Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley

Golf and Ski Industry Trends and Opportunities <Home

Golf & Ski Industries Growing The golf industry has been booming in North America and as more young people, women, and families have grown to love the sport, hundreds of new golf courses have been developed and expanded over the past decade. Additionally, many ski operations have expanded to offer enhanced snowboarding, tubing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities, while others have enhanced their business opportunities by creating summer use activities such as mountain biking, hiking, and nature interpretation experiences for their list of programming. Industry leaders have indicated that they require staff who can bring a more diverse skill set to the workplace and who have the flexibility to work in the chalet or clubhouse, on the hill or course, in the office or pro shop. Employers also have concerns about the high staff turnover associated with seasonal workers who come and go, as well as the time and costs related to the retraining of inexperienced employees each year. Qualified Staff Required The enormous growth in the golf and ski industries has also created a greater need for qualified golf and ski operation specialists and the stability of trained workers who will not only bring a wide array of valuable skills to the industry but who have the ability to continue to learn and grow. Algonquin College’s Golf and Ski Operations Management program combines both of these outdoor recreational businesses, creating year-round employment opportunities, not just seasonal work, for its graduates. In Eastern Ontario, there are dozens of golf courses and many large ski operations within a short drive from the Pembroke Campus. This central location provides an excellent opportunity for the College to partner with industry employers to address the labour market challenges they are facing in this highly-competitive marketplace. Employees with a background of fundamental business skills in addition to hands-on skills of the more technical aspects of the golf and ski industries will be more valuable to their employers. Our Golf and Ski Management Operations graduates will be "job-ready" for the growing golf and ski industry. They will possess both the classroom theory and hands-on training for this expanding and exciting job market, and as a well-rounded employee, will bring diversity and flexibility to the workplace. ^Top
INDUSTRY RESEARCH FINDINGS Results of a recent Marketing Research Report (Altitude Marketing Research, Toronto, January 2007) included the following conclusions: Almost 9 out of 10 employers believe there is a demand for graduates with the skills outlined in the Golf and Ski Operations Management program Almost 8 out of 10 employers believe the demand for these graduates will increase Most employers surveyed have hired and will continue to hire seasonal employees in the next few years Golf operations managers in particular expect to be hiring new graduates More than half the ski operations managers found it very difficult to find qualified staff with the skills taught in the Golf and Ski Operations Management program All of the skills presented in the program are relevant to employers Employers are particularly looking for skilled communicators ^Top *A Golf and Ski Industry Analysis Report (prepared by Decima Research) found that:* The future of golf in Canada is promising and golf courses attract more tourism Golf is no longer an elite activity, accessible to a wider spectrum of the population As baby boomers retire, there will be more leisure time and golf will be impacted Golf is appealing to more families and junior players which will impact future of industry There are 880,000 golf travellers in Canada Current ski industry is healthy and will remain positive with winter Olympics awareness Expected increase of U.S. skiers coming to Canada Ski Operations employers require a number of skills of its employees Number of skier-visits in Canada rose steadily between 2000 and 2004; during the 2004-2005 season, Ontario and Quebec both saw growth Snowboarding has increased since 2002, with more than 800,000 in the 2004-05 season In 2002, 1.7 million Americans visited Canadian ski resorts, twice as many as in 1997 For more information on the Golf and Ski Operations Management Program, email Chris Melmoth, Program Coordinator or phone him at 613-735-4700, ext. 2880 To apply online, go to: www.ontariocolleges.ca
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