Gold Eagle Lodge
In May 2009, we travelled to North Battleford to discuss the challenges employers in this region of the province are experiencing in today's economy and labour market. Individuals at two properties were interviewed, including: Gold Eagle Lodge and Porta Bella Restaurant.
Although the managerial staff at the above properties are experiencing varying challenges related to recruitment and retention issues like skills shortages, both interviewees said staff are eager and willing to participate in the training offered by the Transforming the Tourism Workforce project.
Retention is a challenge for employers at the Gold Eagle Lodge, a 112 room limited service property that provides the finest in accommodation in the Battlefords region. There are currently 52 part- and full-time staff employed at the hotel. However, retaining these individuals is not always easy (though recruitment is not an issue because of ties to the First Nations community).
Malcolm Anderson, General Manager, said he is optimistic that the hotel's participation in the project will contribute to an increase in staff retention.
"We believe that the majority of our associates want to improve themselves and that through participation in the opportunities [provided] they can fulfill that desire," Anderson said.
He anticipated that the workplace training provided by the project will lead to a visible change in employees' confidence levels, adaptability, and creativeness. It is hoped that this in turn will inspire staff to work their way up from frontline positions to supervisory and managerial standing, thus improving retention issues at the Gold Eagle Lodge.
