Energy production and distribution, AltaGas Ltd. is a big player in this industry and has a three-pronged business model. The first element includes the company's natural gas operations, assets such as extraction plants, pipelines, and numerous processing facilities in B.C. and Alberta. 

The company also has a power division, which includes diverse energy production methods, such as coal and gas, but also renewable energy sources, such as hydro, biomass, and wind power (this includes the Bear Mountain Wind Park, which was the first fully-operational wind park in B.C.). In the United States, AltaGas has interests in wood biomass facilities in North Carolina and Michigan.

The third portion of the AltaGas business includes its utilities assets. AltaGas owns and operates utility assets that deliver natural gas to end-users in Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Michigan and Alaska.

Why you'll love AltaGas

As an expanding company, AltaGas is looking for dynamic young people to help with that expansion. We've experienced tremendous growth since the company started, says Erinn Desjardins, manager of human resources projects and solutions for AltaGas. Employees have great opportunity for professional growth. 

Although a new hire might find themselves in one branch of the company, the door to make a transition is always open. Employees can work in any of our divisions: gas, power, or utilities, says Desjardins, or they can excel on the corporate side of things. 

The opportunities are endless, she adds. If you've expressed interest in learning about another side of the business, AltaGas is really supportive of learning and development. But most important, this is a fun place to work. We celebrate our successes on a quarterly basis, where we take everyone out and generally have a day of rest and fun to celebrate our hard work.

The perks

Benefits are never far from the minds of jobseekers, so it's always helpful to know where a company stands. There's no waiting for health and dental benefits, and it's 100 percent employer-paid, says Desjardins. We also have access to discount programs at various retail, automotive, and professional services throughout Canada. 

You can't throw a rock these days without hitting someone who has student loan debt, which is something that AltaGas recognizes. We have fantastic education assistance and tuition programs, where up to 100 percent of the costs associated with an employee's post-secondary program are fully reimbursed, says Desjardins. That's open to the company's whole demographic, not just young graduates. In terms of bonuses, the company offers multiple options. We have short-term incentive plans where bonuses are paid out annually, but we also have long-term cash incentives.

The company also helps the community though a program called HEROIC, where AltaGas offers paid time off to employees so they can volunteer. 

How to apply

The company's new grad program recognizes the importance of starting employees out on the right path. Every year we hire a select group of graduates into our organization and rotate them through four different areas of the business over a two-year term, after which they're permanently placed, explains Desjardins. It's an intense, challenging work experience, but it develops technically skilled, confident, motivated, and innovative people.

The best way to apply is through the company's website, or by sending an email to careers@altagas.ca.

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