BC Ferries (BCF) is hoping some travellers might be willing to pass their time on board looking into a career with the ferry company.
BCF said the company had booths set up on several recent sailings on four routes, including Langdale-Horseshoe Bay, recruiting for seasonal and casual positions.
“Onboard recruiting is a new initiative for BC Ferries to help raise the profile of our employment opportunities,” said Deborah Marshall, the company’s executive director of public affairs, who also noted that BC Ferries has recently been named one of the province’s top employers.
The need for more workers as plans move forward for terminal expansion, and an eventual shift to more frequent sailings on Route 3, was one of the topics that came up at the last meeting of the Southern Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee
Marine superintendent Lance Lomax said BCF really wants to have more locals as part of the workforce, but had been finding it difficult to get qualified crew members from the Sunshine Coast.
“We’ve love to have more local graduates start possibly looking at a marine career,” he said. “BC Ferries is one of the best organizations in the world – I know I’ve worked with them for almost 40 years – and I think there’s a lot of opportunity for local youth to get involved. We’ve got lots of jobs.”
Chris Morris, regional manager of terminal operations, also said they’re looking to hire locals for terminal jobs.
According to Marshall, the company is hoping to fill 20 to 25 catering positions on the Langdale route, including cooks, and five vacancies for deckhands with bridge watch certificates.
BC Ferries will also be participating in a job fair April 6 in Gibsons.
