Top Employer: First Credit Union

Recognized as one of BC's Top Employers (2024):

Here are some of the reasons why First Credit Union was selected as one of BC's Top Employers (2024):

First Credit Union recently implemented a maternity and parental leave top-up program, providing all parents with up to 85 per cent of salary for up to 15 weeks, and offers pre-adoption leave of up to three weeks per year -- new parents also have the option to phase-in their return to work by gradually increasing work hours
First Credit Union celebrates exceptional performance through its Living Our Vision Spirit Awards, awarded monthly and quarterly, providing reward points that can be used towards local business gift cards or personal spending account dollars
First Credit Union encourages employees save for the longer term though a defined contribution pension plan, and offers a number of helpful financial benefits along the way, including preferred mortgage and lending rates, discounted auto insurance, and free financial planning services

First Credit Union employee Nik Jovicic, personal account manager, assists a client over the phone

Industry	Credit unions
Established in Canada	1939
Major Canadian locations	Hornby Island BC, Bowser BC, Union Bay BC, Cumberland BC, Courtenay BC, Bowen Island BC, Powell River BC
Full-time employees in Canada	75
Part-time employees in Canada	21
Longest serving employee	41 years
Flexible work options	hybrid work option, flexible work hours, 35-hour work week (with full pay), compressed work week, shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay), telecommuting
Long-term savings	defined-benefit (DB) pension, defined-contribution (DC) pension
Health plan premium	as part of the health plan, the employer pays up to 75% of the premiums
Wellness spending account	up to $250 each year
Mental health practitioner benefit	up to $1,000 each year
Parental top-up (mothers)	up to 85% of salary for 15 weeks
Parental top-up (fathers)	up to 85% of salary for 15 weeks
Adoption top-up	up to 85% of salary for 15 weeks
Vacation allowance	new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job
Outside survey period	outside consultant surveys are held every 12 months
Employee performance reviews	employees receive individual performance reviews every 6 months
In-house training initiatives	in-house training, online training, leadership development programs
Related tuition subsidies	employer covers up to 100% of tuition per year
Annual tuition maximum	employer pays up to $2,500 in tuition subsidies for job-related courses per year
Employee charitable involvement	employees are involved in selection of charities

Industry	Credit unions
Full-time employees in Canada	51 to 100
Major Canadian locations	Hornby Island BC, Bowser BC, Union Bay BC, Cumberland BC, Courtenay BC, Bowen Island BC, Powell River BC
Student opportunities	summer jobs
Training	subsidies for professional accreditation, orientation program, online training, in-house training, leadership training
Annual tuition maximum	employer pays up to $2,500 in tuition subsidies for job-related courses per year
Typical new grad positions	Financial Service Representative, Member Service Representative, Coordinators
Starting salary	$40K to $50K
Work benefits	health benefits for new employees, flexible work hours, telecommuting
Vacation allowance	new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job

Bachelor of Arts
- Business
- Economics
Bachelor of Commerce / Business Administration
- Accounting
- Finance
- Information Systems
Master of Business Administration
Professional Accreditation
- Accounting (CA)
- Accounting (CGA)
- Accounting (CMA)
- Financial Planning (CFP, FMA)
- Financial Securities (CSC)
- Insurance (RIBO, OTL, CIP)
- Investment Planning (CFA, CIM)
Secondary Education
- High School Diploma