Montreal's Top Employers (2026) Magazine - Magazine - Page 24
MONTRÉAL’S TOP EMPLOYERS (2026)
24
Learning helps employees dress for success at Gildan
T
here are many
reasons why David
Meerson chose
Gildan Activewear
Inc. for his first job
after graduating from university
in 2023. Top of mind was going to
work for an employer that actively
invests in developing its people
into future experts and leaders.
Headquartered in Montréal,
the company is a leading global
manufacturer of basic apparel and
textiles.
Since starting out in a supportfocused role in IT, Meerson has
been able to benefit from Gildan
Academy — the company’s
in-house and online learning
platform that offers training
across topics such as leadership,
resilience and core professional
competencies. He also participated in a global mentoring program,
which he found especially
valuable.
Brooke Ferguson, chief human resources officer (left), and David Meerson, IT business analyst, at Gildan
Activewear.
When employees see
that the company is
investing in their
growth, it builds trust,
engagement and
long-term commitment.
— Brooke Ferguson
Chief Human Resources Officer
“Connecting with more senior
professionals has been extremely
beneficial,” says Meerson, an IT
business analyst. “Learning from
their experiences — both professional and personal — has helped
guide my own development
and avoid common early-career
mistakes. I’ve also been able to
explore different career paths
within the organization which has
helped me better understand what
I want to pursue in the future.”
Learning and development
at Gildan is designed to meet
employees where they are in their
careers, explains Brooke Ferguson,
chief human resources officer.
The company offers a broad range
of opportunities including leadership development programs,
mentoring, role-specific technical
training and global learning
initiatives.
“Mentoring is a key part of
how we support career growth,”
says Ferguson. “What makes this
especially powerful is seeing
how it all comes together in real
time — watching individuals
grow in confidence, capability
and ambition. These relationships
foster continuous learning, build
strong networks across teams
and geographies and reinforce
a culture where development is
both intentional and personal.”
As Meerson’s experience grew,
so did his responsibilities. In
addition to providing ongoing IT
support, he now contributes to
new projects and initiatives that
improve IT business processes and
add value across the organization.
“We strongly believe that development happens with a blended
approach of formal learning along
with hands-on experience,” says
Ferguson. “When employees see
that the company is investing
in their growth, it builds trust,
engagement and long-term
commitment.
“I have seen this first-hand at
Gildan, where the tenure of our
employees reflects the strength
of this approach. Investing in
development opportunities helps
people feel valued, supported
and motivated, which directly
strengthens engagement and
retention. It also encourages employees to build long-term careers
with Gildan rather than seeing
their roles as just a job.”
Giving back to the community
is another important aspect
of a company that matters to
Meerson. He regularly participates
in office-based volunteering
activities and recently took part
