For the seventh year in a row, NAIT has been named as one of Alberta’s top 70 employers. The annual competition is held by Canada’s Top 100 Employers project and recognizes exceptional workplaces for many reasons such as offered time off, health and family benefits, community involvement and performance management.
NAIT is specifically being recognized for their participation in Pride Week, celebrating the diversity of its staff and students, flexible work options and top-up of maternity leave payments (up to 95 per cent of salary for 16 weeks). NAIT is also recognized for promoting the health and well-being of its staff, offering health spending accounts and wellness information sessions on topics such as mindfulness and healthy eating.
Teresa Sturgess, a marketing instructor for the JR Shaw School of Business, says there are many reasons why NAIT is an enjoyable place to work.
“I think that NAIT does an excellent job of making this a fabulous place to work. It makes me proud,” says Sturgess. “For myself personally I get to have a very fulfilling job. I work with students all day, at a very interesting time in their lives where they’re trying to figure out what they want to do with their careers. I get to be part of that and that is rewarding.”
Sturgess says the institute helps allows her to do the best job that she can, saying they’re supportive of new learning opportunities and encourage new opportunities for classroom improvement. Not only does she enjoy the work she does as an instructor, she also appreciates some of the job’s perks.
“I’m personally a triathlete. I love all the facilities here. I love having a pool I can enjoy and a fitness facility.” Ultimately, Sturgess admits it’s not just her that creates a great working environment. Her colleagues are some of her best friends and she says every employee contributes to the work environment.
“It takes a community to do it,” says Sturgess. “I’m just one instructor. There are many others that the students touch. It goes to the management, it goes to the people that are working in the halls and after hours. Everyone has a part to play in creating an environment for the students.”
