National Capital Region's Top Employers (2026) Magazine - Magazine - Page 32
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NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION’S TOP EMPLOYERS (2026)
Thales empowers employees to learn and grow every day
A
fter 26 years working
for the Canadian
Armed Forces in the
Department of
National Defence,
Enno Kerckhoff was apprehensive
about moving to the private sector.
But a former colleague reached
out to him about a new position
opening up in the Ottawa office of
Thales Canada.
“I found it a welcoming and
collaborative environment,” says
Kerckhoff, portfolio manager. “My
early growing pains were seen as
opportunities to learn. I have regular development meetings with my
manager and an action plan to get
the best out of my performance.”
Thales is a learning
company. Our most
important investment is
in our people.
— Christine Clarkson
Human Resources Director
A global leader with Canadian
headquarters in Kanata, Ont.,
just west of Ottawa, Thales offers
leading capabilities in the defence,
aerospace, cyber and digital sectors — meeting the most complex
needs and requirements of its
customers across all operating
environments.
“Thales is a learning company,”
says Christine Clarkson, human
resources director. “Our most
important investment is in
our people.”
Clarkson says employees receive
skills-based assessments to help
identify skills they need and they
Employees at Thales Canada prepare a meal at Veterans' House to show their appreciation for those who
have served their country.
create individual development
plans together with their manager.
Based on the employee needs,
they can consider courses through
Thales learning academies, mentorship or leadership development
programs — or they may want to
gain a new experience by transitioning to another department or
business unit.
People at Thales are also on
the lookout for common training
needs for employees. Last year,
the local learning committee
in the Ottawa office identified
negotiation skills as a need. Thales
worked with the committee to
bring in an outside expert to offer
a negotiating skills course to three
cohorts of employees.
In addition, a local diversity,
equity and inclusion committee
organizes learning moments
and events throughout the year,
covering a wide range of topics
from ageism and neurodiversity to
menopause in the workplace.
“We want to create a work
environment where people can
fully show up every day and feel
like they belong,” says Clarkson.
Kerckhoff’s learning journey
began when he was assigned a
work buddy during onboarding.
“He walked me through work
processes,” he says. “I’ve also been
accepted for a formal mentorship
arrangement under one of the
Thales vice-presidents.”
Over two and a half years,
Kerckhoff has taken a project
management certification program, and more. He is in a group
working through the Partnership
Accreditation in Indigenous
Relations (PAIR) certification program to help Thales continue to
engage and commit to Indigenous
reconciliation. He’s been to the
Thales global headquarters in
France. And he is a member of
the social committee that held a
winter party bringing together
nearly 500 people from local
