How to Hire, Train, and Retain Good Tourism Workers

If you're an employer in the North's tourism sector, you know how hard it can be to find workers. The good news is that you don't have to tackle this challenge alone. There are organizations that want to help you hire, train, and retain good employees.For this episode, we've assembled a panel of three leaders from three of those organizations to talk about the state of the tourism workforce in Northern Ontario. The panel includes Laurie Marcil of Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario, Chantal Makela of Spark Employment, and Karen Peacock of Tourism Excellence North.We cover the common challenges everyone is facing, what tourism workers are looking for, and the creative ways some employers are stepping up. By the end of this episode, you'll be equipped to step up your recruitment efforts too.00:00 Introduction01:43 Current challenges faced by Northern Ontario tourism operators09:23 Creative approaches employers using to tackle these challenges16:18 What are workers looking for in an employer today?19:03 What operators can do to be more attractive to workers23:00 Trends tourism operators should be paying attention to24:40 Resources for training and hiring32:19 One thing operators could do differently this year to improve their workforce situation35:15 Wrap-up & closing remarksLearn moreTourism Excellence North (TEN) website: tourismexcellencenorth.caNature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario (NOTO) website: noto.caSpark Employment Services website: sudburyemployment.caAbout the Destination: Northern Ontario podcastThis is a series for tourism business operators in rugged and beautiful Northern Ontario. Whether you're just starting out, or you've got years under your belt, this podcast will make sure you're well equipped for the journey. If you’re not an operator yet, but plan to buy a tourism business in the north, then check out Season 1 for case studies and expert guidance.Learn more about tourism investment opportunities in Northern Ontario at invest.destination northernontario.ca. Follow DNO on Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.The podcast is hosted by Michelle Samson and produced by Storied Places Media.