Professional Documents
Culture Documents
CAREERS: The Next Generation 2012
CAREERS: The Next Generation 2012
511
SCHOOLS
HOSTED
CAREERS IN
2011
1,020
EMPLOYERS HAD A
CAREERS STUDENT
LAST YEAR
4
,
187
ABORIGINAL YOUTH
ATTENDED A CAREERS WORKSHOP
2021 PROJECTED CUMULATIVE LABOUR SHORTAGE
114,278
288
COMMUNITIES
ACROSS
ALBERTA
1
,
514
STUDENT INTERNS EXPERIENCED
A WORK PLACEMENT
NORTHERN STARS
STUDENT WORKSHOP
PARTICIPANTS
32
,
709
HOW CAREERS WORKS
FOR ALL PARTNERS
THE EDUCATION
IMPACT OF CAREERS
SUCCESS STORIES: MEET
INTERNS AND MENTORS
THE FUTURE
OF CAREERS
HAVE YOU
HEARD?
The air quality in Wood Bufalo is
better than in many major cities in
North America.
The air doesnt belong to us
it belongs to the region and its
inhabitants, who depend on our
care of the land. That is why we
are committing $1.6 billion to reduce
SO
2
emissions by 60%. And why we
will continue to invest in technology
that maintains good air quality.
Because being the best means never
forgetting that we can do better.
Learn more. Sign up for our
e-newsletter at syncrude.ca
The Syncrude Project is a joint venture undertaking among Canadian Oil Sands Partnership #1, Imperial Oil Resources, Mocal Energy Limited, Murphy Oil Company Ltd., Nexen Oil Sands Partnership,
Sinopec Oil Sands Partnership, and Suncor Energy Oil and Gas Partnership.
Syncrude_CAREERS_OSB2012 - FP.pdf_Layout 1 12-08-27 11:27 AM Page 1
CELEBRATI NG
15
Y E A R S
CAREERS:
THE NEXT GENERATION
Careers_2012_p68-01.indd 1 9/28/12 3:28:40 PM
Congratulations to
CAREERS: The Next Generation
on its 15th year of helping to develop youth
and the future of industry in our community.
Total E&P Canada is a proud supporter of the Oilsands Celebration Banquet.
www.total-ep-canada.com
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Careers_2012_p02-03.indd 2 9/28/12 3:22:29 PM
Congratulations to
CAREERS: The Next Generation
on its 15th year of helping to develop youth
and the future of industry in our community.
Total E&P Canada is a proud supporter of the Oilsands Celebration Banquet.
www.total-ep-canada.com
TOTAL_CAREERS_OSB2012 - FP_Layout 1 12-09-02 12:51 PM Page 1 AECON_CAREERS_OSB2012 - FP_Layout 1 12-09-04 8:57 AM Page 1
Careers_2012_p02-03.indd 3 9/28/12 3:22:31 PM
We know education takes place not only in school but also
on the job. CAREERS: The Next Generation plays a key role
in developing the workforce that Shell and our industry require.
At Shell, weve proudly supported CAREERS:
The Next Generation since 2003.
@Shell_Canada
LETS BUILD A BETTER
ENERGY FUTURE.
Shell_CAREERS_OSB2012 - FP_Layout 1 12-09-25 10:30 AM Page 1
Careers_2012_p04-05.indd 4 9/28/12 3:21:07 PM
We know education takes place not only in school but also
on the job. CAREERS: The Next Generation plays a key role
in developing the workforce that Shell and our industry require.
At Shell, weve proudly supported CAREERS:
The Next Generation since 2003.
@Shell_Canada
LETS BUILD A BETTER
ENERGY FUTURE.
Shell_CAREERS_OSB2012 - FP_Layout 1 12-09-25 10:30 AM Page 1
9 Message
From Eric Newell and Andy Neigel
AtCAREERS:theNextGenerationweworkcloselywith
parents,schoolsandemployers.Joinusaswelooktothe
futureofCAREERS.
64 Thankyou
CAREERS: the Next Generationwould like to thank
theirvolunteersandpartnersinindustry,educationand
communitiesacrossAlberta.
66 ByThenuMBers
Thousands of lives are touched every year by CAREERS:
theNextGenerationprograms.
11 MeeTingTheneedsofageneraTion
CAREERS: the Next Generation began in response to
aloominglabourshortageforAlbertasoilsands.Founder
EricNewell,board
directorsandformer
staftellthestoryof
howCAREERScame
tobeanorganization
thatmeetstheneeds
ofindustryand
transformsthelivesof
thousandsofAlberta
teenseveryyear.
By BoBBi-Sue Menard
18 educaTionadvanTage
To get the attention of the modern teen is no easy feat.
CAREERSpresentsworkshopsandcareeroptionsto
teensinhighschoolsacrossAlbertawiththedirect
supportofprogramspecialists,highschoolcounsellors,
andeducationleaders.
By elizaBeth Chorney-Booth
27 sharedPassion
Team members at CAREERS share their inside view
ontheimpactofCAREERS,whytheyarededicatedto
theorganizationandthepossibilitiesforthefuture.
By Cailynn KlingBeil
40 aTTracTingTalenT
The Health Sciences
CareerCampallowsyouth
toexperiencemanydiferent
healthsciencesprograms,tour
facilitiesandmeetandlearn
fromavarietyofhealth-care
professionalsinaweeklong
camp.Ourphotographer,
EugeneUhaud,takesinthe
actiononasingledayatthe
campheldatNorquestColleges
campus,August13-16,2012.
By Cailynn KlingBeil
61 lookToThefuTure
The demand for a trained workforce continues to grow.
ThefutureholdsopportunitiesandchallengesforCAREERS
tomeettheneedsofAlbertaindustryandworkersthrough
education,businessandpartnerships.
By Caitlin CrawShaw
feaTures
coluMns
Profiles
23 leadingThenexTgeneraTion
A good relationship between apprentice and journeyman
changeslivesforeverandcreatesthequalityworkforceindustry
needstothrive.Meetsevenapprenticesandjourneymenwhose
experienceswiththeCAREERSRegisteredApprenticeship
Programsetthestandardfortalentrecruitment.
The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet norThernsTars
CAREERS: the Next Generation conTenTs
FALL 2012
Careers_2012_p04-05.indd 5 10/1/12 2:35:26 PM
Big jobs. Big pride. Big team spirit.
Were hiring skilled tradespeople,
operators and technicians.
Go ahead. Apply now! www.suncor.com/trades
Connect with
your future!
Trademark of Suncor Energy Inc.
Suncor_CAREERS_OSB2012 - FP_Layout 1 12-09-22 3:08 PM Page 1
Careers_2012_p06-07.indd 6 9/28/12 3:18:38 PM
Integrated Solutions
to Address Caprock
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Schlumberger_CAREERS_OSB2012 - 1/3SQ_Layout 1 12-09-26 3:35 PM Page 1
Cenovus_CAREERS_OSB2012 - 1/3SQ_Layout 1 12-09-10 3:33 PM Page 1
10259-105 Street,
Edmonton, AB T5J 1E3
Tel: 780-990-0839 Fax: 780-425-4921
NORTHERN STARS
RUTH KELLY
Publisher
JOYCE BYRNE
Associate Publisher
BOBBI-SUE MENARD
Managing Editor
CAILYNN KLINGBEIL
Associate Editor
CHARLES BURKE
Art Director
ANDREA DEBOER
Associate Art Director
COLIN SPENCE
Assistant Art Director
BETTY-LOU SMITH
Production Coordinator
BRENT FELZIEN
Production Technician
Northern Stars is the annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet,
celebrating corporate and community leadership in Wood Bufalo.
Northern Stars is published through a collaboration between Venture
Publishing and Westbrier Communications. The 2012 honoree is
CAREERS: the Next Generation. To be placed on a list to receive more
information about the banquet and the organizations it supports,
email: westbrier@shaw.ca
VENTURE PUBLISHING INC.
WESTBRIER COMMUNICATIONS
PHIL ENARSON
Event Management & Marketing
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:
Elizabeth Chorney-Booth, Caitlin Crawshaw,
Matt Hirji
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS:
FX Photographic, Rob Ganzeveld, Greg Halinda,
Jef Noon, Kelly Redinger, Eugene Uhuad
ERIC NEWELL
Founder, Board Chair
ANDY NEIGEL
President/CEO
ALAN FISHER
VP, Operations
JERRY HECK
VP, Stakeholder Relations & Growth
Big jobs. Big pride. Big team spirit.
Were hiring skilled tradespeople,
operators and technicians.
Go ahead. Apply now! www.suncor.com/trades
Connect with
your future!
Trademark of Suncor Energy Inc.
Suncor_CAREERS_OSB2012 - FP_Layout 1 12-09-22 3:08 PM Page 1
CAREERS: THE NEXT GENERATION
Careers_2012_p06-07.indd 7 10/1/12 2:37:06 PM
Chelsie Klassen
lmperial Oil
Joanne Hogg
Canadian Natural
Chelsie Klassen
Community Relations,
lmperial Oil
Canada,
tunities oppor
Energy from the
and here at home. Canada,
for tunities
oil sands Energy from the
and here at home.
all people for
oil sands
and here at home.
across
means oil sands
every day in today'
women making a dif
Celebrating the men and
s oil sands. every day in today'
ence fer women making a dif
Celebrating the men and
over 90 per cent of Canada'
The Canadian Association of Petr
A message fr
s natural gas and crude oil, including Canada' over 90 per cent of Canada'
oducers (CAPPj r oleum Pr The Canadian Association of Petr
s Oil Sands Pr om Canada' A message fr
gy at work for all Canadians. Ener
s Oil Sands Pr s natural gas and crude oil, including Canada'
esents member companies that epr oducers (CAPPj r
oducers. oilsandstoday s Oil Sands Pr
gy at work for all Canadians.
oducers. s Oil Sands Pr
oduce pr esents member companies that
.ca oducers. oilsandstoday
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000CAR-CAPP-FP.indd 1 9/26/12 4:13:59 PM Careers_2012_p08-09.indd 8 9/28/12 3:17:02 PM
Chelsie Klassen
lmperial Oil
Joanne Hogg
Canadian Natural
Chelsie Klassen
Community Relations,
lmperial Oil
Canada,
tunities oppor
Energy from the
and here at home. Canada,
for tunities
oil sands Energy from the
and here at home.
all people for
oil sands
and here at home.
across
means oil sands
every day in today'
women making a dif
Celebrating the men and
s oil sands. every day in today'
ence fer women making a dif
Celebrating the men and
over 90 per cent of Canada'
The Canadian Association of Petr
A message fr
s natural gas and crude oil, including Canada' over 90 per cent of Canada'
oducers (CAPPj r oleum Pr The Canadian Association of Petr
s Oil Sands Pr om Canada' A message fr
gy at work for all Canadians. Ener
s Oil Sands Pr s natural gas and crude oil, including Canada'
esents member companies that epr oducers (CAPPj r
oducers. oilsandstoday s Oil Sands Pr
gy at work for all Canadians.
oducers. s Oil Sands Pr
oduce pr esents member companies that
.ca oducers. oilsandstoday
gy at work for all Canadians.
000CAR-CAPP-FP.indd 1 9/26/12 4:13:59 PM
Welcome
We invite you to celebrate with us as CAREERS: the Next Generation reaches
a milestone: 15 years of working with parents, schools and employers to give
Alberta youth a path to a career and build a skilled Alberta workforce
Students want the opportunity to explore career options to
nd that passion that makes them excited about their future.
Our experience is that students who nd their career niche
tend to be more productive, motivated and innovative in the
workplace.
Recently the Government of Alberta introduced Inspir-
ing Education, which is a dialogue with Albertans that aims
to build on an already successful learning system. ree
important characteristics identied for future success of
an educated Albertan are to be an engaged thinker, ethical
citizen and have an entrepreneurial spirit. CAREERS is very
much aligned with these ideal characteristics. Many students
entering CAREERS programs become more engaged thinkers
as relevance to learning in school and workplace learning
increases. Many of our successful workplaces in Alberta have
strong entrepreneurial cultures that our student interns can
witness and learn from rst-hand.
We continue to promote the three WINS at CAREERS
that result from students having the opportunity to connect to
a career. e rst WIN is with young Albertans who become
better students; the second WIN is with the employer who can
grow his or her own skilled workforce and the third WIN is
with the community that has engaged productive citizens.
However, our success even after 15 years is just beginning
to tap into the opportunity of engaging our youth in career
exploration. We know that having 10,000 student interns
working with many thousands of employers each year is
possible. Imagine if all students had the opportunity to
kick the tires of the many career opportunities that exist in
Albertas vibrant economy. Imagine if all employers were an
extension of our schools and key partners in educating our
youth. Imagine if communities had youth participating and
becoming future leaders in building better places to live. is
is all possible but it starts with schools, parents and employers
providing the opportunity. CAREERS will continue to be the
catalyst to bring the partners together. Lets take advantage of
the situation to grow our own workforce.
C
Message from CAREERS: the Next Generation
AREERS began in the Fort McMurray region
in the 1990s and 15 years later is active in over
500 schools in almost 300 communities across
Alberta, working with more than 1,000 employers
each year to place 1,500 youth as interns in the workplace.
Working closely with students, parents, schools and employ-
ers, we are able to help connect the dots between learning
and earning. CAREERS has expanded our program oerings
to align with projected gaps in skilled worker opportunities.
We have led in development of dual-credit programs that
allow students to pursue a career path in a post-secondary
learning institution while attending high school.
As Alberta grows, our key limiting factor in reaching our
potential is availability of a skilled workforce. is is where
CAREERS comes in.
9 The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet NORTHERN STARS
Eric Newell, CAREERS
Chair, Board of Directors
Andy Neigel, CAREERS
CEO, President
Careers_2012_p08-09.indd 9 10/1/12 2:38:37 PM
w w w . k e y a n o . c a
Look for the grand opening of Keyano Colleges new
Oilsands Power and Process Engineering Lab the fall of 2013
Congratulations to Careers the Next Generation
on 15 years of success!
KEYANO COLLEGE AND CAREERS
THE NEXT GENERATION
TRADES
TECHNOLOGY
HEALTH SCI ENCES
Working towards
building and
securing a
sustainable
workforce.
A YYA E K
CO OO AN
AN E EG L L CO
AR C DD AN
S R E E RRE
A YYA E K
CO OO AN
AN E EG L L CO
AR C DD AN
RE S R E E R
Keyano_CAREERS_OSB2012 - FP_Layout 1 12-09-02 12:46 PM Page 1
Careers_2012_p10-17.indd 10 9/28/12 3:12:45 PM
w w w . k e y a n o . c a
Look for the grand opening of Keyano Colleges new
Oilsands Power and Process Engineering Lab the fall of 2013
Congratulations to Careers the Next Generation
on 15 years of success!
KEYANO COLLEGE AND CAREERS
THE NEXT GENERATION
TRADES
TECHNOLOGY
HEALTH SCI ENCES
Working towards
building and
securing a
sustainable
workforce.
A YYA E K
CO OO AN
AN E EG L L CO
AR C DD AN
S R E E RRE
A YYA E K
CO OO AN
AN E EG L L CO
AR C DD AN
RE S R E E R
Keyano_CAREERS_OSB2012 - FP_Layout 1 12-09-02 12:46 PM Page 1
ach year a seemingly disparate group of people
comes together to celebrate. Glowing with pride,
teens speak in front of an enthusiastic audience of
corporate decision-makers about their achievements
in the trades and their nascent mastery of technical training.
The audience is peppered with parents, grateful for a lifetime
opportunity and path for their young adults. Teachers are
E
there, listening to the teens speak of an educational program
that is remarkably eective, authentic and successful. It
is even possible to see journeypersons, experienced in
Albertas trades, attentively watching and listening to the
teens who, only months before, were raw and untested in the
workforce. Now, after many hours of patience, theyre on the
path to a promising career.
By Bobbi-Sue Menard
P
H
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O
:
R
O
B
G
A
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E
V
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L
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Meeting the Needs
of a Generation
CAREERS: the Next Generation is a made-in-Alberta response to match
the workforce needs of business with the goals and dreams of
Albertas young people
11 The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet NORTHERN STARS
CAREERS: the Next Generation
DANIELLE KIRKWOOD, Syncrude.
Careers_2012_p10-17.indd 11 9/28/12 3:12:55 PM
Began work with TECH PREP, a model for
assisting youth with school-to-work
transitions beyond the trades
January 1997,
the o cial launch of
CAREERS as a foundation
13 communities involved
in programs
First province wide
conference held:
2000 PLUS: Ready for
Our Future
Doubled number of communities involved to 26
The RAP PLUS program introduced in Edmonton
and Calgary
1997 1998 1999
The evening is the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP)
Scholarship Celebration, one of many annual events hosted by
CAREERS: the Next Generation. The RAP Scholarship Dinner
recognizes the successes of apprentices whove come up through
the high school RAP program.
The RAP is one of the most visible programs operated by the
organization. Last year, 1,095 RAP student interns were placed
at companies around Alberta. Yet the RAP is only a part of what
CAREERS does. In 2011, CAREERS placed a total 1,514 student
interns in a wide variety of disciplines including healthcare,
power engineering, oil and gas eld production operator and
dozens of red seal trades. Last year, CAREERS had programming
in 511 schools in 288 communities across the province and
a whopping 32,709 students took part in the organizations
student participant workshops. The impressive numbers are a
15-year culmination of passion and dedication that brings to life
the clich that children are our future.
Start From Scratch
The story of CAREERS begins in 1989, years before its launch as
an o cial not-for-prot in 1997. Eric Newell, former Chair and
CEO of Syncrude, former Chancellor Emeritus of the University
of Alberta, and holder of a long list of board postings, founded
CAREERS during the early years of his tenure at Syncrude.
The economy of 1989 was dierent than that of today. The
current oil sands were a plan, not a reality, in an era when a barrel
of light sweet crude was $23.43 (non-adjusted for ination).
Coming o of the recession of the early-1980s, with the economic
downturn of the 90s approaching, the baby boomer demo-
graphic was relatively secure, but the following generation faced
career-related uncertainty.
Newell sat on the education committee of the Alberta
Chamber of Resources and was struck by the dismal oil and gas
sector employment reality for youth at the time. The average
age of a rst-year apprentice was 27. The average age of a skilled
person in the patch was 47, in the oil sands that average age was
in the 50s.
Back then, youth unemployment was the biggest issue of the
day, says Newell.
There was a real disconnect between young people and
great careers that demanded high skills and delivered a great
paycheque. To complicate the matter, Newell could also see a
knowledge economy approaching.
Young people were viewing the trades as a last resort. That
was quite devastating for me at Syncrude. How could we get the oil
sands going without workers? We saw the shortage at that time.
The starting place to meet the need for a skilled workforce
was not self-evident. Newell began working with the Alberta
Chamber of Resources on several dierent initiatives. CAREERS
evolved from those rst eorts to engage people in preparing for
the predicted shortfall in the trades.
Create Partnerships
Education, at grassroots, middle management and provincial
policy levels became one of the primary partners of CAREERS,
and the main avenue for it to reach youth on the cusp of making
serious decisions about their future.
How relationships were developed with the education com-
munity illustrates Newells two-part philosophy for carrying out
a plan. I am a great believer that youve got to have senior people
sitting at the top on the policy side, says Newell. Then if you are
going to make change, do it right on the ground.
In the beginning years, CAREERS seconded senior sta
members from industry and education and approached
www.nextgen.org CAREERS: THE NEXT GENERATION 12
I think that CAREERS is well prepared to meet
technological advancements within the workplace.
By having a partnership between education and
industry, each sector can easily provide feedback
and update the other on advances in technology.
I see CAREERS as the conduit for information sharing
between the two sectors.
David Morhart, CAREERS board member; Deputy Minister
of Enterprise and Advanced Education
Careers_2012_p10-17.indd 12 10/1/12 2:44:08 PM
Partnered in establishing two community
mobilization models in Fort McMurray and
Medicine Hat
Implemented two career path partnerships:
pipetter/steamtter path; a technician and
mentorship model for RAP
Second conference held:
Explore the Opportunities Share the Rewards
Partnership with Alberta
Health and Wellness formed
in all 17 Health Regions
within Alberta, became
known as the CAREERS Health
Services Youth Initiative
Introduced Aboriginal Youth
Initiative as a three-year
pilot program
2000 2001 2002
P
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O
:
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community representatives to nd out their priorities and
issues. Working closely with the education system, CAREERS
launched pilot projects. Newell and a small group of volunteers
approached provincial education decision-makers with the
goal of working with policy leaders to bring Albertas education
system to the top of the global list. Their concerns resonated.
In 1992, Albertas education system had some room for
improvement, especially in science and math. Tireless eorts
on the part of dedicated educators produced measureable gains
within a decade.
Build on What Works
In a 1992 Fort McMurray-based endeavor, Keyano College with
the help of volunteer Jim Carter (also a former CEO of Syncrude)
developed CAREERS Co-op Apprenticeship model. Today the
Co-op Apprenticeship program works with youth who have
graduated from high school and are looking to complete their four years of post-secondary in a
trade. It was inspirational for the RAP, which works with high school youth to explore a career
option and start their apprenticeship early.
The Co-op Apprenticeship was the rst major program of CAREERS and was its true starting
point, culminating in a two-year pilot project initiated in 1995. Jim and I said, Why dont we get
KYLE GRANDISON, Diversified Transportation.
13 The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet NORTHERN STARS
What we found as we continued to expand into
communities is if you show kids opportunities,
there is no doubt they will engage.
Janet Riopel, former CEO of CAREERS
Careers_2012_p10-17.indd 13 9/28/12 3:16:00 PM
2003 2004 2005
Renewed the CAREERS Health Services Initiative
Aboriginal Youth Initiative received strong
new support and three-year renewal
Signed a Memorandum of Agreement with
Chinook Regional Career Transitions for youth to
undertake joint program initiatives
New industry partnerships include: Finning Canada,
Edmonton Motor Dealers Association, Shell Scotford,
City of Edmonton and West Edmonton Mall
Partnered with the construction industry
and integrated and marketed the Trade Up
CD-ROM in classroom presentations
Joined with industry partners to introduce an oil and
gas Production Field Operator model for Aboriginal
high school youth
some people together? The goal was to gure out how to take it
across the province, Newell says.
By 1997, 13 communities were engaged and CAREERS
incorporated.
It was very di cult at the time and you shouldnt take the
idea we were brilliant visionaries on our own, says Newell. Many
people gave countless hours to the cause.
Carter became a CAREERS board member when he retired
from Syncrude in 2007. He recalls the starting point of the
Co-op Apprenticeship. At the time there werent a whole lot
of opportunities in Fort McMurray. We were trying to get the
workforce right-sized.
The idea behind the program was simple: give kids an
opportunity to try a trade at local companies, with no guarantee
of a job oer at the end of the placement.
Turns out that at the end of apprenticeships, the kids got
job oers, says Carter. More than 900 young people have gone
through that program since those early successes in the 1990s.
Carter believes that, in 2012, CAREERS is still a part of the
workforce equation in a world moving at an ever-faster pace.
For one thing, it is getting a lot more complicated for young
people to choose a career. CAREERS does a good job of identify-
ing future job opportunities.
David Morhart, Albertas Deputy Minister for the Ministry
of Enterprise and Advanced Education, brings his institutional perspective of the program to his post as a Director on the
CAREERS board. CAREERS shifts the traditional order of the
steps a young person can take from high school to post-second-
ary. Its working, according to Morhart. CAREERS is important
because it helps young Albertans build the necessary skills
for todays working environment. It provides students with a
pathway to career success by linking workplace opportunities
with classroom learning.
The pool of talent generated through CAREERS benets
industry specically and Albertas workforce generally. The
results achieved by CAREERS are part of life in the province.
The eorts made by CAREERS to promote trades and
technology occupations as rst-rate career options and to raise
awareness of the RAP will help the province respond better to
skilled labour shortages, Morhart says.
In many senses CAREERS is a stay-in-school program.
We are creating that relevance in education. I am
never anti-university. A skilled tradesperson today
has the training equal to two years of university.
Improving our educational outcomes is the best source
for a skilled workforce and a great way to upgrade the
standard of living and quality of life for people. The answer isnt that everybody
go to university, the answer is to nd out what people are passionate about.
Eric Newell, Founder and Chair of CAREERS: the Next Generation
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www.nextgen.org CAREERS: THE NEXT GENERATION 14
JESSICA POIRIER, Shell Canadas Scotford Refinery.
Careers_2012_p10-17.indd 14 9/28/12 3:13:56 PM
2006 2007 2008
Health Services Initiative saw career placements
oered to 422 internship students from emergency
medicine to diagnostic imaging
98 Aboriginal youth participated as summer interns
in the RAP, Health Services and Field Operator programs
CAREERS joined forces with Central Alberta Career
Prep to enhance career opportunities in the
Red Deer area
CAREERS commenced developmental work
to introduce a high school Power Engineering
Program Model
We had an amazing track record, recalls Riopel. We were able to grow and expand because
of that track record and became a much larger entity.
Many of the dominant themes of todays Alberta workforce were apparent in 2001. Riopel
remembers the time as pivotal. Industry and education leaders were engaging with the con-
cept of labour shortages, and extensive training for the trades was becoming more formalized.
CAREERS responded to that reality.
We had a strong, engaged, powerful board, Riopel says. We had a lot of support and
encouragement to grow the organization.
Riopel built a business case for the CAREERS model and set out to the boardrooms and
o ces of Alberta to explain the benets CAREERS brought to the table. Part of the task was to
secure revenue streams to match the new funding models and gain support from industry and
government.
It was not just about money, Riopel says. It was about allowing the opportunity for the
apprenticeship. We gave companies young people who were motivated to come in and look at an
opportunity and, if they stayed, they helped the culture of an organization. And nothing beats
Consolidate Your Gains
If CAREERS is having a lasting province-wide impact, its
because it was built on solid foundations. Janet Riopel was CEO
of CAREERS from 2001 to 2006. She started at a time when
CAREERS was in transition from a sponsored organization to a
much larger organization with steady streams of funding from
multiple sources.
In 1997, when CAREERS became a foundation, Newell priced
a seat on the board at $100,000. The plan was to have capital
from major stakeholders and industry players while working
with smaller companies to provide apprenticeship placements.
The funding model was di cult to maintain and early on, the
group considered alternative models. Despite the funding
growing pains, Riopel was able to rely on the success of the
programming to speak for itself.
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15 The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet NORTHERN STARS
BRAYDEN DEMAN, Dynamic Industrial Solutions.
Careers_2012_p10-17.indd 15 10/1/12 2:46:15 PM
Canadian Natural
Resources Limited
is proud to support
the 2012 Oilsands
Celebration Banquet.
Wed like to congratulate
CAREERS: The Next Generation
for its valuable work
and send our best wishes for
a very happy 15th anniversary!
www.cnrl.com
CNRL_Careers_OSB2012 - 1/2H_Layout 1 12-07-30 2:21 PM Page 1
CAREERS joined Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to
connect with students, partners and communities
Supported by industry and education, CAREERS
introduced two new high school programs:
Health Care Aide Program and 4th Class Power
Engineer Model
The CAREERS Aboriginal Team addressed 3,173
Aboriginal youth in school career workshops and
an additional 4,548 in career fairs
CAREERS expanded into Grande Prairie.
The Regional Municipality of Wood Bualo
Advisory Committee is formed
learning centres across the province and its apprentices can start on their career while theyre
still in high school. All nish the formal part of their trades training in a post-secondary
environment.
Get Involved
Doug Golosky is an entrepreneur and businessman in Fort McMurray who owns the Golosky
Group of Companies. Golosky has been a Board Director of CAREERS since its early days. As
someone who has always taken an interest in training young people, Golosky says the mission
of CAREERS is vital. The need to train young people never stops, he says.
Golosky has volunteered on the board of CAREERS for so long, he can see the trajectory
of the organization as it aligns with the needs of employers and communities. Health care,
2009 2010 2011
youthful enthusiasm. Bringing in students who soaked up the
workplace culture and replicated good work habits was magic
for employers, says Riopel.
The next step for the growth of CAREERS was to get students,
parents, teachers and employers out in front of the public so they
could tell their story in their communities. To listen to people
who are involved in CAREERS tell their stories is often like
listening to the very best motivational speakers. CAREERS oers
benets to people beyond numbers, lifetime decisions are given
a head start.
CAREERS has working relationships with post-secondary
Careers_2012_p10-17.indd 16 9/28/12 3:14:24 PM
Visit us at: cleanharbors.com/locations/Canada.html
The Future Starts Here
E N V I R O N M E N T A L , E N E R G Y & I N D U S T R I A L
Clean Harbors is proud to sponsor the
Oilsands Banquet 2012
and this years honoree:
CAREERS: the Next Generation
15th Anniversary
Thanks to organizations such as CAREERS: the Next
Generation, we all can work together to develop more
workforce options for local youth in our oilsands
community. And create a better, brighter future.
CleanHarbors_Careers_OSB2012 - 1/3SQ_Layout 1 12-07-31 11:52 AM Page 1
WAIWARD STEEL_Careers_OSB2012 - 1-3SQ_Layout 1 12-08-28 8:43 PM Page 1
The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet
industry, engaging every community in the province
each is an area where Golosky sees progress. Every
area is important to us. We keep plugging along, trying
to get to all the schools, get industry more involved, get
government interested. Were very fortunate to have
people who are dead serious about what theyre doing,
but it takes time to implement.
It has been fve years since John Evans began
commuting to Fort McMurray from Halifax. By 2009, he
and his family became year-round residents of Alberta.
Evans, who strives to be a part of his community,
found CAREERS. Evans is President of UBS Canada, a
structural steel and access platform company. He got his
start in scafolding. He is also the Chair of the Regional
Municipality of Wood Bufalo CAREERS Advisory Group.
As I began to understand what CAREERS did, it was
easy to start volunteering more time, says Evans.
The great strength of CAREERS is its ability to
speed-up the journey for young people. Companies
beneft from passionate employees and youth who
will enter the workforce quickly with the skills and
enthusiasm.
Tradespeople who become experts and take on new
skills they take on an entirely new role in the company
and community, says Evans.
The Three Wins
The potential numbers Newell envisions for CAREERS
are ambitious. In the context of the programs past suc-
cesses, they are likely to come true. CAREERS currently
reaches about 70,000 young people per year through
events, career fairs, in-school workshops and online
initiatives. The organization has a staf of 35 and strong
top-tier volunteer support. The vision longer term is
to reach 100 per cent of youth, says Newell. We have
1,000 employers, why not 10,000? We would like to see
the number of employers triple in the coming years.
The group is seeking and developing partnerships
with Aboriginal communities and leaders. Aboriginal
people in Alberta are an untapped part of the workforce
with tremendous potential for success.
In the interim, CAREERS focuses on three wins, says
Newell. We want a win for the student, the business
community, and the community at large.
CAREERS hosts several events each year to celebrate
its partners, donors and students. While the return
on investment for companies is outstanding and the
benefcial impact on communities is huge, the best
refection of the three wins is seen in the faces of
students. When a CAREERS student stands up to tell his
or her story of completing an apprenticeship and going
on to become a valued member of their chosen company
and community, everybody wins.
Careers_2012_p10-17.indd 17 9/28/12 3:14:27 PM
www.nextgen.org CAREERS: THE NEXT GENERATION 18
THE NEW SCHOOL: Lynda Cachia (L), Off-Campus Co-ordinator at
Father Patrick Mercredi Community High School in Fort McMurray,
has witnessed generations of CAREERS students. Former CAREERS
RAP intern Brian Rankin (far right) now owns Valiant Mechanical
Group and is an active employer participant in the RAP. Dylan Nash
(R) is a current RAP apprentice at Valiant.
CAREERS: the Next Generation
Careers_2012_p18-21.indd 18 9/28/12 3:08:19 PM
Education Advantage
CAREERS transforms the future for high school students
with programs that challenge and inspire
By Elizabeth Chorney-Booth
Photography by Greg Halinda
he programs oered by CAREERS: the Next
Generation make a huge dierence for post-secondary
students, but the organization often makes its greatest
impact at the high school level. Through camps,
presentations and, perhaps most dramatically, internship and
apprenticeship programs, CAREERS has helped steer countless
high school students towards satisfying and lucrative careers.
Fort McMurray educators in both public and separate
school districts have high praise for the CAREERS programs
and many say that catching students at an early age helps
T
young people secure meaningful employment, often as soon
as they graduate. Fort McMurray Catholic Board of Educa-
tion Superintendent Kim Jenkins is a strong proponent of
CAREERS. He rmly believes that many of his students would
be oundering well into their early 20s if CAREERS was not
available to get them on the right track.
CAREERS moves apprenticeships and technology down
one level to high school and changes the mindset that its in the
colleges where that kind of education begins. To be honest, the
colleges are where it kind of nishes, Jenkins says.
19 The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet NORTHERN STARS
EDUCATION
Careers_2012_p18-21.indd 19 9/28/12 3:08:38 PM
CAREERS knows that to increase the skilled workforce
in trades and technologies in this province, weve got to turn
kids onto them in high school. We cant wait until university or
college because its too big of a delay.
The CAREERS program works particularly well for high
school students in two ways. First o, the organization can
open students eyes to the kinds of jobs that are available in the
province. CAREERS presentations counter the common belief
among some students that their options are limited to either
traditional professions that require a university degree or lower-
paying unskilled labour jobs. In CAREERS, they can learn about
a wide breadth of health service, engineering technology, and
trades-based vocations. These students may try out dierent
internships to get a feel for what they might like to study once
they graduate and move onto a post-secondary education.
We all think when were grown up were going to be a nurse,
doctor, lawyer or teacher, Jenkins says. But theres a whole
eld of trades and technology opportunities for smart kids who
dont necessarily want to take the doctor route.
Other groups of students who benet from the CAREERS
programs, include those who enrol in a Registered Apprentice-
ship Program (RAP) in high school. They work toward certica-
tion in their chosen technical
career path like 4th Class Power
Engineering, sometimes earning
their tickets right after high school
graduation. These programs
require tremendous focus and
dedication from students, and
that shift in mindset can spark a
students motivation in ways that
traditional classroom instruction
might not.
Dennis Parsons, Superin-
tendent of Fort McMurrays
Public School District, says that the RAP placements can
give students the kind of hands-on training that appeals to
their individual learning styles and allows them to begin to
envision their future success.
Experience shows that some students need that practical
attachment, they need to be able to see that connection, that
purpose of where their studies are leading them. For the
type of student who needs that immediacy and that contact,
the program certainly focuses them, gives them a goal, and
allows them to get the practical experience early. It helps to
chart a pathway.
Lynda Cachia, O-Campus Co-ordinator at Father Patrick
Mercredi High School in Fort McMurray, agrees. She works
directly with the RAP students and has seen many of them
transform their work ethic and attitude towards education
over the duration of their work placements.
The RAP program is probably the most drastic in terms of
its impact on the students just because it requires such a great
deal of time, Cachia says. Generally its really fun to see
a Grade 11 student go out into the eld and work in an adult
world for six months and then when they come back its like
theyve grown up by two years because of the exposure and
the opportunity. They seem so much older and they are so
much more focused on school.
A good apprenticeship experience is contingent on being
placed in a company lled with experienced and professional
employees who are willing to serve as mentors to teenage
apprentices. While some businesses may be skeptical about
the prospect of working with students, one of the strengths
of CAREERS has been its ability to partner with some of the
Albertas biggest companies. Companies benet because they
usually get the opportunity to hire the cream of the crop upon
graduation. Students win because they get the opportunity
to work with employers like Suncor, Syncrude, Shell, CNRL,
Enbridge, and hundreds of other companies, both big and
We all think when were grown up were
going to be a nurse, doctor, lawyer, or
teacher,Kim Jenkins says. But theres a whole
eld of trade and technology opportunities for
smart kids who dont necessarily want
to take the doctor route.
www.nextgen.org CAREERS: THE NEXT GENERATION 20
Careers_2012_p18-21.indd 20 9/28/12 3:09:04 PM
Spartan Controls_CAREERS_OSB2012 - 1/3SQ_Layout 1 12-09-25 9:46 AM Page 1
On July 23, 2012, we announced the proposed acquisition of our company by
CNOOC Limited. Our hiring plans have not changed. We continue to recruit talented,
high-performing individuals, and CNOOC intends to retain employees and will
inherit Nexens remuneration and benets packages.
By exploring and developing the most globally signicant oil and gas basins,
Nexen Inc. delivers energy to the world. We also value another kind of energy
the talent, passion and commitment of our employees. And were always
looking to the next generation to help us achieve more. People drive our
success and make Nexen a great place to work.
OUR ENERGY COMES FROM MANY SOURCES.
www.nexeninc.com
Congratulations to CAREERS the Next
Generation, on 15 years of helping set Alberta
youth on the path to success.
ation and benets pac emuner s r en s it Nex inher
and CNOOC int ming individuals, or high-perf
ing plans ha Our hir ed. CNOOC Limit
e announced the pr w 12, , 20 On July 23, ,
es. ag k ation and benets pac
etain emplo o r ends t and CNOOC int
e continue t W ed. hang e not c v ing plans ha
oposed acquisition of our compan e announced the pr
ees and will y etain emplo
ed, uit talent ecr o r e continue t
y y b oposed acquisition of our compan
Nexen_CAREERS_OSB2012 - 1/3SQ_Layout 1 12-09-26 11:18 AM Page 1
small, in a wide array of industries.
CAREERS brings industry to sit at the table and
they get to know the needs of industry, Parsons
says. That gets passed on to our campus co-ordina-
tors who can in turn pass it on to the students. So
you get a three-way partnership between CAREERS:
the Next Generation, the school system, and the
industry.
This three-way partnership has done one
particularly extraordinary thing at Father
Patrick Mercredi Community High School in Fort
McMurray. Through joint eforts between the
Catholic School Board and oil sands corpora-
tions, the district constructed a $4-million
science and technology lab in the school where
students get training in electrical, millwright,
instrumentation, power engineering and other
assorted trades. Superintendent Jenkins stresses
that through its network of connections in the oil
industry, CAREERS was essential in getting the
lab facilities built.
What really matters in the end, however, is the
long-term success of the students, and the stories
are numerous from educators who tell about
students that struggled with classroom learning
only to excel at a trade after receiving hands-on
apprenticeship training or fnding a career that
works for them through other CAREERS programs.
I had a student in my classroom who was going
down the wrong path, Laura MacEachen, an
Of-Campus Co-ordinator with the Public School
District in Fort McMurray, says of a student she
placed in a RAP program. Nicest kid in the world,
but he was defnitely getting in trouble with the
law. Keeping him with adults who work very hard
for their money made him a diferent person. It just
makes them mature. We have these shy boy-next-
door kind of guys who fy under the radar and then
they mature faster because theyre working with
adults they can model after.
Cachia has seen similar results with many of her
students and feels particular pride when things
come full circle and alumni students step forward to
mentor versions of their former selves.
I have a graduated RAP student from 2004 who
is now a journeyman who owns a business in town,
Cachia says. He is now employing one of my newest
RAP students. So we have students who have created
their own opportunities, created their own career,
and are coming back full circle and supporting the
program again because of what they got out of it.
Most high schools use various tactics to keep kids
from falling through the cracks, and the programs
ofered by CAREERS: the Next Generation are an
important part of that strategy.
The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet
Careers_2012_p18-21.indd 21 9/28/12 3:09:07 PM
2012 Halliburton. All rights reserved.
Solving challenges.
. Solving challenges
2012 Halliburton. All rights reserved.
HALLIBURTON_CAREERS_OSB2012 - FP_Layout 1 12-08-29 3:04 PM Page 1
Careers_2012_p22-23.indd 22 9/28/12 3:04:43 PM
2012 Halliburton. All rights reserved.
Solving challenges.
. Solving challenges
2012 Halliburton. All rights reserved.
HALLIBURTON_CAREERS_OSB2012 - FP_Layout 1 12-08-29 3:04 PM Page 1
AREERS: the Next Generation works with industry
and education creating opportunities for youth to experi-
ence a trade and further their education in a structured
environment. The CAREERS Registered Apprenticeship
Program (RAP) is a joint initiative of the Alberta Apprenticeship
and Industry Training and Alberta Education. It allows students
to begin apprenticeship training in a trade while they are still
in high school. CAREERS matches student apprentices with
appropriate trades opportunities. RAP students earn a fair wage,
high school credit and hours toward their rst-year apprentice-
ship. In 2011, 1,095 CAREERS student interns participated.
The Co-op Apprenticeship training program was introduced
in Fort McMurray and Medicine Hat as a solution to area skills
shortages and works with young people who have graduated from
high school. In 2011, 53 new student interns participated in the
program that aords them the opportunity to gain up to four years
of apprenticeship training with local employers.
Within the programming, extraordinary relationships between
generations of skilled tradespeople ourish as students enter the
world of trades and journeymen devote time and eort to their
apprentices. Albertas companies are building the workforce of
tomorrow, one intern at a time.
C
Climbing Higher
Atco Electric
Instrumental Inspiration
Syncrude
Jump-start Tomorrow
Diversied Transportation
Team Eort
Shell Canada
Forging the Future
Dynamic Industrial Solutions
Theory into Practice
Cenovus
Developing Talent
Suncor
24 32 37 46
49 53 57
Leading the Next Generation
The relationship between journeyman and apprentice
is where the foundations of the future are built
Mentoring Success
23 The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet NORTHERN STARS
Careers_2012_p22-23.indd 23 9/28/12 3:04:51 PM
ESTABLISHED PARTNERS: Ed Zaichowsky (L) and Jonnas Battig
(R) have been working together since Jonnas was a kid; the years
have seen a lasting work relationship develop.
Climbing Higher
hen Jonnas Battig started his Registered
Apprenticeship Program (RAP), he was a Grade 10
student who knew he wasnt interested in pursuing
a post-secondary degree or working for low pay in
an unskilled labour job. Even as a young teenager, Battig had the
foresight to know that if he worked hard enough he could pick up
a good trade and win a job with a large company by the time he
nished high school. CAREERS: the Next Generation placed Battig
as a power lineman apprentice at Atco Electric in 1997 and Battig is
still happily employed as a lineman by Atco some 15 years later.
W
When Battig began apprenticing with Atco, the company had
gone through a years-long period during which it had not hired
many new linemen. This meant that young Battig was placed on
a crew of linemen who were substantially older than him. Battig
remembers the next youngest member of the crew being about 35
years old. Even with that age gap, the crew leader Ed Zaichkowsky
took the teen under his wing and patiently taught him the ins and
outs of the trade.
As long as I was trying, they were good, Battig says of his
crewmates. I didnt give them any attitude. So as long as they
By Elizabeth Chorney-Booth
- Devon employee
eer in the ar our c ance y dv A
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uns Deep ommitment R C
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Devon Canada_CAREERS_OSB2012 - 1/4V_Layout 1 12-09-26 9:02 AM Page 1
To learn more about Kearl, including job and business opportunities,
please visit www.imperialoil.ca/kearl
Proudly supporting Careers:
The Next Generation
Imperial Oil_CAREERS_OSB2012 - 1/4V_Layout 1 12-09-25 9:53 AM Page 1
WorleyParsons_CAREERS_OSB2012 - 1/4V_Layout 1 12-09-25 10:16 AM Page PCL_CAREERS_OSB2012 - 1/4V_Layout 1 12-09-26 4:06 PM Page 1
Careers_2012_p40-45.indd 43 9/28/12 2:33:32 PM
Practical NursiNg
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) provide direct care to patients in a variety of health-care settings.
theraPeutic recreatioN
Therapeutic recreation addresses the physical, mental and
spiritual dimensions of the healing equation.
simulatioN lab
In the simulation lab, students are given an
introductory hands-on lesson in health care.
www.nextgen.org careers: the next generation 44
Careers_2012_p40-45.indd 44 9/28/12 2:34:47 PM
Construction Labour Relations_CAREERS_OSB2012 - 1/3SQ_Layout 1 12-08-26 2:50 PM Page 1
Our congratulations to CAREERS: The Next Generation!
Thank you for bringing industry awareness to students in meaningful ways
and for promoting our industry as a great place to pursue careers.
Gibson Energy is an innovative, solutions-based
service provider that celebrates almost 60 years
of operations in the oil and gas industry.
Gibson Energy_CAREERS_OSB2012 - 1/3SQ_Layout 1 12-09-27 10:51 AM Page 1
The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet
Careers_2012_p40-45.indd 45 9/28/12 2:35:02 PM
READY TO WORK: Kyle Grandison is in the CAREERS RAP as
a heavy duty technician apprentice and enjoying the fast start
on his career.
Jump-start Tomorrow
s an enthusiastic teenager interested in pursuing a
career in mechanics, Kyle Grandison couldnt sign up
for the CAREERS Registered Apprenticeship Program
(RAP) quickly enough. Before he even started high
school the Fort McMurray resident knew that the RAP would
allow him to get his feet wet in a trade that he wanted to one day
make into a full-time job.
I thought it would be a good way to get a jump-start into the
trades, Grandison says, reecting on his eagerness even before
he was old enough to register for the program. Once I nally got
A
into a grade when I could start doing the program, I found out a
little bit more about it and I knew that it was for me.
After he was eligible to o cially sign up for the RAP, Grandison
was matched with mentor Curtis Richard at Diversied Transpor-
tation. The company, based in Fort McMurray, has more than 215
technicians working on the shop oor. Heavy duty technicians at
Diversied maintain and replace parts for more than 400 coaches
and long-haul buses that operate throughout Canada.
With so much action happening on the shop oor, and
despite his excitement to be getting an opportunity to learn
By Matt Hirji
Photography by Je Noon
Dynamic Industrial Solutions was founded by a CAREERS
RAP student and brings in new interns every year
Mentoring Success
49 The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet NORTHERN STARS
Careers_2012_p48-51.indd 49 9/28/12 2:21:40 PM
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YR.
Apprentice), TyIer - (RAP Student), Chris - (Former RAP Student, now Maintenance Manager), KatIin - (RAP Student)
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Opening dOOrs: when Brayden Deman heard about CAREERS,
he knew it was the opportunity he had been looking for.
The shop foor was chock full of experienced welding journey-
men who were ready and willing to share their knowledge and
expertise about their profession.
When I frst started, I just started learning stuf from the
more veteran guys. They sort of took me under their wing,
says Deman, who was hired on at Dynamic after completing his
apprenticeship. Ive learned lots of stuf over the past few years
and now I pretty much do everything myself. I dont need help
from other people.
Confdence in tow, Deman has gained a complete breadth of
important skills and developed a solid foundation for a successful
career as a professional welder. And hes the frst person to
explain that the RAP was integral to setting him up and putting
him on the right path.
Things are really working out for me. Everything just fell into
place, Deman says. The program has got me to where I am now.
Before, I had no clue what I was doing or what job I would have in
the future. Now, Im making money and I love my job.
As a former CAREERS apprentice, Donovan Bellamy
understands the importance of CAREERS for the young people
who are given the opportunity to get a head start on a career in
the trades.
It set my career path. With doing CAREERS I moved through
my journeyman and into supervisor roles in facilities fairly
quickly, Bellamy says. It also gave me the opportunity to start
up my own company and grow a business. I had a jump to get
things going faster in my life. CAREERS put me down the road to
where I am today with owning my own business.
As an owner of Dynamic Industrial Solutions, a welding and
heavy duty mechanical company in Medicine Hat, Bellamy is
the frst to admit that the RAP has even more benefts for the
companies involved.
With the lack of tradespeople in Alberta right now, we are
having a tough time hiring journeymen people. We need to bring
these young people in, we need to push them through CAREERS to
develop their skills, and show them that there is good work in the
trades. There are very good career opportunities for young people
in the trades and they can grow with the company. Its important
that we have the tradespeople available to us when we need them.
According to Bellamy, the partnership that his company and CAREERS has forged is benef-
cial for everybody involved. CAREERS has the ability to send students to a trusted company. It
also provides an opportunity for Dynamic to bring in talented, enthusiastic students who have
expressed interest in the trades. These students can become long-term employees and a pivotal
part of the companys workforce in the future.
Were actively involved in CAREERS. At any given time we have anywhere from three to six
students. Its nice to see these guys stick with us. We train them the way we need to train them for
the industry. We have had some really good, successful kids come through the company who are
a part of the CAREERS program, Bellamy says.
Along with all the success stories, partnering with the CAREERS program also gives Bellamy
the opportunity to give back to a program that allowed him the opportunity to achieve so many
of his goals in life.
CAREERS is something that Ive seen myself do and its one of the reasons why I am
successful today. Hopefully, these young kids that I mentor will go through the program and be
successful as well, Bellamy says.
I knew that I had a talent for it, but I didnt know
how to get started,Brayden Deman says. Thats
when my teacher told me about RAP. At a young
age like that it was good to know that there are
programs out there to help guide you in the right
direction and get you on the right path towards
building a career for yourself.
Mentoring Success
www.nextgen.org CAREERS: the next generation 50
Careers_2012_p48-51.indd 50 9/28/12 2:21:53 PM
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BIRDS EYE VIEW: students spending time in camp at Christina
Lake this summer had an opportunity to see Cenovus operation in
a way few people ever will.
TRADES
Theory into Practice
efore Dexter Tangonan started his four-week
CAREERS stint at the Cenovus steam-assisted gravity
drainage (SAGD) site in Christina Lake, Alberta, the
17-year-old felt like he had a fairly good grasp of what it
meant to be a power engineer.
Tangonan had, after all, been taking courses in high school
to learn the technical theory and science related to the eld.
He felt he knew the theory, but it wasnt until he arrived at the
Cenovus site that Tangonan gained a true understanding of the
practical considerations that have to be taken into account as a
professional power engineer.
B
One of the most important things that I learned about is all
the safety precautions that you take when you are working on a
site, Tangonan says. I hadnt really thought about the safety
aspects of power engineering until then. Thats one of the most
important things that they teach you at Cenovus; you have to do
things safely or you shouldnt do it at all. So I learned how to be
responsible.
Tangonan had quite a lot more to learn about power engineer-
ing. He needed the opportunity to bridge the gap between his
textbook knowledge and how a site, like the one in Christina
Lake, operates in practice.
By Matt Hirji
A four-week stint in camp at Christina Lake
with Cenovus proves life-changing
Mentoring Success
53 The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet NORTHERN STARS
Careers_2012_p52-55.indd 53 9/28/12 2:20:15 PM
clearwater-energy.ca .ca -energy clearwater r-
I put them on the same shift that I was on so
that they could experience what shift work was
like. They had to experience living in camp and
we tried to make the experience as realistic as
possible, so that they could get a really good
sense of what its like to be a power engineer
in the feld,James Fehr says.
HigH point: James Fehr knows that by giving students on-site
training opportunities, students will have a head start on their
career, creating hiring opportunities for Cenovus.
In school, when we study power engineering its all very
theoretical and its all books. Since the course is online, if you
dont understand a concept there is very little chance to learn
about it in another way. By having that hands-on experience at a
site, it actually helps you learn about what the equipment does. I
found when I was at the site I was making connections to what I
had read in a textbook.
With hands-on experience and real-world knowledge of
power engineering from Cenovus under his belt, Tangonan
feels confdent that hell be able follow his fathers footsteps and
become a professional in the feld. He is also resolved to one day
become a mentor to the next generation of power engineers that
will come after him.
Ever since I was a kid I was always curious about what my
dad does and hes always been my role model. Now Ill be able to
be a power engineer just like he is. Id like to pass on my knowledge
about power engineering to help younger people learn about it.
That way Ill be able to help my community, says Tangonan.
During a feld trip of the Cenovus SAGD site in Christina
Lake this summer, James Fehr, a long-time Cenovus employee
and a CAREERS mentor, led a group of apprentices to the top of
a boiler stack so that they could get an aerial view of the site that
produces more than 160,000 barrels of oil per day.
The trek to the top of the boiler stack was more than just a rare
chance at a birds-eye view of one of the most technologically
sophisticated industrial endeavours in northern Alberta. It was
an opportunity for a group of young, aspiring power engineers
to gain a unique perspective on how the plant comes together to
function as a cohesive whole.
It gave them a window into the practical aspects of power-
engineering, Fehr says of the high-altitude excursion. What I
heard them say was that they did lots of studies in class, but they
needed to see the equipment and meet with the operators to truly
understand the trade.
During their four weeks at Cenovus, Fehr gave the CAREERS
apprentices more than just an exclusive tour of the site. The
apprentices were given an up close and personal perspective on
the industry while learning about the intricacies of a complex
power engineering project. The students were given the chance
to match their classroom knowledge with on-site experiences.
I put them on the same shift that I was on so that they could experience what shift work was
like. They had to experience living in camp and we tried to make the experience as realistic as
possible, so that they could get a really good sense of what its like to be a power engineer in the
feld, Fehr says.
Its these experiences learning and working in the feld that Fehr hopes will provide students
with the foundation for a successful career in power engineering. He may even see some of the
apprentices back at Christina Lakes as his co-workers.
Cenovus is really looking for long-term, dedicated employees that are well-trained from the
ground up. The industry is expanding so rapidly and we feel that students can get a head start on
a career if they start learning about the trade early. The way things are going, we are hiring all the
time. Its good to have keen students gain a lot of training; that will take them a long way. And the
students were excited at the prospect of working here in the future, Fehr says.
true experience: the team at Christina Lake worked with the
student interns to make the camp experience as realistic as possible.
Mentoring Success
www.nextgen.org CAreerS: the next generation 54
Careers_2012_p52-55.indd 54 10/1/12 2:51:18 PM
clearwater-energy.ca .ca -energy clearwater r-
Careers_2012_p52-55.indd 55 9/28/12 2:20:23 PM
At Enbridge we understand that a better tomorrow starts today. By creating opportunity for youth were helping
to strengthen our communities and ensure prosperity for generations to come. Thats why over the past 10 years
Enbridge has pledged nearly $100,000 to the CAREERS program to help create an educated, experienced and
capable workforce. To that end, weve committed funding for an apprenticeship program that allows Canadian
youth the chance to gain invaluable workplace experience. In fact this year, two students from Father Patrick
Mercredi High School in Fort McMurray were selected for the program.
At Enbridge, were delivering more than energy. Were delivering on our promise to help create a world of
possibility for future generations.
FIND OUT MORE
Enbridge.com
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GEARED UP: Shea Goodwin goes to work with a smile. He is
following in his fathers oilfield footsteps and is committed to his
trade for the long term.
TRADES
Developing Talent
Mentoring Success
igning up for the CAREERS apprenticeship program
was a dening moment in Shea Goodwins life. Goodwin
is an electrical apprentice at Suncor Energy in Fort
McMurray.
Its the best decision Ive ever made, says Goodwin, a
22-year-old lifelong resident of Fort McMurray. Now Ive got
my career going and I owe a lot of it to joining the CAREERS
program. They put you in the right direction.
S
When Goodwin was in high school, he was eager to start down
the path towards a good career in the town that he grew up in.
More importantly, Goodwin wanted to follow in the footsteps
of his father, who has been working in the oil industry in Fort
McMurray for more than 20 years.
As is the case with any number of young adults looking to
start a career in the trades, he was struggling to nd ways to get
hands-on experience in the eld. He needed to learn more about
By Matt Hirji
All
s
Careers_2012_p60-63.indd 60 9/28/12 1:24:09 PM
FUTURE
he demand for skilled tradespeople and health-
care workers in Alberta is growing exponentially but
so is participation in these elds, thanks to CAREERS:
the Next Generation. For 15 years CAREERS has grown
through partnerships with employers, schools and communities.
Parents and students have engaged with a program that oers a
path to a bright future and solid career. The next 15 years bring
unique challenges as a generation of baby boomers transitions
into retirement. CAREERS provides a direct link to the future for
young Albertans searching for their lifes work. The workforce of
tomorrow is being introduced to their career today.
INDUSTRY
As the CEO of transportation company Pacic Western,
Michael Colborne is in the business of moving people. Every
T
day, many thousands of people board his buses like the
Red Arrow Express or Diversied Transportation eets to
reach destinations near and far. But while its been easy for his
company to draw in customers, its been harder to get skilled
tradespeople on board.
About 15 years ago, Colborne was struck by the di culty in
attracting these employees and the dearth of interested youth
in particular. It seemed what happened in the world (was)
that (becoming) electricians, mechanics, plumbers, werent
being valued as good career (choices), he says. Parents were
pushing their kids to be lawyers, IT people, things like that.
This was bad news for a company that depended on skilled
mechanics and technicians to keep their bus eets safe and
reliable. We couldnt grow our business if we didnt have the
people capable of helping us grow, he says.
Look to the Future
By Caitlin Crawshaw
The demand for skilled tradespeople is set to boom.
CAREERS will help meet that need
CAREERS: the Next Generation
61 The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet NORTHERN STARS
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So when he found out about a new program designed to
expose youth to the vast potential of non-professional career
paths, he jumped at the chance to get involved. For almost 15
years , Pacic Western has been a proud industry partner of
CAREERS: the Next Generation, accepting teens into sum-
mer placements at his company. Giving young people a chance
to get their hands dirty, under the supervision of experienced
mechanics and technicians, helps them truly understand
what the trades are all about. For many people, its a catalyst
for trades training after high school. After many years of
involvement, Colbornes delighted to see many CAREERS
students returning to Pacic Western as employees.
The CAREERS program hasnt just helped his company, it
has made a dierence across the province, says Colborne: If
you look at what CAREERS has done, theyve increased the
interest level in the trades. The statistics are amazing in the
growth of people entering the trades and its CAREERS thats
solely done it.
The Occupational Demand and Supply Outlook published
by the Government of Alberta, 2011, projects a shortage of
almost 1,400 heavy duty mechanics by 2021. It is a sliver of the
projected labour shortage employers who need tradespeople
are facing.
Of course, with the Alberta economy poised for a major
upswing or maybe even a boom, depending on who you
ask the need for tradespeople, technicians and health-care
professionals will only continue to increase. Net migration
will not be su cient to meet projected demand. By 2012, the
labour market is projected to grow by 607,000 workers, an
average annual rate of 2.4 per cent. A net increase of 492,000
workers is expected to join the labour force, as occupational
supply increases at an annual rate of 1.9 per cent. In the
next 15 years, Colborne knows CAREERS will only be
more relevant, not less.
Colborne is optimistic that CAREERS will continue to help
his company and many others across the province grow.
Once young people get hands-on experience, and learn about
the earning potential and quality of life trades careers can
oer, they realize theres nothing wrong with getting their
hands dirty.
As a CEO, at the end of the day, I dont see the results of
what I do, says Colborne. Mechanics and other tradespeople, on the other hand, see
visible, concrete results to their eorts, at the end of every workday. These are very
fullling careers.
EDUCATION
Jerry Farwell, a recently retired high school teacher who supervised Edmonton Catholic
Schools Career and Technology Studies program, was involved with the CAREERS
program from its inception. They were a real connector between the business world
and the schools, he says. As educators, we didnt have a lot of connections in the
business world.
He has seen the program expand attitudes towards the trades, but thinks profes-
sional careers are still seen as better career paths. The majority of people dont know
whats involved with the trades and they think everyone should be going to university,
he says. Few parents will encourage their kids to go into the trades. The same is true
for the other career paths the program supports, like non-professional careers in health
care and industrial technology.
CAREERS has made a big dierence in how youth approach their career planning, and
far more kids are casting their nets more broadly. When the next boom comes, Farwell
knows the province will be in a much better situation to handle the demand for skilled
tradespeople than it was last time around. Nonetheless, We need to do a lot of work,
he says. You hear about everyone going overseas to ll these positions, but lets start
looking at home and make the parents and students aware.
THE ABORIGINAL ADVANTAGE
There is, after all, plenty of talent to be found here at home. One of the largest talent
pools is the provinces Aboriginal community. We have a fast-growing, young popula-
tion that can help us meet market needs, says Bill Werry, Deputy Minister of Aboriginal
Relations and CAREERS Board Director.
Not only is it more cost-eective to source talent from within the province, but
Aboriginal youth could be more open to careers in the trades than non-Aboriginal
youth. Werry explains that across Canada, about 22 per cent of Aboriginal people have
trades training, versus only 11 per cent of the non-Aboriginal population.
CAREERS is working to foster even more interest and boost the number of First
Nations people involved in trades careers. The 2011 CAREERS Aboriginal Youth
Initiative reached out to 203 schools in 152 communities, and placed 65 student interns
at 51 employers across Alberta.
Industry is increasingly supportive of initiatives targeting First Nations youth, says
Werry. But theres another tier of companies to get on board. Its also important for
CAREERS to build trust with elders and leaders in the community, in order to get more
Aboriginal youth on board. We need to be prepared to work in the broader context of
family it has a pretty strong inuence on what young people choose to do, especially in
Aboriginal culture, Werry adds.
But hes condant that the trades and CAREERS have much to oer Aboriginal youth.
Most of all, the program allows young people to stay in their own community, enjoying
the benets of a job and career path, without severing connections to cultural roots and
family. I think thats in the long-term best interests for everyone involved, says Werry.
While the challenges facing Albertas labour market havent disappeared, CAREERS
is providing more and more opportunities for youth to investigate the full constellation
of careers available to them. What began as a small program focused on trades, has
branched into all parts of the province and now supports health-care and industrial
technologies as well. All three areas represent more than 250 dierent career paths,
collectively.
Werry says the goal for the future is transformational. Were trying to change the
dialogue and we are looking at practical ways to get people working.
CAREERS is working to foster even more interest
and boost the numbers of First Nations people
involved in trades careers. The 2011 CAREERS
Aboriginal Youth Initiative reached out to 203
schools in 152 communities, and placed 65
student interns at 51 employers across Alberta.
www.nextgen.org CAREERS: THE NEXT GENERATION 62
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to our Partners
he team at CAREERS: the Next Generation wishes to acknowledge and thank
the many parents, educators, employers, volunteers and investors who make
the work of CAREERS possible. With your generous support, thousands of youth
from across Alberta have been given opportunities to discover their career passion and
create the workforce of tomorrow. It is a Future Worth Working For.
www.nextgen.org CAREERS: THE NEXT GENERATION 64
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to our Partners
Careers_2012_p64-65.indd 65 9/28/12 1:22:33 PM
By The Numbers
Number of participating schools in:
1997 2011
16 511
Number of
participating
communities in:
1997
13
2011
288
Number of
participating
employers
in:
1997
57
2011
1,020
Number of participating interns in:
1997
53
2011
1,514
Number of student workshop participants in:
1997
2,500
2011
32,709
Number of Aboriginal youth
attended workshops in 2011:
In 2011, 51 employers
provided 65 placements
for high school Aboriginal
youth 4,187
The Projected Cumulative Labour Shortage expected in the year 2021:
114
,
278
www.nextgen.org CAREERS: THE NEXT GENERATION 66
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13
288
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Careers_2012_p66-67.indd 67 9/28/12 1:20:22 PM
HAVE YOU
HEARD?
The air quality in Wood Bufalo is
better than in many major cities in
North America.
The air doesnt belong to us
it belongs to the region and its
inhabitants, who depend on our
care of the land. That is why we
are committing $1.6 billion to reduce
SO
2
emissions by 60%. And why we
will continue to invest in technology
that maintains good air quality.
Because being the best means never
forgetting that we can do better.
Learn more. Sign up for our
e-newsletter at syncrude.ca
The Syncrude Project is a joint venture undertaking among Canadian Oil Sands Partnership #1, Imperial Oil Resources, Mocal Energy Limited, Murphy Oil Company Ltd., Nexen Oil Sands Partnership,
Sinopec Oil Sands Partnership, and Suncor Energy Oil and Gas Partnership.
Careers_2012_p68-01.indd 68 9/28/12 3:28:36 PM