A new program aimed at dealing with Banff’s labour shortage while giving residents from the Stoney Nakoda nation a chance to work in the tourism hospitality industry is seeing early signs of success.
Recognizing acute labour shortages for both long-term and seasonal employees in Banff and Lake Louise, a partnership between Banff & Lake Louise Hospitality Association (BLLHA) and the Stoney Nation is part of a long-term strategy.
Officials with BLLHA say for the association it is a piece in the overall labour puzzle, while for the Stoney Nakoda nation it is one element in its employment and economic long-term strategies.
Brenda Stanton, BLLHA’s manager of research, communications and member engagement, said the program is starting small, noting there are employees at Rimrock Resort Hotel and Baker Creek, with at least two more due to start work at the Banff Centre in the coming weeks.
“It’s started and we’re doing well,” she said, adding there are going to be small glitches and some hurdles to overcome, but employers work quickly to solve the small problems that may arise.
A ‘boot camp’ was held in Morley in late October with participants from the three communities of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Wesley having the opportunity to examine the challenge of employment away from their community.
While participants were going through boot camp in Morley, hotel partners attended a session in Banff, led by elder Sykes Powderface, outlining some of the historical and present challenges faced by both indigenous employees and their employers.
The next boot camp with Banff & Lake Louise partners is scheduled for January, with a goal of having least 30 people employed by the end of March and doubling that number for the busy summer season.
Participating businesses so far include the Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity, Banff Lodging Co., Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and Rimrock Resort Hotel.
Officials said not all participants received job offers, nor were there immediate employment opportunities available at all participating hotel properties, but the stage has been set for a long-term partnership.
“The early on results have been very positive,” said Trevor Long, general manager of the Rimrock Resort Hotel and president of BLLHA. “We recognize that this is an investment in the future.”
For the participants, the program has been very rewarding so far. One of the participants, Ty, said the program has been helpful.
“It helped me get a job and I got to pick where I wanted to work,” he wrote in a news release. “I love my job. Don’t stop.”
