There’s a high demand for material handling equipment (MHE) jobs in Alberta as large distribution centres continue to open up and make their homes in Alberta.

You’ve likely seen companies like Walmart and Amazon recruiting for warehouse positions lately, but what are they really looking for?

MHE Jobs

The most common MHE jobs opportunities include:

Forklift Operators, who distribute, transport and take inventory of equipment, merchandise and /or materials.
Reach Truck Operators, who operate reach trucks, load orders onto delivery trucks, scan orders and mechanically pick orders.
Power Pallet Jack Operators, who move material throughout the warehouse and pick and replenish stock.

These positions can also require knowledge of computer applications, ability to use RF guns, heavy lifting, detailed organization skills and attention to safety protocol.

Schedule and Hours

Warehouse jobs often offer both full time and part time jobs in shift work, including weekends and overnight.

Certification and other requirements

Most MHE jobs in Alberta require candidates to complete Alberta Forklift Certification and Transportation of Dangerous Goods Certification.

Get working!

If you don’t have the certification or skills to qualify for an operator position, you can upskill through our Career Leap program, which offers training and access to resources for assessments, licencing and more.

Already have the qualifications needed for this position? Get in touch with us today.

It’s been a hot topic for months and as the legalization of cannabis comes into effect on October 17, people are wondering what it means in the world of work.

The cans and can’ts of legalization

Think of legalized cannabis the same way you would alcohol—many of the same rules and regulations apply, including:

You have to be 18+ to purchase or smoke it
You can only purchase from licensed stores or albertacannabis.org
You can only purchase or carry 30 grams at a time
You can only grow four plants per household
You can’t smoke or vape in some public places
You can’t drive while high
You can’t have it can’t within reach of anyone in a vehicle

Joints on the job

Again, just like alcohol, employers will have the right to set and enforce rigid policies around impairment in the workplace.

In most work environments, safety is of the utmost importance, and to uphold that, it is crucial for both employers and employees to share the responsibility of keeping everyone safe. To do that, the Government of Canada suggests some simple guidelines.

Employers should:

ensure the health and safety of all employees at work
address physical and/or psychological hazards in their workplace, including when impaired.
work with employee representatives to develop, implement and evaluate a hazard prevention program to monitor and prevent hazards
include policies on substance use and impairment in a hazard prevention programs when the use of cannabis and other causes of impairment represents a hazard

If you don’t yet have a cannabis policy in place, you can use the Government of Alberta’s Sample Workplace Impairment Prevention Policy Template as a guide.

Employees must:

work safely
understand the impact that using substances (medical/therapeutic or non-medical) can have on their safety and that of others
report to their employer any item or circumstance that is likely to be hazardous to the employees or any other person in the work place
inform their employer if a medical condition or treatment may cause impairment and impact their ability to perform their job safely
follow all instructions provided by the employer concerning the health and safety of employees

If you’re unsure about your company’s policy, check in with your HR department.

Get informed

When in doubt, it’s always best to practice common sense. If you wouldn’t drink on the job, don’t consume cannabis on the job.

For more information, visit the Government of Canada’s Cannabis in Canada site and the Government of Alberta’s Cannabis Framework and Legislation.

As Alberta’s economy continues to recover and is currently second in the country in growth, the job market is seeing a return of manufacturing jobs. In 2017, nearly 120,0001 Albertans were employed in manufacturing.

For employers, it has become increasingly difficult to find operators and many companies are instead opting to invest in their teams by providing training and development opportunities.

For job seekers, it is critical to up skill and obtain the required assessments, licensing and certification.

If you’re thinking about a job in manufacturing, read on!

What gets manufactured in Alberta?

More than 9,100¹ companies manufacture goods and products that include²:

Food
Wood products
Printing and related support activities
Chemical
Primary metal
Fabricated metal products
Machinery
Computer and electronic products
Furniture and related products

Which jobs are employers hiring for?

The most common job opportunity in the market is for Material Handling Equipment (MHE) operators, which includes reach, forklift and power pallet jack operators.

How do I get a job in manufacturing?

The Career Leap Program is a great resource for anyone looking to get into skilled trades and manufacturing, and offers job seekers the opportunity to get the training, personal protective equipment and certification they’ll need in the workplace.

Call Manpower today to see how you can get started in the world of manufacturing!

¹ Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, Alberta Manufacturing Statistics (2017)

² Calgary Economic Development