Copper Point Golf Course, located in Invermere, BC has developed an innovative staff exchange program that allows employees to remain in the region all year long.
Brian Schaal, General Manager of Copper Point, acknowledges that employers have to get creative when attracting seasonal staff. As a result, Copper Point has adapted an extremely employee focused philosophy, which helps ensure that great staff members remain eager to return.
While some of the more conventional perks offered to Copper Point employees include staff outings, organized dinners and dental and health benefits, the course has also taken steps to initiate a staff exchange program with a local ski resort, enabling employees to work in the region all year round.
The idea of a staff exchange originated during a brainstorming session at a meeting of the Tourism Knowledge Cluster. Brian says it became obvious to him that Copper Point could share staff with an organization that is busy throughout the winter months. The concept of partnering with a ski hill offered a solution to seasonal staff challenges that would benefit both the staff and employers.
“I’ve been working with Panorama Ski Resort to exchange staff. We trust each others hiring practises, which is essential. And while I do run the risk of losing some staff to them permanently, I know the staff appreciate how they are treated here and they can’t wait to return in the summer,” says Brian.
And what makes the staff so eager to return, aside from the employer-organized staff exchange? Brian can easily ream off a list of perks offered by Copper Point, not the least of which include working in an atmosphere where every member of the team is willing to pitch in.
“We’re all equal and not one staff member or manager is above cleaning the bathrooms, picking up garbage, working in the dish pit or sweeping floors,” explains Brian, who goes on to say that all staff enjoy unrestricted golfing privileges, discounts at the golf shop and restaurant and fully paid staff uniforms.
Also, until Copper Point’s staff housing is built, the organization has taken on the responsibility of sourcing affordable housing for their employees, renting the accommodation under the course’s name in order to give area landlords some peace of mind.
“[Renting the accommodation] keeps our staff in the valley all year round, which means they can maintain the same home base, a fact that also keeps their landlords happy. I know going the extra mile for our staff will pay dividends back to us in loyalty,” explains Brian, an18-year golf industry veteran who understands that retaining loyal staff members is a crucial element of a successful golf course.
“Repeat staff are able to forge relationships with customers, and that’s a big part of what keeps our clients (friends) coming back to Copper Point.”
When asked about whether or not all this extra effort and investment is worthwhile, Brian sums up his philosophy quite simply.
“We believe that our staff and managers are the face of our organization, and you can’t put a price on that.”
