Staffing. It’s a common challenge across many marinas.
Since we believe that talented and invested team members are critical to the success of our marinas, we are always looking for ways to attract and retain quality staff–whether full-time or part-time. Dockmaster or outboard mechanic. Retail or fiberglass specialists.
Here’s what we see working:
- Use multiple recruitment channels: including local schools and vocational programs to find candidates that can grow with your business. Make use of local and national postings–even your own website.
- Competitive wages and benefits: skilled staff have many options in front of them; working with an expert to find the best benefits packages in your budget can make you more competitive. Consider creative benefits, too, like slip or merchandise discounts.
- Provide ongoing training & development: Investing in your staff with training opportunities help you expand your services with the staff you already have and fosters a sense of loyalty. The availability of online courses is staggering and ranges from leadership to technology.
- Offer flexible scheduling: Many skilled marina staff are also boaters, so being flexible with scheduling can be a powerful incentive to stay with you. Whether that is full or part-time options, flexible hours, or seasonal sabbaticals.
- Build a positive work culture: Find genuine and creative ways of recognizing success and allowing staff to take ownership of their contributions.
When TopSide Marinas acquires a new marina, respecting the existing staff and improving their environment is one of our primary missions. We work to retain and grow our crew through competitive pay, insurance packages, and positive culture.
