Nov 20, 2018
By: Jeff Doran, President CCEOC Inc.
There is no easy answer to tackling the workforce crisis. Companies in all industries are finding it more and more difficult to attract and retain the talent they need to sustain and grow their businesses.
Attracting employees has been a challenge in the Canadian boating industry for many years. Clearly, more needs to be done to address the issue. There are a number of factors influencing this growing trend. They include:
• Low unemployment
• Perceived low wages
• Seasonal work
• Remote work locations
• Not enough training and development
• Unrealistic work expectations
• Limited career prospects
A workforce assessment study done in 2017 by the Marine Retail Association of the Americas, paints a bleak picture for attracting new candidates. In the MRAA survey, they found that 21.6 percent of full-time positions dealers had budgeted for in 2016 went unfilled.
Retaining staff is also a big challenge. Workers are often lured to new companies with higher pay and better benefits. They will also leave if they feel they are not appreciated, not involved in the decisions that affect them or have limited career opportunities. Lack of communication between management and employees can also cause stress and disengagement. But, as many former employees find out, the grass is not always greener on the other side.
One way to address the challenge of attracting and retaining talent is to create a magnetic corporate culture. You need to position your organization as a workplace destination that draws people in. Being recognized as an employer of choice helps to do just that. Promoting an employer of choice brand that focuses on engagement and retention sends a positive message to future and current employees, suppliers, partners and customers. It goes without saying, that good people want to work for good companies.
Boating Industry Canada Employer of Choice Award Program
Due to the increasing demand to address these demanding HR issues, Kerrwil Publishing (Boating Industry Canada and Canadian Yachting), Canada’s leading national marine publisher has partnered with CCEOC Inc. – a leading employer assessment organization - to create the Boating Industry Canada Employer of Choice (BICEOC) award.
This unique award program provides a strategic approach that helps employers position and brand themselves to attract the type of employee that best fits, and will most likely stay, with their organization.
Winners of the award receive many benefits including: a beautiful trophy presented at the Toronto and Vancouver Boat Shows; a profile in a special edition of Canadian Yachting magazine; and special recognition through web exposure, social media and News Week - the boating industry’s weekly eNewsletter. They can also promote the Employer of Choice award logo in all their marketing and recruiting materials for targeted branding purposes.
There are two award categories with multiple winners in each category. Categories include:
1. Dealers & Marinas
2. Marine Business: Manufacturers, Suppliers, Service Providers, Retailers and Distributors
Organizations eligible to take part must meet the following criteria:
• Compete in the Canadian boating industry
• Have a physical presence in Canada
• Have 15 or more full time employees
• Have been in business for 1 year or more
• Private or publicly traded company
• Government, NGO or non-profit
Based on current boating industry trends, it doesn’t look like the need for helping businesses attract and retain staff is going away any time soon. Promoting your Employer of Choice brand may be one of the best tools you can use to tackle the dwindling workforce challenge!
To learn more about the BICEOC award program, please call 416-886-7007 or go to http://ccemployerofchoice.com/BICEOC.html
