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Skyline Skyrides is an iconic New Zealand tourism operation, hosting ten percent of tourists that visit to New Zealand and thirty percent of all tourists to Rotorua.

This popular tourist attraction includes gondolas, luges, a sky swing, scenic walking tracks, and function facilities, as well as retail and food and beverage operations. Situated on the side of Mount Ngongotaha, Skyline Skyrides provides panoramic views of the city centre, Lake Rotorua, and the surrounding geothermal areas.

Recognised by industry as a flagship for workplace training and assessment, Skyline Skyrides is a great example of how on-the-job training is a critical factor to business success.

Skyline Skyrides believe their staff retention levels are amongst the highest in New Zealand tourism enterprises, with management fostering an environment of continuous learning which ensures a wide range of training and development opportunities are available for all staff.

“The majority of our staff are involved in some form of training on a daily basis, whether that be at an assessment level or at a basic coaching level,” says Hayley Murray, Human Resource and Quality Manager.

Skyline Skyrides has a well-developed culture of continuous improvement, and recognise that providing training and development opportunities for staff is one of the key factors in staff satisfaction.

“When staff members get their National Certificate that says they have achieved, which recognises them for something they do well every day, that’s the biggest buzz,” says Ms Murray.
 
In 2007, Skyline Skyrides had 59 trainees studying for National Certificates in Tourism and Travel, and 13 staff members completing or working towards their Tourism Modern Apprenticeship, reflecting the clear commitment of management towards staff training and development.

“A drive to succeed from above filters down through the whole team,” says Ms Murray. “Without that determination we are not going to move forward, and we would never have been as successful as we are today. We hope that success will grow in the future.”