For winter tourism in BC, go2 says there is “no business like snow business”. To address the need for more workers in this sector, go2 has partnered with Canada West Ski Areas Association (CWSAA) to help promote careers and to recruit for the coming season.
The partnership includes the launch of a new web portal that is accessible from go2’s website, snowsports.go2hr.ca. Along with detailed information about the industry, it showcases the need for workers in areas outside of traditional “boards and poles” positions such as operations, sales, marketing, accounting, human resources, trades, and general business management. Information on resort job fairs, job descriptions, compensation information, and links to CWSAA member websites, including those located in other provinces, is also provided.
In early December, go2 and representatives from Cypress Mountain and Mt. Washington attended all-day career fairs in Abbotsford and Victoria. Overall, these fairs were a huge success. Students crowded around a highly engaging Snowsports video that highlighted the many perks of working in an industry that is full of energy and excitement. Eager crowds also formed as a result of the many giveaways items available including stickers, mugs, t-shirts and chapsticks, as well as the prize draw for a chance to win free lift tickets. As these crowds formed, it was a perfect opportunity to engage the students in discussions about how to become part of the Snowsports industry and what opportunities exist for them within this exciting industry!
With more than 500 students coming by the booths over the course of the day, Kate Dodd from Mt. Washington felt that, "Attendance at the fair was great – it meant there was a lot of opportunity to recruit as well as plant the seed about the possibility of working in the Snowsports industry. Mt. Washington will definitely consider attending again next year."
Kim Bush, HR Manager at Cypress Mountain also stresses that, "These fairs are a valuable opportunity to share with students the many different viable career opportunities within the Snowsports industry. Not to mention, this was also a great recruiting opportunity for our resort!"
Two career fairs also took place at the end of January in Vancouver and Kelowna with representatives from Big White, Crystal Mountain, Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain, Mt. Baldy, Seymour Mountain, Silver Star and Whistler Blackcomb all in attendance. Both fairs were a great success with more than 1000 students visiting the booths, expressing a great interest in the Snowsports industry!
Representatives from Cypress Mountain and Whistler Blackcomb were also on hand to help encourage students to join the Snowsports industry at 4th Annual Richmond District’s Career Options Fair on March 1st.
In total, the five career fairs that go2 attended with representatives from Canada West Ski Areas Association were a great success, in large part to the support, expertise and enthusiasm of the CWSAA representatives. Their energy helped increase the knowledge of the diverse career opportunities available in the Tourism and the Snowsports industry. They also inspired many to start looking for a job at their local mountains!
We would like to thank all of the career fair participants who visited our booth to learn about the tourism industry and especially to our valued CWSAA volunteers!
Links to our valued industry partners and contributors who helped make these career fairs a success!
