NEWS RELEASE
BLUE MOUNTAIN RESORT
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Blue Mountain Resort is getting ready for the back-to-school season by providing tuition assistance to another round of eligible employees graduating from high school and heading into post-secondary education. For 26 students who have worked at the resort prior to their entrance into college or university, Blue Mountain will be providing up to $5,000 each toward their tuition this fall.
“We strongly believe in the value of supporting our team to help them achieve their goals,” says Lesley Biffin, VP of human resources for Blue Mountain. “We are excited to see what our team members can achieve with the help of their experience at Blue and the support of our Tuition Assistance Program.”
Blue Mountain introduced its Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) in January 2016. The program is available to eligible Blue Mountain employees who work a minimum of two consecutive seasons (either the same season twice, or consecutive seasons) and who are enrolled in a post-secondary institution.
“Many local high school students first enter into the workforce at Blue Mountain,” says Biffin. “Along with seasonal and part-time opportunities, a job at Blue offers students the benefit of being outside, and access to a season pass and discounts on off-hill attractions. The Tuition Assistance Program is another way we can support our employees by supporting their goals beyond their time at Blue Mountain.”
After four years of working at Plunge! Aquatic Centre, high school graduate and Blue Mountain alum, Kate McCurdy, is looking forward to pursuing a degree in Commerce at McMaster University with the help of her TAP funds. “When my parents and I first looked at programs, the cost of housing, food, tuition, and books… I knew I had to do all I could to help get my degree,” notes McCurdy. “My manager at Plunge!, Erin, made sure all of the staff knew about the Tuition Assistance Program and made it incredibly easy to apply for it. Now between my savings, help from my family and OSAP, and the funds from Blue Mountain, my first year is all set.”
Kate adds that she hopes to continue working at Blue during her spring and summer breaks and her younger sister is also enrolled in TAP as an employee at Blue Mountain.
Since the program’s inception, Blue Mountain Resort has supported a total of 51 students with over $80,000 in funding toward their tuition fees. Along with TAP, the Resort has invested significant investment in programs that support employee development both professionally and personally.
More information about the Tuition Assistance Program and employment at Blue Mountain can be found online.
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