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BC mill teaches educators about paper mill jobs

According to a report in the Alberni Valley Times, Catalyst Paper’s Port Alberni, BC, division is “constantly hiring,” says general manager Fred Chinn.

According to a report in the Alberni Valley Times, Catalyst Paper’s Port Alberni, BC, division is “constantly hiring,” says general manager Fred Chinn.

The mill recently held a professional development day for teachers, where it hosted about 50 educators to inform them of the career opportunities at the mill for their students.

Catalyst’s Port Alberni mill employs about 320 people, but that number can grow. And if the professional development day is successful in its goal, it can grow from local workers.

Staff turnover is something that has been common at Catalyst for the past 24 months. In that period, 28% of the mill’s workforce has been changed due to retirements, Chinn told the paper. “There’s lots of opportunities for young people,” Chinn said. “We’ve hired over 100 people in the last two years.”

To continue to be able to hire local people, Chinn developed the ‘Educate the Educator’ day, so a message can be relayed back toAlberni  Valley students of the possibilities for employment in their community.

“I said, let’s invite the teachers in for an open house,” Chinn said. “I thought we’d have them learn about us, the mill, the process, so that when they are talking with their students, and answering questions from their students, that they could have more insight about what we’re all about.”