How do you retain valuable knowledge when experienced employees quit?

Prevent knowledge loss and give experience a permanent place in your park

When experienced forces leave, more disappears than meets the eye

In many recreation parks, it is the older employees who make sure everything runs smoothly. They know the park like the back of their hand, know exactly how to deal with guests and recognize with a glance whether a cottage is really clean. But what happens when they retire or decide to quit?

The departure of these colleagues doesn't just mean you have to replace someone in the roster. You also lose a wealth of experience and park-specific knowledge. Fortunately, you can retain that knowledge if you start on time.

Why sharing knowledge is so important

Often, the more experienced employees know:

• How to keep track during seasonal peaks
• Which malfunctions keep recurring in certain cottages
• How to induct new colleagues quickly and well
• What you do when a regular guest threatens to leave dissatisfied

If you don't share or record that knowledge, new colleagues have to keep reinventing the wheel. That costs time, energy and can be at the expense of the guest experience. A shame, because with a few smart actions you can easily secure knowledge within your team.

Five ways to retain knowledge

1. Pair old and new in a buddy system

Have new employees shadow experienced colleagues. Not only during induction, but also through set moments when knowledge is shared. Think of workplace coaching or short knowledge sessions during the morning start.

2. Create a handbook full of practical experience

Have your team co-write an internal handbook or digital knowledge portal. Often the most valuable information is only in your colleagues' heads. Capturing that knowledge makes it available to everyone.

3. Schedule regular knowledge sessions or walk-throughs

Give your team a quarterly opportunity to learn from each other. Have experienced colleagues explain their methods or organize a walk-through day where you see how someone does things. You'll be surprised how many smart, practical tips are running around your park.

4. Use short instructional videos

A video showing someone how to efficiently clean a house or fix a malfunction is often clearer than a long text. With a few images, you make information accessible and relatable to everyone.

5. Make every exit interview a learning opportunity

When a colleague leaves, don't just ask how they liked the job. Also ask what routines work really well, what to watch out for and what they themselves would have liked to know earlier. Immediately turn this input into practical instructions or team transfer.

From head to handbook: this is how to keep knowledge alive

By consciously investing in knowledge transfer, you show that you value your employees' experience. You prevent valuable insights from being lost and ensure that your team is well prepared for the future.

Because no matter how good your systems are, it's ultimately your people who make the difference. And their knowledge is worth its weight in gold.