Number 4 - ExxonMobil in the UK

Vinnie Saddleback displays
an ornate ceremonial garment
that combines traditional and
contemporary touches.
participate in traditional games,
eat traditional foods and gain an
appreciation for the culture.
“Participating in these events
is helpful in that we experience,
firsthand, Aboriginal tradition and
an appreciation for the land from
a First Nation perspective,” says
Martin. “Another plus: The food
is delicious.”
One highly successful initiative
has been Imperial’s Native
Internship Program, which was
recently honored by the Alberta
Chamber of Resources and the
Alberta Ministry of International,
Intergovernmental and Aboriginal
Relations. The program provides
24 months of paid on-the-job
training for Aboriginal people.
Graduates gain valuable technical
experience working in field or
plant operations.
“Imperial’s Native Internship
Program breaks down barriers by
eliminating common challenges
experienced by Aboriginal peoples
who want to pursue technical
careers in the oil and gas
industry,” says Rick Janvier, former
human resources manager
for Cold Lake First Nation and
a partner in the internship program.
Janvier is now the human
5
Photo by Mike Morrow
Imperial Oil’s Dennis Collins (left) and Fred Cardinal help Aboriginal
interns and new hires get oriented to a corporate culture.
resources manager for Seven
Lakes, an Aboriginal-owned business
that is a prime contractor for
Imperial’s Cold Lake operations.
Since the internship program’s
introduction in 1998, 31
students have participated in
the program. Imperial has hired
all of the graduates from this
program, increasing Aboriginal
employment from 2.6 percent to
10 percent of its total workforce.
Martin says that the program
is a win-win for Imperial.
“Not only do the workers benefit,”
Martin says, “but Imperial
also benefits by gaining highly
skilled employees to meet the
demand in our operations.”
Experience as an example
Making the transition from
some of the more isolated First
Nation and Métis communities
to working at a large oil industry
operation can be intimidating.
Nobody understands this better
than those who have
experienced it.
That recognition
led to establishment of mentorship
support for graduates of the
Native Internship Program and
To learn more
exxonmobil.com/
coldlake
other newly hired Aboriginal workers
in Cold Lake. Imperial provides
mentorship support for its
other operations across Canada
as well.
Cardinal and Dennis Collins,
a Cold Lake operations maintenance
planner originally from the
Elizabeth Métis settlement near
Cold Lake, are native liaisons
for the company and mentors
to new Aboriginal interns and
hires. Collins notes the adjustment
period can be hard on
newcomers.
“They want to give back
to society. But if you take an
Aboriginal person out of his or
her lifestyle and culture and put
that person in a corporate culture
without some guidance, that indi-
vidual could fail. Assistance
and mentoring can help.”
“We show them the
ropes and give them a shoulder
to lean on,” adds Cardinal. “We
help them get through those
rocky times. I really think it helps
retain good employees – people
who want to work and want to
give back to the company and
to their communities. And it’s so
exciting to see them succeed
and become role models in their
communities.”
Cardinal and Collins also
spend time in schools in the
First Nation and Métis settlements,
educating students
about opportunities at Imperial
and elsewhere.
“My key message to the
youth is that good things will
happen if you set your goals and
put them into action,” Cardinal
says. “I use myself and my job
at Imperial as an example.”
the Lamp
Photo by Catherine Teasdale