questions about a particular trade. “This
can pass on information from the experi-
enced generation to the new generation,”
Forrest said.
A GROWTH STRATEGY FOR
TOUGH TIMES
Even though recent times have been es-
pecially taxing due to the wildfire, Align
Personnel began in rather violent seas. For
starters, being a new business is usually
riddled with challenges. “That initial getting
in the door and getting in front of people
was a struggle, but finding the right people
in the industry was definitely the way that
I overcame it,” Forrest said.
Secondly, the company emerged at a time
that was already posing difficulties for Al-
berta’s oil and gas sector. Forrest admits
that 2015 was a challenge; starting out
in a rough market made for a slow start,
but it also allowed for a very strong start.
“It definitely set the roadwork for the fu-
ture because starting in a tough economy
definitely gave me a thick skin to weath-
er more tough economies when they do
come,” Forrest said.
Although Align Personnel caters predomi-
nantly to the oil and gas sector, it is in the
midst of diversifying into other industries.
With the price of oil resembling a roller-
coaster ride, the company has adapted by
taking on more commercial work.
“My growth strategy right now is that we
always put our workers first. We expect
career growth. We don’t encourage it, we
expect it. We work our hardest to help
guide people in the right direction. With
the confidence that is instilled in our work-
ers, they are able to go out, work hard and
do a good job. That’s success for them and
my company,” Forrest said. Currently, her
workforce is 80 percent indigenous, due to
building solid relationships within various
First Nations communities.
Additionally, the company has formed part-
nerships with educational institutions to
give new graduates valuable work experi-
ence through trade apprenticeships. “My
next step is to solidify more of those rela-
tionships and work closely with my clients
in those facilities to help develop training
programs that are needed in the industry
because I can see where there are short-
ages of workers,” Forrest said, adding that
this growth strategy will allow for expan-
sion into Saskatchewan and British Colum-
bia.
alignstaffing.ca
“That initial getting in the door and getting in front of people was a struggle, but
finding the right people in the company was definitely the way that I overcame
it.”
SEPTEMBER 2016
H
business elite canada
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