If you want the highest-producing and most skilled technicians in the industry, then your facility has to have something that attracts them and retains them. Money is one way, but survey after survey shows that staff appreciate other things more than cash. Courtesy of the Attraction & Retention Committee of the Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF), we are pleased to present 25 ways you can attract and retain the best in the business.

1. Do staff BBQ's connected to achieving team goals
2. Help fund ongoing education. Work and non-work related.
3. Employee of the month that leads to employee of the year, as voted by fellow employees.
4. Have a special brochure made of opportunities at your company.
5. Set up profit sharing.
6. Invest in property development on behalf of employees to create long-term bonus pool.
7. Pension plans/RRSP contributions.
8. Pay employee's salary when they are off on volunteer work.
9. Take an employee with you to a career day.
10. Invite high school and trade schools to visit your shop.
11. Create company initiatives that help employees see that the company cares.
12. Hold a business conference with fun attached.
13. Long-term service award.
14. Special days off with pay. For example: Anniversary, Birthday, children's first day of school, etc.
15. Take an employee and spouse to NACE each year. (Add Sema into that)
16. Make a bereavement time and pay policy.
17. Create a benefits program.
18. Bring employees to CCIF.
19. Have a family summer activity.
20. Completely tool your entire shop. In other words, no employee owned tools.

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