InnFocus Summer 2023

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y Ingrid Jarrett, President & CEO Industry Advocacy Achievements: Government Improvements, Investments, and Refugee Resettlement Programs in the Hospitality Sector Over recent months, we have embraced positive movement on a number of our industry’s key advocacy files. In particular, there have been a number of government announcements regarding improvements to immigration programs, along with investments in our sector. Four changes have been introduced. Recent Advocacy Improvements Firstly, the Economic Mobility Pathways Program has been expanded to include a new pathway for tourism and hospitality workers, enabling refugees and other displaced people to access in-demand jobs. This is a crucial win for our industry, as it will help alleviate labour shortages and provide opportunities for displaced people. Secondly, temporary measures introduced during the pandemic for hardest-hit sectors have been extended until October 30, 2023. This includes permitting employers with demonstrated labour shortages to hire up to 30% of their workforce through the Temporary Foreign Workers Program for low-wage positions. This will provide relief to many employers who are struggling to find staff. Thirdly, foreign nationals with expired or expiring post-graduation work permits will be allowed to work in Canada for an additional or extended period of up to 18 months. This is a vital win for the industry, as it will help retain highly skilled talent. Finally, the Canadian government has announced that $172 million will be invested in tourism and hospitality. This investment includes $50 million over three years to Destination Canada to attract major international conferences and events to Canada and $108 million over three years to the Regional Development Agencies to support communities, small businesses, and non-profit organizations in developing local projects and events. These investments will help boost the industry and support its continued recovery from the pandemic. Supporting Refugee Resettlement In addition to these advocacy wins, the BCHA has also been working with two incredible organizations to support refugee resettlement in British Columbia’s accommodation community. The first program is the HIRES Program, which stands for Hospitality Industry Welcomes Refugee Employment-linked Sponsorship. This program involves community sponsorship groups that provide ongoing support to refugees in Kenya who have been selected for industry suitability. Employers champion refugee employment and staff engagement while providing post-arrival hospitality training to new employees. Camosun College has partnered to deliver hospitality training on arrival to this cohort of new employees, while volunteer colleagues provide ongoing community support. This program requires a 12-month, full-time employment contract and a financial contribution fee of $5,000 per participant. The second program is the Talent Beyond Boundaries Program, which is a workforce initiative aimed at finding workers to meet the labour needs of businesses. This program qualifies skilled refugees for permanent residency through the BC PNP program. The program requires job offers for skilled occupations, such as housekeeping supervisor, food service supervisor, hotel clerk supervisor, line cook, and sous chef, among others. Workers are pre-screened by TBB for skills, experience, and language requirements, and TBB also assists with required immigration documents. Workers will have their permanent residency when arriving in Canada and are expected to arrive with family members. They are eligible for settlement support services offered in the community of settlement, and temporary housing must be arranged. Fees for the program will be approximately $2,000, and travel expenses may be covered under TBB initiatives. These two programs offer significant opportunities for employers to access new staff members while making a difference in the lives of displaced persons. We believe that our advocacy efforts have been acknowledged, and these changes have been initiated as a result of the pressure the BCHA and HAC were able to put on the federal government to provide labour solutions. We encourage employers to get involved with these programs to not only have access to new staff members but also to make a significant difference in the lives of displaced persons. 4 InnFocus
Leader of the Future: Pink Yu Director of Operations and Marketing & Media, Robin Hood Inn & Suites in Victoria by Amy Watkins Pink Yu was recently awarded the BC Hotel Association’s Leader of the Future at the industry’s award night. “My passion for the hospitality industry began when I was just six years old, when my parents took me on a trip to Japan,” remembers Pink Yu (28), director of operations and marketing & media at Robin Hood Inn & Suites in Victoria. “My studies have provided me with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the hospitality industry, but it was my early experiences with Japanese hospitality that sparked my passion and continues to drive me in my career today. It brings me incredible joy to know that our guests had a great experience, and I take pride in my role in making that happen.” Yu moved to Toronto from Taiwan to study hospitality management, with a focus on hotels and resorts, and she completed her bachelor’s degree in International Hotel Management at Royal Roads University in 2018. Moving to Canada at 18 was a challenging experience. “I faced barriers including language, culture, diversity of people, visa applications, and being away from my family,” Yu says. “Despite these challenges, I made friends quickly, improved my language skills, and within a very short time, I felt that Canada had adopted me.” She began her career working part-time at the front desk of Days Inn in Victoria during her studies and then completed an internship at Best Western Plus. There she received a Victoria Hospitality Award for her hard work and went on to become an employee. After joining Robin Hood Inn & Suites in January 2020 in a multitasking role that covered everything from laundry to front desk and shuttle driver, Yu quickly moved into a sales and marketing role, while supervising the front desk. She is now director of operations and marketing & media at the hotel, and she credits her education and work experience for her fast career progression, with networking also playing a significant role. “Through attending industry events and connecting with colleagues and mentors, I’ve been able to expand my professional network, gain insights into emerging trends, and discover new opportunities for growth and personal development,” she explains. Courtesy of Pink Yu Yu has blossomed at Robin Hood Inn & Suites with mentor General Manager Sam Kirsch. “Before meeting Sam, I’d almost forgotten who I am and who I want to be, but Sam has shown me the possibilities of what can be achieved with creative and innovative ideas,” she says. “Whenever we have an idea that I believe can take us to the next level, he’s always there to support me and help make it happen.” Together they’ve initiated new innovations including direct booking ads, a mobile texting system, AI revenue management, digital media for guests, marketing the hotel as the Gateway to Victoria Resort Experience, and adding glass shower surrounds to guest bathrooms. “Empowerment, positive attitude, and empathy are the fundamental elements of my leadership style,” notes Yu. “Empowerment means trusting my team members and delegating tasks to them while providing them with the necessary tools, resources, and support to make decisions independently. I help them develop their skills, foster confidence and trust, and contribute to their career growth.” She sees her positive energy as being critical in inspiring and motivating team members. “I strive to maintain a positive outlook and be a source of inspiration for my team, especially during challenging times,” she says. “Empathy is a doorway to know my team better. I understand that every team member has unique strengths, weaknesses, and personal circumstances. I strive to be approachable to individual needs and provide support.” Her advice for other young people entering the industry is to be patient and consistent. “Success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, dedication, consistency in learning new things, openmindedness to new trends, creative thinking, and hard work,” she says. “When opportunities arise, you will be ready to grow and make the most of them, and the rewards are worth it.” InnFocus 5
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Page 30 and 31: y Mike Macleod, Director of Member

InnFocus Summer 2023

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