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Workforce WindsorEssex unveiled a new program Wednesday that’s aimed at helping employers in the hospitality and tourism sectors connect, recruit and retain employees.
The toolkit provides strategies addressing the variety of opportunities in the region.
“With this toolkit, Workforce WindsorEssex is committed to supporting a thriving tourism and hospitality sector, fostering economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for all residents of the Windsor-Essex region,” said Tashlyn Teskey, Workforce WindsorEssex’s senior manager of research and Innovation.
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“By equipping employers with innovative recruitment and retention strategies, we are not only addressing current challenges, but are also paving the way for a prosperous future for the region’s tourism and hospitality sector and for jobseekers as well.”
Workforce WindsorEssex developed the project (www.workforcewindsoressex.com/tourism) with support from both the provincial and federal governments.
Teskey said the industry is facing large talent shortages for multiple reasons, including a lack of local training for roles in the sector and lack of awareness of career opportunities.
The new program will offer more promotion of the sector with younger students and jobseekers and highlight the flexibility for roles and career pathways that exist across multiple industries with the aim to increase the talent pool.
“The travel, tourism and hospitality industry offers a wide range of career options and what better way to assist prospective jobseekers than to inform them of the necessary skills, educational requirements and opportunities they can navigate within the Windsor-Essex region,” said Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island CEO Gordon Orr.
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“Through their Tourism Toolkit, Workforce WindsorEssex has been able to frame cohesively the range of exciting positions that await potential employees. Employers are also provided with insights on recruiting and retaining staff.”
Part of that promotion will be to encourage employers to cast their net wider to include newcomers to the region, students, persons with disabilities and racialized persons while targeting those eager to work in a meaningful career.
Among the solutions suggested are partnering with local post-secondary institutions and training providers to allow for more localized training programs for jobseekers and students. Increased availability of training programs will also inform students of the long-term careers they can have in the sector.
Recommendations for employers include offering non-compensation benefits and perks, strengthening their ability to be seasonal employers, recruiting from the available workforce and adopting a shared service model as an industry.
“Offering trajectories on the prospects for job growth and promotion provides a definitive lure for joining and remaining within our industry long-term,” Orr said.
“Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island is delighted to have this toolkit come to fruition, as our industry, based on high demand, is looking to exponentially grow careers within our destination.”
Dwaddell@postmedia.com
Twitter.com/winstarwaddell
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