Article published in The New Zealand Herald on 9 July, 2008
The tourism industry continues to be a bright point in the New Zealand
economy, with spending by domestic and international visitors topping $20.1
billion in the past year.
The growth in demand for tourism services is reflected in the growth in
tourism jobs. According to statistics New Zealand, in the year to March the
number of full-time equivalent employees directly employed by thee tourism
industry rose 1.9 per cent to 108,100 or 5.8 per cent of total employment in the
country.
Auckland ferry operator Fullers is attending The New Zealand Herald You
Career Expo, to be held September 27-28 at ASB Showgrounds, to highlight career
opportunities in the company. While Fullers’ success is closely linked to the
services it provides to Auckland commuters, it also offers many services to the
burgeoning tourism market.
“Auckland welcomes 2.4 million tourists every year, and predictions suggest
this will rise to more than three million in the next five years,” Fullers CEO
Douglas Hudson said. “Whilst the commuter market generates a reliable and steady
patronage for Fullers, it is the tourist services, particularly Waiheke Island
and Devonport, that provide the extra revenue to offset the costs of
unsubsidized commuter routes.
“With general expansion created from increases to both commuter and tourist
routes, Fullers has placed a huge significance on the need to recruit, train and
retain quality staff. The company recognizes that its employees are central to
the continued growth of the company and the fulfillment of exiting future plans.
The company offers a broad range of exciting options from office based staff in
HR, marketing, IT and finance through to sales staff, customer service personnel
deck hands and ferry masters.”
JRA (NZ) Ltd, which specialises in stakeholder survey and analysis, runs the
annual unlimited/JRA Best Places to Work
Survey. JRA’s Rob Veitch said the finalist organisations come in all shapes
and sizes.
Past finalists Overland Footwear, GHD and Outward Bound may appear very
different on the surface but are very similar and share four common
characteristics.
“We call these the ‘four pillars’ of JRA’s Anatomy of a Great Workplace,” Mr.
Veitch said.
First great work places all have a vision and values that clearly define the
organisation’s purpose and the things it holds dear, providing employees with a
sense of the bigger picture, the part they play in it, and the behaviours
expected of all employees.
“Secondly, they create a sense of community in which people experience a
strong sense of belonging, mutual trust and support, and have confidence in
their future.”
“Thirdly, they go beyond just providing job training and focus as well on
developing their people in the fullest sense, to become better people and great
leaders.
"And finally, we have found that all great workplaces are characterized by a
performance culture where high standards are set and demanded - not just by
management, but by all employees.”
For more about the New Zealand Herald Your Career Expo, see www.yourcareerexpo.co.nz.
