Dubai's Wild Wadi scoops HR awards
Wild Wadi Water Park in Dubai has been recognised by two separate industry bodies for its commitment to staff training.
The park scooped a Spirit of Excellence Award in the Best Supervisor Training Programme category at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo 2008 and the World Waterpark Association (WWA) awarded Wild Wadi Best Employee Training Programme at its 28th Annual Symposium held in Las Vegas last November.
Wild Wadi Water Park general manager Chris Perry said: “Amusement parks are about offering fun experiences to guests. These experiences can happen only when colleagues are motivated and having fun themselves to reflect that to the guests. At Wild Wadi, the welfare of our colleagues is incredibly important to us”.
One of the commended programmes was the nautical-themed S.S. Wild Wadi Walk the Plank Petty Officer Induction Programme. During the one-week management initiation, trainers educate and test employees on leadership skills.
Employees emerge from the programme as a Master, a Commander, a Captain or a Skipper. The 79 graduates to date reportedly developed a family bond, gained an understanding of colleagues’ responsibilities, and the course achieved a 100% satisfaction rating.
“Wild Wadi’s Human Resources and Training Department works closely with our Business Excellence Department to identify the areas that need development and tailor-make appropriate training. This is how the S.S. Wild Wadi training programme was developed,” said Perry.
“All of our colleagues undertake six hours of training per month, which covers the technical aspects of their job and career as well as guest service,” he added.
Perry continued saying that throughout its nine years of operation the park had closely monitored guest feedback.
“We believe that happy and dedicated colleagues make happy guests and that’s what makes Wild Wadi so special; it is the ambiance inside, the colleagues who are dancing and singing to the delight of the guests,” he said.