Syncrude is one of the largest producers of crude oil from Canada’s oil sands. It operates a large oil sand mine, utilities plant, bitumen extraction plant, and upgrading facility that processes bitumen and produces value-added light, sweet crude oil for domestic consumption and export. Most employees work out of Fort McMurray, Alta.

Why Syncrude?

Recent grads want it all: A good salary, friendly coworkers, constructive mentorship, and an opportunity to grow professionally. Is it too much to ask for all of this right off the bat? Not at Syncrude Canada, where more than 200 co-op students choose to complete their work term each year and where many recent graduates choose to start their careers.

The company, which is one of the largest producers of crude oil in Canada, spent its first 14 years specializing in research before initiating oil production in 1978. As Syncrude spokesperson Cheryl Robb points out, these research roots still play an important role today as the company strives to lead the way in technology and continuous learning, which in turn leaves plenty of opportunity for young people.

Why you’ll love Syncrude

A major benefit of working at a well-established company is an abundance of experienced workers to learn from. 

“We have more than 400 employees that have more than 30 years with us,” says Robb. “They have invaluable knowledge to share, and we find that helps us attract young professionals who are starting out in their careers.”

Young people don’t just work alongside experienced employees, they are mentored by the veterans to help them feel more comfortable in their new roles and learn the ropes of the industry more quickly.

Through the Syncrude Networking Advisor Program (SNAP), new employees have the opportunity to speak informally with an advisor, who is usually a senior employee. The program even offers quarterly social events for young employees and their advisors.

Once you have your bearings, there’s always more skills and knowledge to gain. The oil sands is a highly technical business that requires highly skilled people. 

“We believe in continuous learning at Syncrude because a more informed, productive, and motivated workforce is gained if you support continuous learning,” says Robb. “Helping employees get new skills and knowledge increases their commitment to the organization.” 

The perks

Along with competitive base salaries, Syncrude employees receive vacation days and health and dental benefits. Since the company prefers that employees live in the local community, there is a retention program with incentives for employees to stay in the Fort McMurray area. If you’re a student, you get free rental accommodations during your work term, and there’s free airfare to go to and from your home community at the start and end of your work term. If you’re a new hire and you’re coming from outside, then you’re eligible for relocation assistance.

The final retention factor is, for Robb, the icing on the cake. It’s the people you get to work with at Syncrude.  

“A lot of the people who work here are really passionate about what they do,” says Robb. “For me, that is one of the big things that drew me to Syncrude.”

How to apply

Students and recent grads are encouraged to check out the Syncrude careers page and apply through the online applications system at: http://www.syncrude.ca.

For the full list of Canada's top employers for young people, click here.