Alberta's Top Employers (2026) Magazine - Magazine - Page 15
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ALBERTA’S TOP EMPLOYERS (2026)
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organization is also broadening its
international recruitment efforts, targeting
accredited schools in Europe and
Australia.
Kryzanowski points to its onboarding,
mentorship and development programs as
a key competitive advantage when
recruiting workers. The company’s new
graduate mentorship program, which has
grown from three to six months, focuses
on integrating new hires into the company
and their community by pairing them with
experienced veterinarians.
“It’s been a big part of helping workers
to really integrate, as well as identify what
they need to focus on ... (to) increase
certain skills,” says Kryzanowski, noting
VCA also provides a continuing education
allowance, access to a unique WOOF
University learning platform and “settling-in services” within their
communities.
Obsidian Energy officials echo
Kryzanowski, noting applications have
increased but they are still challenged to
fill some positions.
“We’ve seen a lot of applications coming
across our desks when we put a job
posting out. Now, finding someone who is
qualified and has the right level of
experience, I don’t know if that’s easier
today than it was six or seven years ago,”
says Cliff Swadling, vice-president of
operations.
The Calgary-based, intermediate-sized
oil and gas producer has taken a buildfrom-within approach, combining student
pathways, safety leadership and a
roll-up-your-sleeves culture — all
contributing factors to its recognition as
one of the province’s Top Employers.
“If you’re a person who is interested in
making your way by the sweat of your own
brow, having an entrepreneurial type of
career within a structured and supported
environment, then Obsidian is the place
for you,” says Swadling.
Angie Fricke, Obsidian’s senior
operations co-ordinator, production
operations, points to initiatives such as its
student program, which emphasizes a
high degree of independence, responsibility and accountability.
Career paths are also structured with
professional hierarchies, allowing younger
staff to progress to become subject matter
experts or future leaders.
“We really are giving them a hands-on
exposure that’s going to help build them
for the career,” she says. “I say this all the
time: I want to ruin them for every other
company.”
Scott Lister with the Royal Alexandra
Hospital Foundation in Edmonton
(another organization recognized on this
year’s Top Employers list) says Alberta’s
population growth has greatly benefited
the organization. The vice-president of
operations and strategic initiatives notes
they have grown quickly, more than
doubling in size from 20 employees five
years ago to about 44 currently.
“A deeper talent pool does bring more
opportunity,” says Lister, pointing to the
organization’s philanthropy roles. “People
who make good fundraisers are people
who can build relationships — who are
good communicators. These people come
from sales and marketing backgrounds or
communications backgrounds. So a
deeper pool can help with that.”
To remain competitive, the foundation
is stepping up its recruitment practices,
moving away from relying on word-ofmouth to more intentional strategies such
as using online platforms and recruiting
services.
It is also putting more resources into
creating what Lister calls a “culture of
belonging.” His role at the foundation is
new, created to bring focus to operations
and champion HR practices that are
necessary for managing the scale-up.
A big component of his role so far has
been to “lean into the mission” by creating
space for employee involvement and
shared ownership.
“Having a place to work where you are
part of the decisions, you are part of
making a change in your community, is
really important to people,” says Lister.
“It’s going to help us attract the best talent
to make the most effective impact and
change in our community.”
This story was created by Content Works,
Postmedia’s commercial content division, on
behalf of Alberta’s Top Employers.
q At Edmonton’s Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation, the province’s population growth has helped the organization
double in size over the past five years.
RAHF
ALBERTA GROWTH
