Alberta's Top Employers (2025) Magazine - Flipbook - Page 42
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ALBERTA’S TOP EMPLOYERS (2025)
Fairmont’s Mountain Region helps staff reach their peak
M
oving from India
to Guelph, Ont.,
wasn’t as much of
a culture shock for
Implepreet Sahota
as moving across Canada to work
for Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
in Alberta, one of five hotels
operated by Fairmont’s Canadian
Western Mountain Region.
“Coming from such a busy
environment to here, which is so
quiet and serene – it was a big
transition,” says the conference
services manager.
That transition ended up being
a smooth one thanks to the excellent onboarding and supportive
community she found with her
new employer.
“I was so nervous because
it’s such a big company,” she
recalls. “But the onboarding was
so good that it really set the tone
for my journey.”
Sahota started at the hotel
through Inspire, Fairmont’s
18-month leadership development
program which improves soft
skills and emotional intelligence
for new leaders.
Three years of learning and
three promotions later, she’s still
at the chateau and excited by the
opportunities.
“Relationships and proven trust
helped shape my career here,”
she says. “Whenever I wanted to
try something new, my director
sat down with me to make a plan.
I’ve never been made to feel like
something is impossible.”
Opportunity at the company
isn’t tied to enrolment in its many
training programs, however – it
can be as simple as raising one’s
hand.
That was the case 25 years ago
when Jennifer Melanson was
working in food and beverage at
the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
Melanson, who had studied
human resources, applied to become human resources secretary.
Over two decades later, she’s now
regional director of talent and
culture.
“I could list all the training I
received, but more importantly
there is a culture of freedom to
progress in whatever direction you
choose,” says Melanson. “It's very
individualized.”
Movement within the organization is so encouraged that the
regional hub has implemented a
hiring strategy called Opportunity
Knocks.
Every two weeks, talent acquisition shares success stories from
employees moving into leadership roles, along with current
leadership openings, while
prioritizing internal applicants.
“You get to watch how people
are growing in their careers. It’s really wonderful to see,” Melanson
says.
The learning and development
culture stems from many places,
including being a people-first
organization, she explains. “Being
focused on guest satisfaction and
guest experience, it’s in our nature
to deliver that to our employees as
well.”
Whenever I’ve wanted to
try something new, my
director sat down with me
to make a plan. I’ve never
been made to feel like
something is impossible.
— Implepreet Sahota
Conference Services
Manager
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Employees at Fairmont’s Canadian Western Mountain Region attend a training session at the organization’s
Banff Springs location.
Recruitment and retention are
also key players and have pushed
the hotels to focus more on
employee investment.
“We’ve been very intentional
about investing in all of our employees,” says Melanson. “They're
going to be better at what they
do, have more confidence and be
more loyal.”
The investment has shown
marked success, slashing recruitment by almost one third.
Training and development
opportunities run the gamut and
include an online culinary school,
student work experience programs
and luxury service training, as
well as diversity and inclusion or
