Tourism Kamloops is taking the unprecedented step of actively trying to recruit younger people into the sector through a job fair set to take place at Thompson Rivers University this afternoon.

CEO Monica Dickinson tells NL News it comes as the sector is facing a number of challenges in recruiting younger people to get involved.

“Coming out of COVID that people who once held multiple part-time jobs and at times where several of them were hospitality jobs isn’t the case any more. People are more focused and looking to have just sort of one line of career rather than spreading themselves too thin,” she said.

Speaking on the NL Noon Report, Dickinson says a lack of available staff remains the top concern among employers in the local tourism sector ahead of this upcoming summer tourist season in 2022.

“We’re not seeing as much traction, I don’t think, from younger people,” she said. “Additionally, the hospitality industry has been notorious for low wages and long hours.”

She says its a concern which goes beyond the local level, with industry – and governments – across the country recognizing the massive gap in available labour.

“[We’re] funnelling into provincial governments and also federally to work on foreign worker policies and opening the door to immigration and bringing new workers into our country,” she added.

This afternoon’s job fair will feature over fifteen tourism and hospitality businesses – including the Rocky Mountaineer, Monte Creek Winery, The Dunes at Kamloops, Chances Casino, the Tourism Kamloops BOLD Street team and several local hotels – who are looking for people both for this summer and beyond.

It will take place at the Mountain Room at TRU between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., with more details available here.