2022 CEO Update
Today, I am very proud to share a few new updates with you. Firstly, I am excited to share the results of the industry’s collaboration on a response to the labour crisis. Check out our BC Tourism and Hospitality’s Labour Recovery Framework (LRF) that represents the industry’s consensus on targeted priorities solutions to advance tourism and hospitality labour recovery, and fuel BC’s economic strategy. Built around six pillars, it’s a robust and comprehensive strategy and reflects broad industry collaboration. Now, we move into the important next step of communicating this vision broadly and securing support for its implementation. We would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge the key role that industry played in moving this initiative forward. I am grateful for the commitment and efforts of all the industry leaders that contributed their time and mind to this strategy. A sincere thank you to all involved. It was an energizing exercise, during a busy time, and demonstrated once again, we truly are stronger when working together.
One of the early successes we have seen from LFR is yesterday’s s announcement from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport (MTACS) who have generously funded a Regional HR Specialist initiative. This new program will see five regional HR specialists offer employers HR advisory services as well as drive HR best practices, initiatives and resources for employers across the province. This builds on the successful model initiative years back with a TOTA and go2HR partnership, the recent VCM HR specialist initiative. We’ve seen the positive impact that this type of direct support and we are very excited about this 2 yr. opportunity and ready work with our regional partners to position the program for results where needed. For the past 2 years, MTACS has been tirelessly advocating for our industry and we appreciate this continued investment in the industry’s most valuable asset, its people. We will take some time to plan and recruit and look for more details in the upcoming months.
A preview of what’s ahead at go2HR:
Over the last 8 months, with the support from Justice Canada and in collaboration with the industry, we have been working on an educational and awareness campaign around the issues of sexual harassment and violence in the workplace. As a society, we’ve markedly shifted our tolerance of this type of behaviour. Safer Spaces is what we are aspiring to create and we hope you will join us in the important initiative that will impact us all. Look to our social channels for more information as the team gets ready to launch this new program next month at the 2022 BC Tourism and Hospitality Conference in Richmond.
And speaking of conferences, I hope you have already registered for the upcoming BC Tourism and Hospitality industry conference next month. We are grateful to be involved in 2 sessions – one on workplace wellness with our partners WorkSafeBC and CMHA BC and the other on the industry are the workforces including hot off the press labour marketing information (LMI), our plan for labour recovery, a showcase of emerging initiatives. I really look forward to seeing you there in person!
Stay safe,
Krista