Many employers are hiring just in time for the Games; go2 offers resources for employers and job seekers to connect.
January 25, 2010, Vancouver, B.C. – As the Torch Relay crossed the border into BC, go2, BC’s tourism human resource association, hopes it will inspire people to apply for the many temporary job and volunteer opportunities still available during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
“We want people to know that it is not too late to join in the excitement by working or volunteering during the Olympic Winter Games. Many food and beverage, retail operators and others are still hiring staff to fill short-term roles,” says Arlene Keis, CEO of go2. “It’s an excellent opportunity for job seekers to help welcome the world while gaining valuable work experience. Some of these roles may also transition into longer-term positions as the tourism industry ramps up for the summer season.”
To help connect job seekers to employers for the 2010 Winter Games, go2 has set up a special section of its website: Tourism2010.go2hr.ca. The section offers employers information on workforce planning and recruitment tools such as a job board and resume database at no cost. go2 has also worked closely with tourism partners such as Tourism Richmond, Tourism Vancouver and the Whistler Chamber of Commerce conducting information sessions for employers and job seekers.
For Vancouver 2010 Winter Games job seekers, go2 provides a database where people can upload their resume, search for job opportunities and learn more about what it is like to work during a Winter Olympic Games. The section includes links to accommodation options and other relevant information as well.
Even though go2’s mandate is specifically for BC’s tourism sector, it is offering its many free resources to all employers including retail, logistics, parking companies and other sectors during this time. “A key part of creating amazing visitor experiences starts with great staff. If go2 can help employers in all sectors to be fully staffed during this time, we feel this will ultimately contribute to the long-term growth of BC’s tourism industry,” says Keis.
Recent labour market studies by go2 also show that the tourism industry will once again face labour shortages in BC, as early as 2010 in some regions. As such, go2 wishes to leverage the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games as an opportunity to showcase the longer term employment opportunities in tourism in the province.
About go2
go2 is BC’s tourism human resource association helping the industry to recruit, retain and train to support industry growth. Tourism is one of the largest industries in BC comprising 18,000 mostly small to medium sized businesses which directly employ over 131,000 British Columbians. For more information, visit www.go2hr.ca.
Media contacts:
Deirdre Campbell
Tartan Group
250-592-3838
250-882-9199 (cell)
Deirdre@tartangroup.ca
Lynne Henshaw
go2
604-633-9787 x234
778-834-1735 (Cell)
lhenshaw@go2hr.ca