This whale-watching operator asks guides to commit to two seasons as part of their return for the company's investing two months' salary and time on up-front training.
Like any outdoor adventure tour operators, Don Travers and Kati Martini of Remote Passages Marine Excursions want to minimize the risks and liabilities to their business.
With only minimal standards governing motorized vessels under five tons in BC—which is the vessel size most whale-watching operators use—it is the operator’s responsibility to instruct the boating staff in all safety procedures.
Value-added experience training
It made sense for Don and Kati to develop an in-house training program by which all guides learn the procedures for safely operating the company’s inflatable boats and kayaks. In addition to boat-operating requirements, their training manual includes instruction on how to provide cultural interpretive services.
Marine Expedition’s product is more than whale-watching. It’s a value-added experience where guides explain the cultural history of Tofino and Clayoquot Sound while watching whales.
Committing to two seasons
While interviewing for a guide position at Marine Excursions, Don and Kati will ask an applicant what their long-term career goals are. They feel they can ask this because, financially, training whale-watching guides represents a big overhead cost for Don and Kati’s business. It’s an investment they don’t mind making in an individual, so long as the guide stays with them for a couple of seasons.
Flexible three-level guiding program
It takes two months for new hires to work through the three levels of Don and Kati’s structured program. Training is one-on-one with a senior guide mentoring trainees. Don and Kati specifically designed the program so it has multiple entry points for new employees to come onboard at various skill levels throughout the operating season.
What sets Remote Passages’ guide-training program apart is the quality of its up-front training and monitoring by senior guides. For this small operator, the number of requests to enter the training program increases yearly, as has its reputation as a coveted entry point into the industry.
