|
|
Post by Scott (Former Account) on Jul 22, 2007 17:08:51 GMT -8
|
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Jul 22, 2007 17:28:22 GMT -8
Ha..! So how come they won't hire well above average motivated people like myself? Makes me sick to see friends who I grew up and graduated just casually apply without any care about the Ferries, and getting hired almost immediately. grrrrrrr....
|
|
|
|
Post by Curtis on Jul 22, 2007 21:54:28 GMT -8
Nice Video. Make me think I'll need to get a part-time job eventually...Who knows where though. Then few years down the road attempt to get a job to the ferry system.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mac Write on Jul 22, 2007 22:26:14 GMT -8
As with the Apple Retails stores (for example) they are looking for sales people not fan boys. Same with BC Ferries, they want employees that are yes men and have experience in the customer service industry. Just my opinion.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ferry Rider 42 on Jul 22, 2007 22:48:11 GMT -8
Have to say that was a pretty good video. Very well put together and they said all the right things. Truthfully, I’ll actually cruise by their website once and a while from now on to see what they’re looking for. If the right position came along, I’d be more then willing to fly halfway across Canada to give the company a chance. The only criticism I would have for the video is its length. I would argue that it’s about two minute too long.
As for those just starting out their careers and having a bit of trouble getting their foot in the door at BCF, a little advice. Getting ones first job will always be challenging, it sure was for me. Now I don’t work at BCF, but I do work for a large company that deals with clients. Getting my foot in the door meant building my resume with client focuses skills; and I did this at a gas station. Here’s what you do, find a customer service job in a fast paced environment, example include gas-stations and grocery stores. Don’t tell them this, but you’re only planning to stick around for six months. In the end, it’s the number of months that count, not the number of hours so part-time employment works just fine for you. After being there for six month, rewrite your resume filled with all sorts of transferable skills; for example:
- Experience in a fast paced environment
- Emphasis on courteous and accurate service
- Resolve client concerns by putting the client first
- A positive and courteous demeanor with all my customers
Even after six months as a part-time employee you will be able to identify a variety of occasions you demonstrated the above traits. BCF does offer superb wages, so I can understand the difficulty obtaining employment. It’s just a matter of having that little extra experience that separates you from the masses. Good hunting and good luck.
|
|
|
|
Post by Scott on Jul 23, 2007 23:32:58 GMT -8
This video would go along with what I've heard from a few other people (although I might question their objectivity).. that since BC Ferries has become "private", they've treated their employees better and have become more flexible with work times and availability. I would be interested in hearing from some who have worked with BC Ferries under the old system and under the new system. Has much changed? Most of what I've heard is BC Ferries hasn't been a great employer in the past... pretty much the bottom of the barrel in terms of the local marine industry. Are things improving?
|
|
|
|
Post by nolonger on Jul 24, 2007 5:06:27 GMT -8
This video would go along with what I've heard from a few other people (although I might question their objectivity).. that since BC Ferries has become "private", they've treated their employees better and have become more flexible with work times and availability. I would be interested in hearing from some who have worked with BC Ferries under the old system and under the new system. Has much changed? Most of what I've heard is BC Ferries hasn't been a great employer in the past... pretty much the bottom of the barrel in terms of the local marine industry. Are things improving? Quite the opposite. They were a better employer before the Hahn reign of terror. Those who appeared in the video are mostly the yes man type or are in management. Here are a couple of cut and pasted entries from a thread about the video on the BCFMWU general chat forum. An 8 year (casual) employee in the catering department at Tsaw recently quit because the crewing department would not give him his wedding day off in August (but would the two days before and two after)  ??!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And then they put out the recruiting video. Someone needs to send this to "Adrian" (the first employee to speak on the video)........ well ex-employee, he left just recently for another "awsome" place to work, I've never seen so much forced happiness in all my life! Wow... They sure don't paint the full picture. They forgot to mention it will take on average 10yrs to get regular status. They kept saying you get time off and they are flexible with school scheduals?? Really?? Maybe after 10yrs when you get regular and the have to give you vacation. "we listen to our employees" HAHAHA right. I've been with the ferries for over 10yrs now and am still waiting for my 'opportunity for advancment' I can say i do enjoy my job but this brain washing video is over the top! I think the most ironic thing in the whole video was seeing a co-worker in the video who is on a lengthy unpaid suspension for slander against the company... |
|
|
|
Post by nolonger on Jul 24, 2007 5:12:04 GMT -8
Then there's this from another thread,maybe off topic but shows that many employees are constantly looking elsewhere and that BCF aren't the only company who are recruiting. Wages are much higher at Seaspan.
They plan to keep playing with a full deck
Tugboat Training: Facing mass exodus of retirees, Seaspan trawls for recruits
Wendy McLellan, The Province
Published: Sunday, July 22, 2007
Steve Thompson took a hard look at his workforce a few years ago and saw a worrisome future.
"I could see we were going to be in serious trouble," says the manager of marine personnel for North Vancouver-based Seaspan International, the West Coast's largest tugboat company.
"We were going to be facing a big shortage of officers, engineers and deckhands."
In 2004, the average age of Seaspan's mates, masters and engineers was 58 -- and deckhands were close on their heels. In about 15 years, 65 per cent of the company's officers would be retiring.
Rather than sit back and watch the future unfold, Thompson developed a deckhand-training program. It identifies candidates who might be the best fit for the company and puts them through an 11-day course on the tugs to test their skills. If they pass, they are put on a list to be called for work. The program is offered six times a year.
"I usually hire 16 to 24 deckhands a year, but this year I need 40.
"I'm going to have a hard time finding that many -- and Seaspan is not the only company pursuing these people," Thompson says. "All the tugboat companies and B.C. Ferries are always looking for people."
This fall, the company is also sending 16 of its deckhands to the B.C. Institute of Technology's marine campus to train as officers.
In the past, Seaspan paid tuition costs, but this year the company is also paying wages during the six-month course. And as soon as the first group finishes the program, another group will begin. A third group will head to school next fall.
Thompson says the company is looking for deckhands who are interested in a career, not a short-term job.
"We want career-oriented people who come in as deckhands and want to move up to officer status," he says.
"It's hard work, but if you love the outdoors, it's a great life.
"Sure, there's snow and wind and rain, but you get to see lots of wildlife and the scenery changes every day. You also work with a lot of different people and I don't think there are any other jobs with as much time off."
Phil Nelson, president of the Council of Marine Carriers, which represents towboat owners, says the industry is facing massive retirements over the next five years.
"We have a big problem arising, and the industry is only just now waking up to the fact that the average age of workers is well over 55 -- and young people are not joining," Nelson says.
"Companies are looking at replacing the vast majority of workers in the next five to 10 years.
"When high-school students talk to counsellors about what to do after graduation, they very rarely hear, 'Have you thought of going to sea?' But it's a fantastic business."
wmclellan@png.canwest.com
© The Vancouver Province 2007
|
|
