Project Background
In November 2005, a regional tourism labour market project was kicked off in the Sea-to-Sky Corridor with the goal to develop a long-term, comprehensive human resources strategy to support tourism growth to 2015. Funded through Services Canada (formerly HRSDC), this research and planning includes all of the communities from Britannia Beach to Pemberton. This plan is part of a larger project that involves developing such strategies for other tourism regions of the province. The next area where this will roll out is the Kootenay-Rockies region.
The steering committee is comprised of local business leaders, chambers of commerce, Tourism Whistler, tourism operators, representatives from municipalities, Squamish and Lil’wat Nations, go2, Capilano College, and the CAW Union.
Findings from research, community consultations and surveys will be used as a foundation to develop this regional human resources strategy. The plan, expected to be completed in fall of 2006, will include recommendations on recruitment, retention and training to support tourism growth now, during and after the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
View entire Project Timeline here.
Labour Market Report
A new labour market analysis report by Ruth Emery, Canbritic Consultants Ltd., confirms that labour shortages already being felt in the Sea-to-Sky region will worsen over the next decade. Emery is highly regarded as a labour economist in Canada.
Qualitative Research
Leadership Sea-to-Sky, a well known local consulting firm, was retained by the Steering committee to conduct qualitative research activities including public forums, focus groups and an online survey. A summary report titled ‘Final Report – Stakeholder Consultation and Qualitative Research Study’ was produced and includes recommendations based on feedback from this research. This project involved a rich quality of input through the following processes:
- Public forums were held in the communities of Pemberton, Squamish and Whistler to generate and gather ideas from everyone with a stake in the future growth and success of the industry.
View the forums' PowerPoint Presentation.
- An online survey was also available to ensure those that could not attend the public forums could still participate.
- Focus groups were held in each community that included a cross section of stakeholders from the four sectors (accommodation, food & beverage, activities and retail).
- A summary of the ‘Final Report – Stakeholder Consultation and Qualitative Research Study’ is available.
A report titled ‘Recruitment Strategy for the Sea-to-Sky Region’ was completed by Bernie Lalor-Morton of Focus Forward Coaching and Consulting who was retained by the Steering Committee to bring forth recommendations specifically around recruitment that will support the development of a comprehensive recruitment approach and strategy for the region. A summary of this report is available.