The Fernie Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Tourism Fernie, is excited to officially launch this new website designed to attract much-needed workers to the Elk Valley. The ‘Work in Fernie’ workforce attraction website and online job board aims to address the ongoing labour shortages experienced by many businesses in Fernie, by showcasing the diversity of careers and amazing lifestyle on offer in the area to potential workers. In addition to the job listings, there is a wealth of inspirational content and key resources for those job seekers looking to move to the region.
The idea of building a workforce attraction program was identified by the Fernie Chamber of Commerce board of directors in their 2019/2020 strategic plan. This issue was also identified as a priority action item in the soon-to-be-launched Fernie Tourism Master Plan and is aligned with a project area in the Kootenay Rockies Destination Development Strategy. The ‘Work in Fernie’ project concept was developed by the Fernie Chamber of Commerce in late 2019, with seed funding for the project awarded through the Rural Dividend Fund – administered by the Government of British Columbia’s Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.
A close collaborator with the Fernie Chamber, Tourism Fernie is a key partner on the ‘Work in Ferne’ project. Tourism Fernie generously furnished the new website with donated photography assets and will assist with ongoing marketing support of the project. It is the hope of the two organizations that this project will help to alleviate some of the challenges the labour shortage issue has brought to tourism operators, and the broader business community in the Elk Valley – especially as they face an uncertain economic recovery from COVID-19.
Social media accounts and digital marketing efforts will support the initiative with ongoing annual investment. The ‘Work in Fernie’ website project is working in collaboration with Go2HR, Kootenay Employment Services, and the local Fernie WorkBC office.
Working in Fernie is more than a smart career move – it’s a lifestyle. Explore all this website has to offer and come join us in the beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountains!
