Resources from the 2024 Tourism Symposium Panel: Rethinking Recruitment in a Competitive Labour Market.
Moderated by Leni Brem, Project Manager, Tourism Workforce Sustainability Program, TIAO
Panelists:
Mark Capistrano, Project Coordinator, TIAO
Abby Aldoroty, Disability Inclusion Business Advisor, OTEC
Aaron Binder, Director, Better Way Alliance & Co-owner, Go Tours Canada
Collectively, this panel brought us a wealth of knowledge and resources to support recruitment and retention strategies aimed at growing an innovative, inclusive and sustainable tourism industry workforce. A list of these resources has been compiled below, along with the panelists’ contact information.
Memberships
Memberships are a great way to connect with other like-minded business, and can lead to collaboration.
Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO)
Recognized by government as the voice of tourism. Advocates for the importance of tourism as an economic driver and job creator in order to serve the interests of Ontario’s diverse tourism industry and business community. Offers free webinars, programs and other resources.
Sign up for their newsletter and become a member. 2024 membership is currently free so long as you are a member of your local DMO/Sector Association. Learn more.
The Better Way Alliance is Canada’s Ethical Employer Network – your voice for ethical employer practices with governments, politicians, and media. Their members are passionate industry leaders creating good local jobs through thoughtful company culture and a people-first mentality. When you join, you’re gaining a peer group of deeply passionate colleagues from across Canada, and access to tools like Paid Sick Days, Stable Scheduling, and More than Minimum Wages.
2024 membership is free. Find out more about the benefits of joining the Better Way Alliance.
More Tools from Better Way Alliance:
What is Ethical Employment/Decent Work?
Paid Sick Days calculator
Retention + Pay Raise calculator
The Ontario Tourism Education Corporation (OTEC) is Ontario’s tourism and hospitality workforce development organization. This not-for-profit organization delivers award-winning skills training, consulting, research and insight – guiding workforce strategy and evidence-based investment.
For Employers – Various Training Programs
For Employers/Employees – Various Tranings Programs
For Job Seekers – Accelerated Resiliency & Retention Training Series
Employer Resources
Ontario Living Wage Network – Talk to the experts about providing a living wage, understand living wage calculations, and get certified.
DisAbility Network (DAN) - Discover Ability Network is a free portal that helps job seekers with disabilities match with meaningful employment opportunities and offers employers resources to help them hire and retain persons with disabilities, foster inclusive workplaces, and benefit their bottom line.
Hospitality Workers Training Centre HWTC - Partner with HWTC to attract, hire, and retain a skilled workforce.
COSTI Immigration Services – Assists in the hiring of top talent and support the retention of candidates from diverse backgrounds. They provide free job posting service, hiring events, onboarding and ongoing employment support.
Disability, Inclusion, Accessibility
Neurodiversity in the Workplace – Free online course by University of British Columbia
Autism Speaks Canada – About Autism Hub with Supports and Services, such as the Autism Response Team and My Autism Guide
Ready Willing and Able – National organization and job board for hiring people on the spectrum and/or an intellectual delay. Also has lots of resources and support.
AODA and Accessibility Info – AODA Toolbox is a newsletter to sign up for that provides resources and updates to help your organization understand the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and become more accessible and inclusive.
UInclude – An Inclusive Writing Tool that will review your job postings for biased language and provide feedback. It’s a good tool to use with GenAI. Paste your job posting in ChatGPT, for example, and provide prompts like : rewrite using accessible language or gender neutral language
Where to find employees, that you may not have considered before:
- John Howard Society of Ontario, they do great work with justice involved people that are looking for jobs.
- Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN)
- Newcomers to Canada – Employer site
Niche Resources
- The Alliance – Launched by the Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce to provide resources and connections to self-employed entrepreneurs.
Connect with the Panel!
Aaron Binder, Better Way Alliance
Director, Better Way Alliance & Co-owner, Go Tours Canada
aaron@betterwayalliance.ca
Abby Aldoroty, OTEC
Disability and Inclusion Business Advisor available for training and consultation services.
abby.aldoroty@gmail.com | www.linkedin.com/in/abbyaldoroty
Leni Brem, Brem Consulting Inc
Hospitality and tourism consulting focused on driving the tourism industry forward through innovation, inclusion, and collaboration.
Leni@BremConsulting.com
Mark Capistrano, TIAO
Project Coordinator, Tourism Workforce Sustainability Program
mcapistrano@tiaontario.ca
