Carol Brown, West Fraser's human resources manager, talks about the experiences staff enjoy at a world-leading wood panel manufacturer.
Recognised internationally as a leading supplier of wood products, West Fraser, which operates two sites in Scotland, has always recognised that their staff are their greatest asset. The company has a proud history of training for young people and many team members have enjoyed long, progressive careers with West Fraser.
What is the typical service period for an employee?
The average length of service is 9 - 10 years although we actually have employees who've hit 25- and 40-years' service. We have three generations from the same family!
Does West Fraser operate a graduate programme?
We run a graduate programme in our engineering department for mechanical, electrical and process engineers. The scheme was introduced eleven years ago when it evolved from the regular summer work experience placement we offered to students, and we have seen many students successfully complete the programme. Our graduate programme is popular because people are given the opportunity to be hands-on and fully integrated into the business from day one. Graduates get exposed to most parts of the business.
Does West Fraser offer an apprenticeship scheme?
For over 40 years, West Fraser has been giving local 16+ year old school leavers the opportunity to complete apprenticeships at the plants in Inverness and Cowie. As is common with apprenticeships, the new starters can expect on-the-job training combined with day release to a local college.
Does the location of plants make West Fraser a more significant employment opportunity for local people?
Yes, the sites are based in rural communities, so we are among the largest employers in the Cowie, Inverness and Genk (Belguim) areas. We see ourselves as an integral part of the communities in which our employees work and live and we support local charities and sponsor local schools and universities to support our staff.
Are staff offered guidance on their career path or regular reviews?
After completing the four-year apprenticeship and obtaining satisfactory examination results, the majority are employed on permanent contracts. All employees have two formal one-to-one appraisals carried out by their line manager every year to discuss their performance and to explore training and development opportunities. We also offer cross training so that employees can try out different roles and can offer support to their colleagues.
How does West Fraser support staff moral and mental health?
We provide our staff with an employee assistance programme that offers counsellors that offer support with personal and work issues that may be affecting mental health. We also have mental health first aiders on site for staff to go to.
Where can people find out about vacancies at West Fraser?
We have a careers page on our website where visitors will find current vacancies, details of the all the generous benefits commensurate with a company that values good employees and information on our undergraduate trainee and graduate development programmes.
For further information visit the careers page https://uk.westfraser.com/about-us/careers/