November 20, 2006 - 4:00pm
Upcoming retirements in the pulp and paper industry are creating an opportunity that Malaspina University-College Pulp and Paper Operations program grads are already taking advantage of.
Over the next decade more than half of the 500 employees at Pope and Talbot Ltd. Harmac Pulp Operations will be of retirement age, which means the company will be looking for lots of skilled people to fill their positions.
Malaspina Pulp and Paper Operations program grad Stu McLeod is already taking advantage of the retirement gap. The 20 year-old graduated this past September from the nine-month program, and is working at the mill in the labour pool.
“There’s going to be a high turnaround coming up in the industry due to retirements and I was looking for an apprenticeship opportunity and a good wage,” said McLeod, who’s originally from Powell River.
McLeod decided to take the Malaspina program after his uncle, who works at Catalyst Paper Corporation’s Powell River Division, advised him a certificate would give him the edge he needed to get into a competitive industry.
“At Malaspina I got to spend lots of time on industry sites with many hands-on activities. You can see what you’re learning, which prepares you for work,” said McLeod, the top student in his grad class.
Grant Brebber, manager of human resources at Pope and Talbot Ltd. Harmac Pulp Operations in Nanaimo, agrees.
“The Malaspina Pulp and Paper Operations program is the ideal source for new employees entering our plant, because the people coming out of the program have a sound foundation in the industry,” said Brebber.
So far Harmac has hired five Malaspina grads with plans to hire more.
“The turnaround will happen rapidly and the Malaspina University-College program prepares new employees by giving them a strong educational and technical background in pulp and paper operations,” said Brebber.
The next intake for the Pulp and Paper Operations program is Jan. 8, 2007. For more information go to www.viu.ca.
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