STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS: CONNECTING YOUTH & EMPLOYERS

CLEANRIVER & SHANNON, EMPLOYER SERVICES AND YOUTH PROGRAMME.

May 4^th, 2018.

Undoubtedly, you’ve seen them, gracing Canada’s most iconic chain of coffee shops: Distinctive, custom recycling bins that offer specific instructions, in images and text, for their successful use. If so, you have already been introduced to CleanRiver and its products.

CleanRiver has been in operation for almost 30 years, and headquartered in Aurora, Ontario, for 22 years. Currently, the company has 37 employees.

CleanRiver is a company with a strong vision. ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ is just the beginning. The company works to improve recycling outcomes in every type of business, one customer at a time: “We’ll supply much more than our innovative recycling containers made of the highest possible recycled content. We’ll share our expertise … excite you with our passion about making the planet a more sustainable place, and together, we’ll help ensure that your program is a success.”

Jennifer Lyall, Senior Manager of Human Resources and Technology at CleanRiver states, “We are proud to be a sustainable manufacturer and at CleanRiver we practice what we preach! CleanRiver recycling containers can be recycled at the end of use.”  Recycling them ‘closes the loop’ so the containers have a waste-free life cycle. For the past 10 years, CleanRiver has also applied the principles of Lean manufacturing in production. “By focusing on our customers, our energies and efforts go towards eliminating all forms of waste in our business processes. We have been able to reduce lead-times, while providing exceptional quality products and services, at a lower overall cost,” Ms. Lyall says.

CleanRiver meets clients’ diverse recycling challenges “with everything from complete recycling centres to desktop solutions.” Major enterprises as diverse as the Direct Energy Centre of Canada, Home Depot, Toyota, and the Toronto Transit Commission have all found exacting, customized results.

CleanRiver has also partnered to lead recycling innovation in Canada. Tim Hortons’ “Cup-to-Tray” recycling pilot project, which turns used hot beverage cups into take-out trays for customers, is a first for quick service restaurants (QSR) in Canada.

CleanRiver is also keenly aware of the essential role of people in a company’s success. Ms. Lyall explains, “The right fit and attitude are absolutely the most important attributes we look for when recruiting …” Then, “we really take the first three months of a new employee’s employment and ensure they are set up for success and ask them about their interview experience and if they feel the job is what they expected so that we can continue to improve our process,” she says.

Similarly, the company is “very committed” to training.  Numerous opportunities exist for employees to further develop soft skills. “We have been very fortunate in our business in hiring incredible [technical workers] in our production department.” The company has “such a talented and loyal group of people. However, I think it’s difficult … to find someone with those technical skill sets … in our area (Aurora) … A lot of potential employees live in [other parts of the GTA] and our location is a problem. We try to work with agencies [like Seneca Employment Services] to help us find local candidates,” Ms. Lyall states.

Shannon first came to the Seneca Employment offices in late 2017, “to find a job in my field.” She had recently lost a position. “I wanted to get back on the horse right away and who knows how long it would take on my own?” she says. Shannon made a casual stop at the Seneca offices and was recommended for the Youth Programme, “Strategies For Success”, a new federal initiative. It includes workshops, training and job search assistance. Youth Programme Job Developers research opportunities then assist clients in crafting resumes to best meet them. Likewise, they promote programmes and potential candidates to employers.

Shannon also continued her job search online, discovering one position of particular interest.  “A feeling drew me to CleanRiver – it’s in Aurora, close to everything, and in my field. I felt confident that I would get the job if I went after it.” As Shannon explains, “I already had some training in CNC, having worked on the machines since Grade 11, in woodworking, metalworking and tool and die making classes.”  But, while Shannon had graduated from college in 2010, she had yet to be employed in her field. Fortunately, the CleanRiver management team was willing to take a long view of that. Jennifer Lyall explains:

“When we hired Shannon (as a CNC Operator), we were actually looking for a CNC Programmer/Operator and hadn’t had a lot of candidates. I happened to receive an email from [Seneca Youth Programme staff] explaining the programme and the incentives available, which was really just perfect timing. She sent us Shannon’s resume right away … I didn’t see a fit for the Programmer/Operator role, but because of her soft skills (so much harder to find!) I thought maybe we could take a different approach and possibly hire a CNC Operator (the position one level below) and develop them into the CNC Programmer/Operator role over time.

“Our Production Manager and I had an interview with Shannon and both agreed right away we wanted to give her a chance. She was truly genuine, humble, positive, and wanted to do the right thing. She was eager and willing to try something new, and we were excited to give her a chance … Keeping with our culture of continuous learning and improvement, Shannon’s manager is already working on a training plan to help get her to the next level on our skills matrix.”

Does Ms. Lyall foresee using Seneca Employment Services again? “Absolutely I do. The next time we are hiring I plan to reach out again and see if there are any candidates that would be a fit for the role and our organization.”

For Shannon, the crucial aspect of the Youth Programme is that it gave her confidence. “I felt like [staff] were always very supportive, even if I was nervous. They always tried to help with that, make you less nervous, step by step.” To those considering the Programme, she offers this: “You don’t know what to expect by taking that one step forward. It can open a lot of doors. You just have to leap. Try to slowly step out of your shell and embrace who you are. The only way to move forward is to take that first step.  It might be scary, but the end game will be amazing.”

In the meantime, CleanRiver continues to innovate. According to Ms. Lyall, the Flex E™ Bin “is a versatile 50 gallon bin that can act as either a recycling station, a compost bin, a garbage can or all three.”  Also new is the BevvyBin8, which is “extremely durable and sturdy compared to other waste bins of a similar size and price currently in the market.” Their products are sure to continue transforming the industry. 

Seneca’s Workforce Skills Centres provide employers with customized services to connect job seekers with opportunities to gain marketable skills and knowledge needed to obtain employment. The Strategies for Success Programme is a new federal initiative for youth 15-30 years of age that seeks employers for a minimum commitment of eight weeks at minimum wage. Get started by calling us today to speak to a Job Developer. www.workforceready.ca.