5 Cementation Canada's open door philosophy attracts much desired skills.

• Author: Louiseize, Kelly
• Position: 5 Great Places To Work - Company overview

Mining and energy companies across Canada are starting to feel the pinch of finding skilled and technical labour.

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For mine builders like Cementation Canada, attracting and retaining workers means an employer must do more than just provide a solid pay cheque, says its CEO Roy Slack.

"If you don't treat people right, they don't stick around. It's as simple as that."

Slack knows full well that job seekers with much-desired skills can pick and choose wherever and whomever they want to work for.

Offering an attractive package of incentives is a must. But there also must be a comfortable work environment where employees feel their contributions are encouraged, their professional development rewarded and their participation in community supported.

Last November, Slack's company took home last year's North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce's business of the year award. The engineering and contracting firm has landed some high-profile contracts in recent years including expansion projects at the Timmins Kidd Mine and Red Lake as well as the development of Falconbridge's (now Xstrata Nickel)'s flagship Nickel Rim mine in Sudbury.

Though Slack's 750-employee company has grown substantially since he established the firm as Kvaernter Cementation Canada in 1998, he wants to maintain that small company feel by lessening hierarchal barriers through social bonding, restricting office politics and maintaining an open and accessible atmosphere.

Just the layout of their Graham Drive head office is conducive to interaction with the big boss. During renovations, executive offices were shifted towards the front lobby where Slack is visible.

"We did that purposely," says Slack. "When we moved in, we located our offices in the middle of traffic flow. Would it be nicer in a quieter area? Sometimes. But it's important that our staff are comfortable talking to us about any ideas or issues. I think we've got a very down-to-earth style within our group."

Cementation takes pride in offering a good compensation program, bonus packages and profit-sharing for all their field and administrative staff.

When Cementation acquired the southern Ontario-based Aurora Quarrying in 2002, Slack combined the best elements of both companies' benefits program into what he says is a "top notch program" offering 100 per cent prescription and dental coverage.

They also provide an Employee & Family Assistance Program, where at no cost, employees can get professional...