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The career path to a better world at Labatt
abatt Breweries of Canada has been a leader in employee relations since it was founded, 20 years before Canada became a country.
Today Labatt people across Canada are united in pursuit of a big and inclusive dream that reflects their dedication and commitment, taking it beyond the brewery and office to the wider community. The foundation for the dream is a set of principles that means everyone at Labatt can be confident their colleagues are working toward the same goals. One of the principles states: “We must select people who, with the right development, challenges and encouragement, can be better than ourselves.” That means that in addition to brewing the best beer for almost 170 years, Labatt is proud to offer a wide range of education, training and development opportunities to its employees.
“We provide our people with the opportunity to develop at their own pace”
and online courses. Tuition subsidies are available for job-related courses and professional accreditation. A Labatt team member who has benefitted is environment and safety manager Shane Williston, who joined the company in 2008. Over the years, he has taken management courses in communication, presentation and Six Sigma, which have allowed him to expand the scope of his role. “One of the best things about Labatt is the endless opportunities to learn and grow,” he says. “We’re part of a global family, and that opens up so many possibilities for personal development.”
In fact, the company’s reputation as a top employer and an exemplary corporate citizen is clearly borne out by the fact that last year, 10,000 Canadians submitted applications for 600 jobs. That same year, Labatt paid more than $230 million in wages and salaries to its 3,000 full-time employees at six breweries, four Beer Institutes, 15 sales offices, Toronto head office, and 23 warehouses and distribution centres.
“We provide our people with the opportunity to develop at their own pace,” says Charlie Angelakos, the vice-president of corporate affairs. “We see some young people progressing through our organization very quickly and really benefiting from our professional-development programs.”
Labatt’s appeal to new graduates and skilled workers goes beyond above-average income levels. Williston is also excited and motivated by Labatt’s commitment to community service. One of his favourite activities is the annual Thames River Clean Up in London, Ont., when employees and their families and friends tidy sections of the local watershed. “Labatt employees have many options when it comes to realizing the satisfaction of community involvement,” he says.
Those programs include on-the-job training and mentoring, executive management programs, Six Sigma training and thousands of in-house
At work, team spirit is just as strong as community spirit. Employees regularly brainstorm ideas to improve business practices. “We challenge
– Charlie Angelakos, Vice-President of Corporate Affairs
SHANE WILLISTON, ENVIRONMENT & SAFETY MANAGER, AT LABATT BREWERIES OF CANADA
3,000 10,000 full-time staff in Canada
job applications last year
each others’ ideas before coming to a consensus on a solution,” says Williston. “Then we provide one another with expertise, resources and assistance to implement the idea.” “At Labatt, we share the common dream of being the best beer company, bringing people together for a better world,” says Angela-
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promotions last year, salaried staff
kos. “Our dream galvanizes everybody and is the energy behind our high-performance culture.” The most compelling aspect of this commitment is that everyone at Labatt, from bottom to top, is invested in making the company a sought-after career destination and the world a better place.
CHARACTER. IT’S WHO WE ARE AND IN ALL WE DO. The Best Beer Company Bringing People Together For a Better World
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Proud member of the Anheuser-Busch InBev family
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