‘Boost to local economy’: Hard Rock Hotel and Casino filling 600 jobs in Ottawa

Nannette Dean and Rami Zok from Hard Rock Ottawa talk about how they are hiring more than 600 positions ahead of their grand opening.

A new hotel and casino in Ottawa is creating more than 600 positions across a variety of fields, which is a boost to the capital’s economy.

Hard Rock Ottawa is hosting multiple job fair events to fill the open positions.

“It’s equivalent to an audition, something that you would see on Canada’s Got Talent,” vice-president of human resources Nanette Dean told CTV Morning Live Monday.

She says the job fairs’ format is made of four stages:

1. Registration and pre-screening
2. Panel interview to assess personality
3. One-on-one interview to assess skills
4. On the spot offer

All the departments will be hiring for positions, including customer service, food and beverage, hotel services, table games, marketing, security, surveillance, slots, retail and valet, Dean explains.

“And we’re hiring from entry level all the way up to supervisory and management roles at the career fairs,” Dean said.

When asked about what it’s like to work at the Hard Rock, Rami Zok, vice-president of hotel operations, said it’s all about fun.

He says that Hard Rock is a global company with over 300 locations worldwide.

The complex is currently under construction, he says, noting that the structures of the hotel and the casino have been built.

“Very soon we’ll be announcing the opening date,” he added.

Zok says the opening of the hotel and casino will bring life to the capital.

Concordia University economics professor Moshe Lander told CTV News Ottawa Saturday the opening of the new hotel and casino is good news for Ottawa, pointing out the importance of permanent jobs.

“For tourism to have a true impact on downtown Ottawa and the market, it needs to come with permanent jobs,” Lander said.

“(Creating) 600 stable positions is a great boost to the local economy as long as the workers can find their own suitable housing, family doctors, schools for their children and easy, affordable public transportation.”

The hiring events are taking place April 22 and May 6,7 and 22 at the Rideau Carleton Casino located at 4837 Albion Road.

More information is available at rideaucarletoncasino.com/careers.