TRAIL/TOP 100 EMPLOYERS Making work rewarding at Teck Comino in Trail Once hired, employees at Teck Cominco’s Trail operations tend to stick around—many have been employed there for more than 20 years. How does this huge smelting complex do it? by TRISH BARNES
With 1,458 employees at its Trail operations, Teck Cominco is the Kootenays’ number 3 employer. But to many of its workers, it’s number 1: employee turnover rates are low and skilled workers seeking employment at the venerable smelting complex are never in short supply.
Teck Cominco’s communications manager, Carol Vanelli Worosz, offers a few reasons why, and they may not be what you’d expect.
“While we do have a competitive compensation package, we find that, for most of our current employees and job applicants, it’s not just about the money,” said Vanelli Worosz. “Our feedback indicates that employees and applicants strongly value such things as on-the-job training and development, career challenges and opportunities, job stability and the lifestyle available in our great local area.”
She cited Teck Cominco’s training and professional development programs as major perks for employees. One program, for example, gives participants experience in several of the 19 plants in the complex. The 12- to 18-month program includes courses in time management, personal development and the operation of other systems on the site. Participants are mentored by other staff, which helps them adjust to the industry.
“Our young engineers and apprentices have the opportunity to become experienced with a variety of plant processes and types of equipment,” Vanelli Worosz said. “The feedback we receive tells us they appreciate this aspect of the work as it keeps things interesting and challenging for them.”
While diversity at work is important, so is job stability.
“Apprentices and technicians appreciate the long-term, stable nature of the employment here,” said Vanelli Worosz. “Tradespeople who are employed by firms that provide services by contract tend to move more often, but here, they are able to put down roots.”
Teck Cominco’s Trail operation is clearly an attractive work environment for skilled workers. One might assume that female workers would account for a large number of the staff, but that isn’t the case.
“While five per cent of our full-time employees throughout the entire operation are female, that is in line with the percentage of applications we receive from women for full-time employment as a whole,” Vanelli Worosz said. “However, in terms of production and maintenance positions, we see a greater number of applications from women for part-time, co-op and seasonal work. And, when you consider employment in professional and technical positions, females fulfil 16 per cent of those positions.”
Vanelli Worosz notes that feedback from female job candidates indicates employment opportunities in the local area for spouses and partners is a significant consideration in determining a move to Trail.
“It still seems to be a cultural issue,” Vanelli Worosz said. “And, one must also consider the demographics of Trail Operations’ employees. The average age for our employees is approximately 50 years, most of whom have been with us for more than 20 years. When you look at our production and maintenance jobs, 20 years ago, women did not enter trades or labour positions in the numbers they are now.”
Key Trail contacts
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Teck Cominco Metals Ltd. Teck Cominco is a diversified mining company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The company is a world leader in the production of zinc and metallurgical coal and is also a significant producer of copper, gold and specialty metals.
Teck Cominco is committed to creating value for its shareholders while continually improving its performance as a responsible corporate citizen and a leader in its industry. The company pursues development of new technologies that make mining more economically and environmentally sustainable and strives to be a Partner of Choice wherever it operates and with whomever it is associated.
Teck Cominco Metals Ltd Po Box 1000 Trail, BC PHONE: (250) 364-4113
WEBSITE:
Columbia Power Corporation At Columbia Power Corporation (CPC), we believe in creating long-term jobs and economic and social benefits through environmentally-sound power projects. Pursuant to the Columbia Basin Accord signed in 1995, the primary mandate of CPC is to undertake power project investments as the agent of the province on a joint venture basis with the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT). The joint venture partnership is contributing to the economic, environmental and social well-being of the Columbia Basin by planning, acquiring and developing power projects in the region.
Columbia Power Corporation 200 - 445 13th Ave Castlegar, BC PHONE: (250) 365-8545
WEBSITE:
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Westshore Terminals 1 Roberts Bank Delta, BC PHONE: (604) 946-4491
WEBSITE:
Kootenay Valley Water & Spas 2253 Columbia Ave Castlegar, BC PHONE: (250) 365-8008 WEBSITE: www.kvwc.ca/
Columbia Recycle Ltd. 330-317th Ave Marysville, BC PHONE: (250) 427-2994 WEBSITE: www.columbiarecycle.com
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CXXR Corporation 807 Radio Ave Nelson, BC PHONE: (250) 352-1196
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Kootenay Direct Airlines Po Box 1137 Nelson, BC PHONE: (250) 505-3552 WEBSITE: www.flykda.com
Maglio Building Centre Ltd 29 Government RD. Nelson, BC PHONE: (250) 352-6661 WEBSITE: www.maglio.ca
Klohn Crippen Berger Ltd. (Vancouver) 500 2955 Virtual Way Vancouver, BC PHONE: (604) 669-3800 WEBSITE: www.klohn.com
