The Vancouver Island region is the perfect mix of urban life, small town charm, historic architecture, world-class museums, and coastal galleries.
Home to stunning rainforests, whale watching expeditions, awe-inspiring ocean views, and aboriginal cultural heritage, this region makes up the second largest share of tourism establishments in BC at about 3000, and growth in this number is steadily increasing as more visitors discover the charm of the coastal lifestyle. Many of the 20,000+ employees in this industry on the Island are baby boomers.
HR News and Events
SEE ALL HR NEWS SEE ALL Events IN THIS REGIONThe Vancouver Island region comprises a large number of seasonal businesses, which prevents you from offering year-round, full-time opportunities to stellar employees. It’s also challenging for you to entice seasonal workers to return year after year.
Where are you going to find workers to fill your openings? Do you have the resources, structure or tools to implement an effective human resource program that can engage employees in the long run? Explore a myriad of tips and articles that will help you attract qualified candidates and keep current employees happy and satisfied.
Employee training and development has a direct impact on improving customer service, productivity, consistency, staff morale, and sales. Investing in staff training is also a way to keep the superstar employees, making sure they are equipped with the right skill sets, certification and training for their positions.
Given the breadth of the industry, education requirements vary greatly, but many entry-level positions in the tourism industry do not require formal education or a degree.
Even though specific education might not be required, the more training you have, the more skills you can bring to help grow a tourism employer’s business, thus increasing your chances of landing that job you want. BC has many excellent education programs, including apprenticeship training, and tourism and hospitality programs that will help you earn certificates, diplomas and degrees. Here is a map of secondary and post-secondary schools in your region:
Looking to connect with local tourism and hospitality students and instructors in BC and across Canada? Check out our database: https://www.go2hr.ca/articles/post-your-jobs-colleges-across-canada
In some cases, specific industry certifications are needed and are considered some of the basic job requirements. For example:
- Serving It Right: BC’s mandatory self-study program for the responsible service of alcohol.
- Special Event Server: BC’s responsible beverage service program for serving alcohol at special events.
- FOODSAFE: Required for foodservice workers to learn about the dangers and prevention of food poisoning. This course is available online, by distance education or in a classroom setting. We offer the distance education version of FOODSAFE Level 1.
- SuperHost: customer service training for front-line staff.
Whether you are a large or small business, a strong commitment to safety sets you apart as an employer of choice and inspires confidence from your current and future employees.
Participation in the Certificate of Recognition (COR) Program – an occupational health and safety audit and certification program – offers many benefits, including financial incentives from WorkSafeBC, improvement on employee morale and productivity, thus building a positive corporate image. Small employers with fewer than 20 employees can participate in the Small Employers COR (SECOR) program, which has a slightly different process and audit tool that takes into account the size of the operation in order to increase small employers’ success.
To get started, check out the Resource Library to download customizable tools and checklists for your health & safety program. If you have any questions, reach out to your regional Industry Health and Safety Specialist, Stephanie Mallalieu, who can provide you with one-on-one assistance in your program. Contact Stephanie at smallalieu@go2hr.ca or call 604-633-9787 ext. 220.
Looking to connect with local tourism and hospitality students and instructors in BC and across Canada? Check out our database: https://www.go2hr.ca/articles/post-your-jobs-colleges-across-canada
Work in BC’s most diverse eco-system where you can:
- Catch a wave while teaching surfing in one of the best surf towns in the world.
- Develop lasting friendships working at one of many world-class hotels.
- Prepare unique meals with seafood fresh off the boat.
- Lead a whale watching or bear sightseeing tour.
- Embrace the Pacific Ocean as a fishing or sea kayaking guide.
Tourism Only Job Board
Nearly # employers in the Vancouver Island region have posted jobs on our free tourism job board, looking to hire a wide variety of positions in all tourism sectors, from front-line to supervisory to executive level. Here are the latest jobs in the region:
LATEST JOBS IN THE Vancouver Island REGION
| Job Title: | Company: | Location: | Date Posted: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director, Maintenance & Utilities | Mount Washington Alpine Resort | Courtenay | Mar 22, 2019 |
| Director, Mountain Operations | Mount Washington Alpine Resort | Courtenay | Mar 22, 2019 |
| IT Support | Mount Washington Alpine Resort | Courtenay | Mar 22, 2019 |
| Naturalist Assistant | Hollyhock | Manson's Landing | Mar 22, 2019 |
| Yoga Instructor | Hollyhock | Manson's Landing | Mar 22, 2019 |
Tourism Companies in Vancouver Island
Are you trying to connect with a local tourism company in Vancouver Island? Here is a snapshot of tourism companies currently registered on our website. In our Tourism Company Directory, you may also find local chambers of commerce, regional destination marketing organizations and tourism sector associations in your area.
Vancouver Island EMPLOYERS
| Company Name: | Address: |
|---|---|
| Sooke Oceanside Brewery | 211-5529 Sooke Rd., Sooke, British Columbia V9Z 0C7 |
| Howard Johnson Hotel Victoria | 21310 Gorge Road East, , Victoria, British Columbia V8T 2W2 |
| Hastings House Country House Hotel | 21160 Upper Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia V8K 2S2 |
| Mike Tester Company | 212313 Urquhart Ave, Courtenay, British Columbia |
| RELISH Gourmet Burgers | 212290 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, British Columbia V5N 4B5 |