Prince Albert and District Tourism
In August 2010, we spoke with Donna Hordyski, Tourism Coordinator, with Prince Albert and District Tourism. Here's what she had to say about training and mentorship.
What is your training philosophy?
Never assume that [staff] fully understands what you are trying to educate/train them about. Be a role model for your staff and lead by example. Always ask questions!
Is mentorship part of this philosophy?
Yes, mentorship is part of the philosophy. I provide one-on-one mentorship as I train the summer students when they have difficuty mastering a specific task that is required of them (opening the safe, using the cash register). This year I have had the summer students mentor/coach me as they created a new program on the computer that I did not know how to work with (Facebook page). They all shared with me their knowledge and walked me through the procedure and allowed me to ask questions and use their knowledge of the program to instill confidence in myself.
What are some of the challenges you encounter in training staff?
We hire a new summer staff every year, so I am continually training each year. If we are lucky enough to have a student the following year, it is easier to do the training because they assist with any training and questions the new staff may have.
Did you notice that you performed tasks differently as you worked through the training materials provided by the Transforming the Tourism Workforce project?
Yes, very much. I became more aware of my actions, my language and my listening skills for both by summer staff and the visitors to the Tourism Centre.
What impact would you like this project to have on your workplace?
It already has had an impact on me both personally and professionally. I have gained a self-confidence in my abilities that wasn't always evident to me and to others. I have taken more seriously my role as a supervisor and become more confident in my ability to lead my staff.
