News

June 2010 Newsletter

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

What's New
Industry Corner
Spotlight On
HR Facts
Training
Safety Corner
Quote of the Month

 

What's New

RETAIL – Why Train?

Retail training is now available at MTEC!  Why train?  There are many reasons. In a challenging economy, you must do everything you can to stand out from the competition. To be the best, you must stand out from the rest. We can help you do that. Training increases morale, team spirit, business image, staff retention and most importantly your profitability.

We sometimes hear “What if I train my people and they leave?”  We say, “What if you don’t train them and they stay?”

Call or email MTEC today to receive our new Retail Training brochure. To be notified of our upcoming workshop dates and times, ask to be included in our contact list and we will get those to you as soon as they are available!

Let us help you take your business to a new level.

For more information please contact our

Retail Training Coordinator Patricia Walker at pwalker@mtec.mb.ca 


Ready to Work for You!

As an employer in the tourism and hospitality field do you feel like you are constantly searching for entry level employees who are ready to do the job?  MTEC has a program to help fill entry level positions with individuals trained specifically for the tourism and hospitality industry.  Some of the occupations included in the training program are line cook, housekeeping room attendant and front desk agent.

The Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council's (CTHRC) Ready-to-Work (RTW) Program is a federally funded, national skills development program designed to assist people with transitions in the workforce.  It is delivered across Canada by Tourism Human Resource Organizations.

 

In Manitoba,  MTEC delivers this program in conjunction with additional funding from the Province of Manitoba.

 

The MTEC RTW Program has both classroom and hands-on skill development components.  This training platform gives our participants the theoretical knowledge and the skills experience essential for employment in the tourism industry.

The training component of a RTW Program can be anywhere from 6 to 9 weeks depending on the occupation chosen and the time frame for our employer. 

 

The training consists of three to four weeks of classroom training in Tourism Essentials, MANITOBA BEST Service Excellence, WHMIS, It’s Good Business (IGB) Responsible Alcohol Server Program, CPR/First Aid, Food Handlers Certification, career and employment planning, and orientation to the jobsite, followed by three weeks of occupational specific hands-on training.

Whether you are a large or small organization we can tailor a RTW Program to fit your needs.  If you choose to run a RTW Program, your organization would be involved in the decision of which occupational specific program to run, selection of participants, possibly providing training space and conducting your own organization specific orientation for the participants. 

If a Ready-to-Work Program is of interest to your organization please contact Susan Jurkowski, Employment Services Coordinator at sjurkowski@mtec.mb.ca or by phone 957-7437.


Industry Corner

HR Forum - contact MTEC for more information

Please visit the CTHRC website for further information


Tourism Week

June 7-13 was Tourism Week in Canada, which recognized the importance of tourism to all Canadians. Tourism has a profound economic impact - in Canada tourism is a $7.1 billion industry and in Manitoba tourism is a $1.1 billion industry. Manitoba's tourism industry accounts for 2.75% (2008) of the province's GDP, $480 million in export revenue and 13,100 direct jobs. Much of Manitoba's tourism industry is comprised of small or medium businesses which play a vital role in the communities in which they are located. In 2008 the total number of tourism and hospitality related businesses in Manitoba grew by almost 6% to 5,364, meaning more jobs and investment in local communities. What tourists love about Manitoba are the same things that Manitobans love about Manitoba: the friendly people, the array of cultural institutions and events that represent our heritage, the diverse landscapes allowing for endless outdoor adventures, and the list goes on. By sharing our love of Manitoba with visitors to our province, through hospitality excellence, world-class arts and cultural events and pristine natural escapes, we make our province an even more desirable place to visit. Let's continue to celebrate Unforgettable Manitoba. There is much to see, do and discover in Manitoba, and what you find may not be what you expect. Encourage the sharing of unexpected Manitoba moments, stories and pictures at www.unexpectedmanitoba.com.


Cultural Competence Videos Now Available for Download

Are you looking to build an inclusive work environment? hireimmigrants' cultural competence videos will help you increase your company's capacity to effectively recruit, select and integrate skilled immigrants.

1) Recruiting: Finding Talent
2) Integrating: Maximizing Skilled Immigrant Talent
You can now download these videos for internal training purposes.

Click to Visit Website


Congratulations to the Manitoba Tourism Award Winners

Over 220 people gathered at the Fairmont Winnipeg on May 26 to celebrate excellence in Manitoba's tourism industry at the 2009 Manitoba Tourism Awards. Launched in 1998, the Manitoba Tourism Awards recognize outstanding contributions to the provincial tourism industry, including promoting Manitoba as a destination, providing memorable service to visitors and developing the tourism industry. A record number 85 individuals or organizations were nominated by industry peers for the awards and thirty were chosen as finalists. Finalists and winners were selected by an industry-based judging panel. The Honourable Flor Marcelino, Minister of Culture, Heritage and Tourism and Travel Manitoba Board Chair Paul Robson presented the winners with a trophy. Winners also have the right to use the Manitoba Tourism Award symbol for advertising and promotion as well as promotion on Travel Manitoba's website. Event MC Ace Burpee provided laughs throughout the evening, while the funk fusion music of Moses Mayes rounded out the night. Congratulations to the nominees, finalists and winners in each of the ten categories: Travel Manitoba Award of Distinction: International Peace Garden Board and Staff Aspiring Youth Award: Larissa Peitsch. Aboriginal Tourism Award: Aboriginal Music Week Marketing Excellence Award: The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Media Award: H2O Gimli and Beaches Adventure Guide Sustainable Tourism Award: Nueltin Fly-In Lodges Partnership Award: Eastside Aboriginal Sustainable Tourism Inc. and Manitoba Lotteries Corporation Product Development Award: Hy-Wire Zipline Adventures Service Excellence Award: Murray Greenfield Volunteer of the Year Award: Gerry Clark Tourism Winnipeg Award of Distinction: Festival du Voyageur, Folklorama, Winnipeg Folk Festival To read more about the Manitoba Tourism Awards winners or finalists, visit www.manitobatourismawards.com.


50% off emerit - call MTEC for details

Please click here for more information


Spotlight On

Shannon German, Bronze Medal Winner at the 2010 National Restaurant Service Competition

In my first year of study at the Hospitality Management Diploma Program at Red River College, I was introduced to the Manitoba Skills Competition. I decided to go for the first training weekend just to see what this competition was all about.  After the training weekend, this course led me to compete in the 2009 Manitoba Restaurant Skills Competition.  I left that competition with a lot of knowledge and what I could personally improve on not only for the next year's competition, but to make me a better industry professional.  Going into my second year when I majored in Hotel and Restaurant Management, I decided I would like to compete again in the Restaurant Service Competition for the amazing experiences.

After winning the gold medal in the 2010 Manitoba Restaurant Service Competition I immediately went on to train for the 2010 National Restaurant Service Competition, which was held in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario on May 21 and 22.  I had a lot of practice and work to do for the national competition considering it was a two day competition rather than a one day competition.  The first day of the national competition included a Table d'hote service consisting of: cocktail preparation, bread service, serving soup from a terrine, white wine service.  The main course included serving chicken, vegetables, and potatoes off a platter, decanting red wine, proceeding with the red wine service, and lastly as the dessert course I served strudels off a platter and finished with coffee service. 

 

The second day of the national competition was similar to the Manitoba competition and included an A La Carte service, which is the French Table Side Service prepared by the competitors.  This service included: cocktail preparation, bread service, a smoked salmon appetizer, red wine service, flambéed Steak Diane as the main course, followed by a sparkling wine service, finishing with coffee service and the Peach Melba Dessert.  The competitor's were not only judged on the food preparation, service, and presentation, but were also judged on the wine service, napkin folding, table boxing, bartending, a 12-inch floral centerpiece, a 24-inch floral banquet arrangement, wine identification, and liquor identification. 

 
I trained numerous days and hours for this competition with the help of teachers and volunteers. Although this competition was a lot of hard work, it really paid off in the end.  I learned what it takes to commit yourself to something you love, allow your confidence to grow in the industry I have chosen, and learned even more than I could imagine about restaurant service, the preparation, and the techniques that I will be able to take with me and use in the industry.  I would be lying if I said that this was not a difficult and stressful competition, but I went to this competition for the experience and after all my hard work and the hours spent training, I proudly came back to Manitoba with the bronze medal!


HR Facts

Canadian HR Reporter

5/31/2010

Motivation a goal of progressive discipline

Clear, consistent, timely process yields best results

By Sabine Bell

 

When a new employee is hired, to ensure he can do a good job and even excel, an organization should clearly communicate standards and expectations.

However, these can be forgotten so organizations should provide reminders, such as posting standards and expectations, writing about standards in newsletters or on paycheque stubs, providing training sessions and reminding employees during meetings.

Employees also need to know what will happen if expectations are not met, so the progressive discipline policy must be clearly communicated.

Progressive discipline needs to be timely. Every effort must be made to speak with an employee immediately after a breach has occurred. If he has forgotten the incident, he may feel picked-on or bullied, rather than motivated to do it right the next time.

To maintain the employee’s dignity and self-esteem, conversations must be held in private so the employee can express himself freely.

It should not be seen as punishment. The goal is to motivate the employee to do a better job next time, not to demoralize, so the conversation should not be confrontational.

To prepare for the conversation, managers should:

• give the employee some notice

• investigate the situation and ensure they have all the facts

• have applicable standards and expectations ready (job descriptions, employee handbooks, policies)

• review the employee file to ensure they understand which stage of the progressive discipline process is applicable

• have the progressive discipline form or documentation ready to complete

• be prepared for possible outcomes — will the employee be angry, hostile, quiet, tearful?

It is imperative managers only talk about the facts, refrain from being subjective and focus only on the employee’s behaviour. Managers should also:

• ask the worker for feedback

• complete the documentation and obtain his signature

• set a date to follow up on the progress

• show confidence in his ability to learn and change.

Follow up is a crucial part of the process. It is very motivational when the manager acknowledges efforts and improvements. Managers should also ensure retraining happens if required.

Documentation is essential. If a terminated employee files an unjust dismissal claim, it could become part of the case and be seen as a legal document. Verbal conversations are easily forgotten and managers leave. Signed training checklists, employee handbooks, policies, standards and job descriptions can all become legal documents in these situations.

Sabine Bell is the owner and general manager of Whistler’s Personnel Solutions in Whistler, B.C. For more information, visit www.whistler-jobs.com.


Training

Get your business on course and sail into summer retail success with high impact training designed specifically for the retail industry. We are offering 15 complimentary seats for each session, sign up now! *

Handing Difficult Situations
June 21  |  9:00am - 12:00pm  |  More Info

Generations in the Workplace
June 23  | 9:00am - 12:00pm  |  More Info

MANITOBA BEST
Retail Customer Service Excellence
June 24  |  9:00am - 12:00pm  |  More Info

Retail Loss Prevention 
June 28  |  9:00am - 12:00pm  |  More Info

*Space is limited in all courses and are offered on a first come first served basis.

All courses will be held at the MTEC Learning Centre, Suite 100 - 1534 Gamble Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Reserve your spot today! To register contact us by email at admin@mtec.mb.ca or by calling (204) 957-7437


Safety Corner

Congratulations to our NAOSH (North American Occupational Safety Health) week coloring contest winner Raylene Dysart from East Selkirk, MB.

Also a big congratulations to Susan Jurkowski, Lori Slobodian, & Fiona McIntyre of MTEC for placing in our Wellness challenge during NAOSH week!

 

SAFE Hospitality is coming to Flin Flon!

A SAFE Hospitality representative will be in Flin Flon July 20th -24th to offer safety consultations & training to Owners, Managers, Operators and Workers in the Restaurant & Food Service establishments.  Two complementary safety training sessions will be held at the Victoria Inn on Thursday July 22 from 8:00-4:30pm. Please call to book a free safety consultation/assessment of your workplace or to sign up for our free sessions.

 

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) - FREE!

Thursday July 22, 8:30 am - 12:-00 pm Victoria Inn

Almost everybody works with or in the vicinity of chemicals in some way, shape or form.  From the person who replaces the ink in the photo copy machine; the dishwasher, or the waitress/waiter who sanitizes the tables. Technically, these workers all work with controlled products. With this in mind, under the Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure employees are trained in WHMIS.

 

Supervisor/Manager Safety Roles and Responsibilities - FREE!

Thursday July 22, 1:00pm – 4:30pm Victoria Inn

Are you in charge or have authority over at least ONE worker in your workplace? If you answer yes to this question, then you are considered a supervisor under Manitoba’s Workplace Safety and Health Act.

Under the Act it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure workers are supervised by a person who is competent, because of knowledge, training or experience and is familiar with the Act and regulations that is applied to the work performed at the workplace. This session will help people having authority or in a supervisor position, understand the basic roles and responsibilities when it comes to Workplace Safety and Health Laws in Manitoba.

To register for either of these sessions, please contact Alexa Clayton at SAFE Hospitality @ (204)694-7233 toll free (800)820-6832.

Why should your staff receive safety training?

Training INCREASES:                                                                      

·         Workers skills and motivation                    

·         Safety Culture

·         Awareness

·         Quality of service

·         Company moral

·         Business sustainability

·         Communication

Training DECREASES:

 

·         Lost man-hours

·         Insurance costs

·         Workers’ Compensation premiums

·         Legal Costs

·         Absenteeism

·         INJURIES!

UPCOMING TRAINING SESSIONS:

 

WORKPLACE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INFORMATION SYSTEM

(WHMIS Basic Awareness)

An employer has an obligation to take an inventory of all chemicals used in the workplace and ensure current MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) are available. They must also train their employees on the proper handling of these products. Workers have the responsibility to protect themselves and others working around them. This also includes biological hazards such as mould and blood borne pathogens.

With this course, you will receive training in a dynamic environment and a certificate in Basic WHMIS.

Course Dates: June 29, July 13, July 27, August 10, August 24

Time: 8:30-12:00pm

Location:  MTEC & SAFE Hospitality Offices:  Suite 100-1534 Gamble Place, Winnipeg Manitoba

 

SUPERVISOR AND MANAGER SAFETY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(Basic Skills)

Supervisors are considered an extension of the employer/management. They have the most care and control over the day-to-day operations. This course will identify and highlight supervisory requirements in accordance to Manitoba’s Workplace Safety and Health Act.

An untrained supervisor = potentially injured workers = loss. Protect your supervisor, protect your worker and protect your business.

With this course, you will receive a certification in Basic Supervisor/Management Safety

Course Dates: June 29, July 13, July 27, August 10, August 24

Time: 1:00-5:00

Location:  MTEC & SAFE Hospitality Offices:  Suite 100-1534 Gamble Place, Winnipeg Manitoba

 

INTRODUCING: JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS (JHA) AND SAFE WORK POCEDURES (SWP)

(Basic Skills)

Every job or task that we undertake in the workplace has the potential if not done properly to create a risk of injury or disease. Part 2 of Manitoba’s Regulation 217/06 states “an employer must develop and implement safe work procedures for the work that is being done, train workers in SWP and ensure workers comply with the SWP. We need to know how to Spot the Hazard, Assess the Risk then find a Safer Way by taking the necessary time and steps to complete a proper JHA that will give us our Safe Work Procedure to train and educate our workforce.  This course will give you the basic tools needed to start the process.

Contact us for dates!

For more information on training sessions or for a registration form please contact Alexa Clayton by phone (204) 694-7233 or toll free (800)820-6832 or email at info@safehospitality.com


Quote of the Month

"Seventy percent of success in life is showing up."

- Woody Allen                


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