Tourism HR Resources for Employers and Job Seekers in
Thompson Okanagan

The Thompson Okanagan region comprises a large number of seasonal businesses, which prevents you from offering year-round, full-time opportunities to stellar employees. It’s also challenging for you to entice seasonal workers to return year after year.

Where are you going to find workers to fill your openings? Do you have the resources, structure or tools to implement an effective human resource program that can engage employees in the long run? Explore a myriad of tips and articles that will help you attract qualified candidates and keep current employees happy and satisfied.

Employee training and development has a direct impact on improving customer service, productivity, consistency, staff morale, and sales. Investing in staff training is also a way to keep the superstar employees, making sure they are equipped with the right skill sets, certification and training for their positions.

Don’t forget to hear from businesses in your region that have successfully applied sound HR practices and have benefited from it:
Borrowing a Page from Oil and Gas: Creative Staff Housing Solutions in Sun Peaks
Delta Grand Okanagan Resort and Conference Centre Leverages the Local Demographics
Manteo Resort’s Success: Hire Carefully and Listen to Your Employees

Need help finding housing for your staff? Check out Happipad, a rental assistance service that helps companies find rental housing for employees.

Given the breadth of the industry, education requirements vary greatly, but many entry-level positions in the tourism industry do not require formal education or a degree.

Even though specific education might not be required, the more training you have, the more skills you can bring to help grow a tourism employer’s business, thus increasing your chances of landing that job you want. BC has many excellent education programs, including apprenticeship training, and tourism and hospitality programs that will help you earn certificates, diplomas and degrees. Click here for a map of secondary and post-secondary schools in your region.

Looking to connect with local tourism and hospitality students and instructors in BC and across Canada? Check out our database: https://www.go2hr.ca/articles/post-your-jobs-colleges-across-canada

In some cases, specific industry certifications are needed and are considered some of the basic job requirements. For example:

• SuperHost: customer service training for front-line staff.
• FOODSAFE: Required for foodservice workers to learn about the dangers and prevention of food poisoning. This course is available online,    by distance education or in a classroom setting. We offer the distance education version of FOODSAFE Level 1.
• Foundations of Workplace Safety Course: an interactive online course designed specifically for young and new workers, covering employer and worker rights and responsibilities, common workplace hazards, and WHMIS basics.
• Serving It Right: BC’s mandatory self-study program for the responsible service of alcohol.
• Special Event Server: BC’s responsible beverage service program for serving alcohol at special events.

Whether you are a large or small business, a strong commitment to safety sets you apart as an employer of choice and inspires confidence from your current and future employees.

Participation in the Certificate of Recognition (COR) Program – an occupational health and safety audit and certification program – offers many benefits, including financial incentives from WorkSafeBC, improvement on employee morale and productivity, thus building a positive corporate image. Small employers with fewer than 20 employees can participate in the Small Employers COR (SECOR) program, which has a slightly different process and audit tool that takes into account the size of the operation in order to increase small employers’ success.

To get started, check out the Resource Library to download customizable tools and checklists for your health & safety program. If you have any questions, reach out to your regional Industry Health and Safety Specialist, Stephanie Mallalieu, who can provide you with one-on-one assistance in your program. Contact Stephanie at smallalieu@go2hr.ca or call 604-633-9787 ext. 220.

Looking to connect with local tourism and hospitality students and instructors in BC and across Canada? Check out our database: https://www.go2hr.ca/articles/post-your-jobs-colleges-across-canada

The Thompson Okanagan region is located in Southern BC, and spans from the highest mountain peak in the Canadian Rockies, through plentiful orchards and brilliant vineyards, down to Canada’s only true desert, connecting with the USA border. From beach bum to ski bum, the Thompson Okanagan region is BC’s four-season destination.

In Thompson Okanagan, you can:

• Create a memorable experience serving a variety of local wines.
• Welcome guests to a relaxing lakefront or golf resort.
• Develop lasting friendships working at an exciting ski resort.
• Work on your tan while leading boat tours, parasailing rides, or epic zip-lining adventures.

From farm to table, prepare authentic meals with BC’s freshest ingredients at four diamond restaurants. The Career Explorer contains free career resources including profiles, job descriptions and job search tips.