STEC Lunch and Learn series

By Darcy Acton, Manager, Industry Development


STEC has put together a lunch and learn series for industry to come together and network. Each session will feature a speaker who will discuss current topics for the workplace, of interest to owners, operators, managers and supervisors. If you or any of your staff would be interested, you can find more information and register at steconlinelearning.com under the events section.

2013 Lunch and Learn lineup, Saskatoon

Wednesday, April 17: Internship Opportunities

Find out how youth internships can help your business address looming shortages of skilled labour. Internships allow employers to hire young individuals who are excited about their futures and eager to learn about trades or occupations that interest them.

Wednesday, May 15: Generations in the Workplace

From Baby Boomer to Gen X, employers have had to learn how to hire and motivate the best workers. Now, the Next Generation, or Millennial Generation, is joining the workforce. Learn practical tips for hiring, managing and getting the most out of a young, involved workforce

Wednesday, June 12: Liquor Trends for Business

Join us in discussing the impact on food and beverage outlets of consumer trends on liquor consumption. The discussion includes how responsible service of alcohol fits with these trends, as well as any recent changes to Saskatchewan’s liquor laws.

Wednesday, September 18:Customer Expectation

With mobile technology and instant communications, customers’ expectations are changing faster than ever – and harder than ever to meet. Learn what it takes to quickly respond to customers’ needs and exceed expectations in a fast-paced economy.

Wednesday, October 16: Tourism Training Opportunities (Panel)

When good help is hard to find, the best place to look is in your own workplace. Producing skilled, knowledgeable and motivated employees improves customer service, builds your unique brand and generates more profit. Our expert panel shows you the range of opportunities within your reach and budget.

Wednesday, November 20: Compensation highlights

Get the latest information (2012) on employee compensation practices, including wages and salaries, benefits and other incentives needed to keep staff motivated and productive. Compare compensation across industries and provinces.


For more information or to register, visit steconlinelearning.com and browse to the events section.

Essential job skills are essential for business success

Interesting story in Western Hotelier magazine. "New Skills for a Knowledge-based Economy" (November/December 2012, page 55), describes the importance of occupation-specific training and essential-skills training in today's hospitality workplace.

Margaret Eaton, president of ABC Life Literacy Canada, says that jobs formerly considered "menial" have turned into highly-skilled roles for which employees receive no training, diminishing Canadian tourism and hospitality employers' competitiveness not only nationally, but globally.

CTHRC President Wendy Swedlove calls these essentials skills gaps "a persistent reality in tourism and other sectors". She notes that federal, provincial and local partnerships make it possible for businesses to take advantage of emerit pre-employment programs that stand up to national benchmarks. "(T)hey create better entry-level jobs, see increased productivity and employee loyalty," Swedlove says. "(T)he positive effects on staff, operations and guests become significant."

Reading between the lines, it's basically saying that in a competitive world economy, there's no such thing as "unskilled" tourism labour and, without a skilled and properly trained workforce, employers are at a clear disadvantage (and risk going out of business if they don't get with the program).

Check out the story for yourself. Follow the link to the November/December 2012 edition of Western Hotelier, then scroll down the PDF to page 55.

Seeking Saskatchewan businesses for national compensation survey

With Saskatchewan employers feeling the national shortage of workers more acutely than other provinces, the CTHRC Tourism Sector Compensation Study can help businesses gain a competitive edge. Find out what motivates the best employees to choose your business over another and to stay with you over the long haul. See how you compare with other players in your industry.

All survey participants gain access to regional compensation reports for the main occupations in their industry, plus information on turnover rates, benefits, and incentive programs. Five lucky participants will win a customizable training package from emerit, a prize worth $850. So, why not get started right away?