Lloydminster – Oil and gas companies and employees aren’t the only ones affected by downsizing and layoffs during the commodity price downturn.
Some of the 22 recruiters that took part in the 4th annual business job fair at Lakeland College in Lloydminster on March 4 told Pipeline News it’s not business as usual for them either.
“We are probably receiving above average applications at the moment just because of the recession,” said Krista Bondy, human resources coordinator for the Rural Municipality of Wilton near Lloydminster.
“A lot of equipment operators have found themselves victims to layoffs and that sort of thing. So we’re seeing a lot more applications this spring than we’re used to.
“I think so far in the last four or five weeks, we’ve probably received over 45 applications.
“We do still have a few small positions left, but in terms of our seasonal work force this year, it’s probably going to look a lot different too for us trying to plan for the effects of the recession.”
The RM of Wilton has hired two finishing grader operators recently, but if more wells get shut in during downturn, their oilfield road maintenance budget will be impacted by reduced taxation.
RMs levy taxes to cover accumulated costs resulting from road access and maintenance, policing and fire protection, public health, planning and development, and environmental services.
The RM of Wilton is home to the Lloydminster Husky Upgrader, thousands of heavy oil wells, several industrial parks and the expanding Altex Energy crude-by-rail facility in Lashburn.
“Projects are coming off. The thing with a municipality is that, unlike an oil company that is trying to survive this downturn year, we’re more impacted in year two because of the taxation base,” said Bondy.
“We are trying to be a little bit proactive with what we are doing this year and keep us above that line for next year.”
As for hiring students for summer jobs this year at the RM Bondy said, “We’re not 100 per cent sure at this time.
“They’re still under talks in terms of projects and how many projects we’ll be undertaking. That will determine if we have a seasonal workforce at all this year,” she explained.
TJ Altman, a division director for the Investors Group was asked what advice he offers to laid off oilfield workers in terms of finances.
“One of the things we do at Investors Group is we are in touch with our clients to set aside that rainy day fund” he said.
On the bright side he added, “Right now as much Lloydminster and surrounding areas in the oilfield are in a little bit of turmoil, the actual financial markets are doing incredibly well.
“So there’s a lot of strength in the market and in the world for that matter.”
He noted calls are coming into his office every week from laid off workers or employers asking about what they should do about their benefit packages.
“A lot of the big companies don’t have somebody who can actually sit down with them and explain what to do with these things,” said Altman.
He invites new business grads and older workers close to retirement to apply for work at Investors Group.
“We are actually working with young people to people that are close to retirement. It is a great industry that we run – because you run your own business,” explained Altman.
“Running your own business – you are also setting your own hours. If you’re making the wage that you want and making sure your clients are well looked after, then your business is doing what you want.
“I take a look at our office right now and we have ex- oilfield employees, we have ex- teachers, we have ex-university graduates, we have farmers. We have people from all different walks of life.
“Our business really is the love of people and wanting to help people with their finances.”
Leckie & Associates Chartered Accountants could lose a few of their bookkeeping jobs to oil companies during the downturn but otherwise they are busy.
“Especially now, March is one of our busiest times of the year. A lot of companies have their taxes due by the end of the March. There’s a ton of work that way,” said chartered accountant Ryan Deis at his company’s booth.
“We do financial statements and tax returns, but we also sometimes do cash flow management and projection forecasting – management consulting. We have a lot of December year-ends.
“Even with the oil prices down, it doesn’t really impact our work right now. It will probably impact us another year or so from now.”
Deis said that’s when they could lose some bookkeeping activity as oilfield companies will try to find ways to reduce their accounting costs.
“So they will try to do some of their own bookkeeping,” he noted.
Chris Jack, an accountant with Hawkings Epp Dumont Chartered Accountants said accounting is a great and stable career in all economic climates.
“One thing about the accounting industry is, it’s not really affected by the oilfield and oil prices and that kind of thing,” he said.
“We are usually steady. We have steady work throughout the year. I guess depending on the work flow and the employees that are at our firm, it can vary whether we’re hiring or not.”
He noted he hasn’t seen any oilfield accountants that have come to work for the company during the downturn.
“I know we have had a few resumés come in earlier. There was a lady from an oilfield company, but I think this was before oil prices had dropped,” he said.
Dejan Risteski, a heavy oil region recruiter for Aecom that recently purchased URS Flint said his company was getting lots of applications for trades positions during the downturn.
“Right now, we’re looking for pipefitters, electricians and rig welders. We are hiring out of Bonnyville,” he said.
“We’re looking at hiring some ‘mod’ yard work. A lot of the work is for Devon so that’s what we’re working on now.”
His said his recruiting goal at the business job fair was to get as many applications as possible for their future needs especially out of Lloydminster.
“We’re talking to some business students and making some good connections,” he said.
When it comes to selecting the right candidate Risteski said, “We usually go with experience and who is the most qualified.
“Then you do interviews, and see who is the best fit.”
Leanne Griffiths, Lakeland’s student employment advisor said the job fair helps to connect diploma and degree students from the Lloydminster and Vermilion campuses with employers as the term draws to an end.
“It’s gives them an opportunity to network and hopefully gain employment. It’s a good time of the year. They are looking at graduation in another month or so,” she said.
The Servus Credit Union received a stack of resumés from students at the fair to go with some previous applicants from the oil and gas industry.
“We are receiving quite a few that are coming into the branch with regards to many different positions that we have,” said Dianna Miller assistant branch manager.
“It’s probably the best time of year for us to start receiving those applications.”
The credit union is hiring for a member service representative and positions as associate financial advisors at their two branches in Lloydminster.
“Keeping those staffed right now is the focus for sure,” she said noting there are great opportunities to advance within the organization.
