Viking is a locally owned business and its small-company mindset has helped it thrive. It now employs nearly 400 people in Victoria and over 80 in Calgary, and those counts continue to rise.
"I do orientation every week, whether it's for one person or ten," said human resources generalist Carrie Broadhead.
Viking owns the rights to the designs of some de Havilland Canada or DHC aircraft. It is continuing a proud Canadian tradition by supporting former de Havilland customers with parts and services. It is also forging into new territory as the first aircraft manufacturer in western Canada by putting proven planes back into production with exciting modern modifications, such as more powerful engines and bigger fuel tanks.
Broadhead says growth brings two HR challenges: the first is finding enough good people; the second is sustaining that small-company mindset whatever the company's size.
Viking has responded to that first challenge by recruiting based on a mix of skills and potential. The company is confident in its ability to teach additional skills when necessary and ran Viking Academy for this purpose. Also, Viking wisely takes advantage of government's on-the-job training programs, like WorkSource, which reimburses employers up to half of a new employee's salary for the first six months of employment.
"These are often highly skilled people who just need help breaking into the local workforce," said Broadhead.
Viking deals with the second challenge - sustaining a small-company mindset - simply by caring for employees.
Take the story of Julio Aparicio. Two years ago, he wanted a change from his job developing IT workbooks. He applied for a Junior Technical Writer position with Viking but the company felt his technical writing experience and attitude made him perfect for a position managing the creation of a manual to reduce build costs and time.
"When I learned what they had in mind I was won over," says Aparicio. "My job blends the fun of a Tonka Toy factory for grown men with the seriousness of creating a standard on how to build an aircraft from scratch - who wouldn't want to do that?"
Aparicio credits CARE - Career Assistance and Resources for Employment - with putting him in touch with Viking. "They were nothing short of amazing," said Aparicio who dropped into CARE after noticing their Sidney storefront.
"Two weeks later I was here."
Of course, Viking's approach includes a dependable benefits package with company matching RRSP contributions, MSP premiums, extended health, onsite flu shot clinics, short- and long-term disability, dental, and an allowance for safety footwear and customized hearing protection.
But these things alone wouldn't sustain Viking's small-company mindset and so the company also gives everyone their birthday off with pay, holds company parties, sponsors an employee golf tournament each summer, and flies the winners of an employee draw to Vancouver for Canucks games. Plus, there's a company-sponsored ball hockey league, a United Way corporate campaign that launches with a pancake breakfast, company-sponsored training and participation in the Times Colonist 10K, and every Friday is donut day with hot and fresh donuts from the Sidney Bakery.
This comprehensive approach is backed by those at the top. In fact, on select anniversaries of their starting date, employees are given a hand-written card signed by CEO Dave Curtis.
"That made me feel that my employer really cares," said Aparicio. "It's a personal touch, which is rare."
"There are a lot of people who have been here for over twenty years," said Broadhead. "That says a lot about the company and the dedication of the employees."
"You're not just some guy on the floor producing one little piece but part of the whole," said Aparicio. "This company helps employees understand that by having outings, competitions, and leagues. You feel like you're part of the team."
With both a small-company mindset and an expanding workforce, the sky truly is Viking's only limit.
Local and international research shows that addressing Essential Skills in the workforce helps both businesses and employees. Training helps manage change, retain promising employees, and improve productivity and safety.
SkillsPlus training is offered by the Victoria READ Society and the Community Council, with funding through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement (LMA) for small business in the Capital Region with less than 50 employees. Currently seven businesses in the retail/wholesale/grocery and tourism/hospitality sectors have signed up and others are on a waitlist.
Employers can find more workplace learning tips, tools and resources on READ's website at www.readsociety.bc.ca/workplace.htm and through the Community Council, http://www.qolchallenge.ca/resources/skillsplus.php.
