Thompson

Supporting Our Employees

Inco has a historic reputation as a supportive employer. We were one of the first companies in Canada to introduce an Employee Assistance Plan. As well, we have long endeavoured to provide our employees with the skills and training they need to do their jobs effectively and safely, and advance their careers.

BUILDING SKILLS

Over the past two years, we have introduced a restructured four-year apprenticeship program for heavy-duty mechanics, industrial mechanics and industrial electricians. This program aims to address current recruitment challenges and significant retirement projections. In 2004, 12 employees from our operations and five new hires participated in the apprenticeship program. According to Ron Tate, Training Coordinator, Surface Plants at our Manitoba Operations, who also served on the provincial Manitoba Apprenticeship and Trades Qualification Board from 1996 to 2003, “This program provides an excellent opportunity for young employees in Thompson to gain a skill that will be with them for life as they also earn a living.”

A RESPECTFUL WORKPLACE

In collaboration with the United Steelworkers, we developed a workplace seminar called Building Respectful Workplaces. Since it was introduced two years ago, the vast majority of our Thompson employees have completed a mandatory two-hour anti-harassment seminar, which is designed to raise awareness of harassment issues and the applicable legislative and regulatory landscape. Says Bill Vickman, Manager, Human Resources, Environment, Health and Safety, “We must embrace dignity and respect every minute of every day.”

FOCUS ON SAFETY

Early in 2004, all 1,500 Thompson employees completed training in our Safe Production initiative, which was launched in the fall of 2003. Rather than a program, Safe Production is a commitment to change how each employee thinks and acts about safety.

To help move Safe Production forward, we conducted a survey that asked employees for their views on the current state of safety, including leadership's commitment and how employees approach safety in their daily work. Says Safety Superintendent Jim Howitt, “The survey provides excellent baseline information that will help us track improvements through subsequent surveys every six months or so. It is a great monitoring tool to help keep us on track to safe production.”