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The ski season has started. Occasionally, however, the mountain railways still lack the staff to utilize their full capacities over a longer period of time.
A prominent example: the Titlis mountain railways in Engelberg. There is a lack of qualified staff, says managing director Norbert Patt. And in all areas – whether in the railway sector or in gastronomy. In addition, they are looking for unskilled support staff for the first time.
We are still looking for 25 employees.
At the beginning of the winter season, the Titlis mountain railways lacked around ten percent of their staff, according to the managing director. In the meantime it is a little less bad, but 25 of a total of 350 positions are still vacant.
As a result, you have to make compromises, and not the entire infrastructure can be used – at least not permanently. If necessary, the bars served could be converted into takeaway or self-service restaurants. “We also have certain systems in the rail sector that we can close. But that won’t be the case until January and certainly not over Christmas and New Years. “
It is the case that the employees are at the attack these days.
In the next two weeks, the tourists in Engelberg should be able to enjoy the full program – supported by decimated staff. Engelberg is aware of this additional burden. The employees are on the attack these days, says Patt.
Acute staff shortages can be bridged with various measures. In the medium to long term, the aim is to defuse the situation by investing in employee training, Patt continues.
Less scope for smaller ski areas
Different location, similar picture: The Hochwang sports railways between Chur and Arosa also complain about a lack of staff.
We have practically zero applications for job advertisements.
The managing director of Sportbahnen Hochwang, Patrick Angehrn says that hardly anyone applies for job advertisements. In addition, as a smaller ski area, you don’t have the same requirements as the big ones. “Larger ski areas may have even more opportunities to compensate for individual spots from other areas.” It could well happen that the managing director relieves a railroad employee in the Hochwang ski area for lunch.
The explanation for the tight personnel situation is that, due to the Corona situation, many seasonal workers have oriented themselves differently, would have preferred to accept a permanent position or have completely said goodbye to industries.
The situation cannot be generalized
According to Tourism Switzerland and the Association of the Swiss Cable Car Industry SBS, there are individual cases – at least SBS is not aware that ski areas would have to make compromises due to the lack of staff.
The industry faces this topic again and again and with success.
That is why the Association of the Swiss Cable Car Industry sees no reason to take any measures: “It is true that looking for and finding suitable personnel is a certain challenge every year. However, the industry faces this topic again and again and with success. “
Winter sports enthusiasts do not have to fear that they will suddenly get stuck on the chairlift due to a lack of staff. On the other hand, the scenario in which you look forward to the warm “Bergstübli” after a cold and windy descent and instead find a takeaway stand could definitely become a reality this winter.