The Whistler Chamber of Commerce is undertaking a study to determine what training is available and what training is needed by Whistler businesses and their employees. The chamber has received funding from Human Resources Development Canada to do the study. A local firm, Training Analysis Survey Consultants, has been hired to complete an inventory of existing training programs and training needs. Ele Clarke, one of the principals in TASC, said the firm will be surveying local businesses starting the week of Sept. 21. Surveys have been developed following two focus group sessions, one with human resources personnel of the major local employers, the other with small business leaders. The surveys will be sent out by e-mail and by fax. Once the survey results have been completed they will be presented to the chamber of commerce with the expectation that additional training programs can be developed to fill the needs identified. Capilano College, the Howe Sound School Board and the Community Futures office in Squamish are all potential partners for new training programs. Meanwhile, the chamber is also involved in an initiative called One Whistler, Partners for the Future. The group includes representation from the chamber, the Whistler Resort Association, the municipality, Whistler/Blackcomb, the Chateau Whistler Resort, Delta Whistler Resort and the retail sector. Among the issues One Whistler is participating in are the training survey, the lack of consistency in a application of the U.S. exchange rate, partnership marketing, and discussion of the future of the Whistler Conference Centre.
