Recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers (2025) and BC's Top Employers (2025):
By Richard Yerema and Kristina Leung, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Nov 14, 2024)
Here are some of the reasons why West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. was selected as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers (2025) and BC's Top Employers (2025):
- West Fraser encourages ongoing employee development though tuition subsidies for courses at outside institutions and financial incentives for some course completions -- and reaches out to the next generation through a formal new and young worker training program (for all new hires and younger employees), summer and paid internships, as well as apprenticeships for engineering, forestry and accounting students
- West Fraser helps employees plan ahead with retirement planning assistance services, along with a defined contribution pension (for union, non-union and salaried employees) and a traditional defined benefit pension plan (for hourly union and non-union employees) -- and employees may be able to ease into their retirement years with phased-in retirement work options
- West Fraser designates a portion of its pre-tax profits to charitable and community giving and follows a "give where we live" approach, with the majority of donations decided with employee feedback and distributed by mill managers who live and work in its local communities -- the company distributed approximately $2.5 million in Canadian communities last year
West Fraser employees
West Fraser employees
West Fraser employees
Employer Background
| Industry | Sawmills |
| Established in Canada | 1955 |
| Publicly traded | yes |
| Major Canadian locations | Montréal QC, La Sarre QC, Chambord QC, Barwick ON, Toronto ON, High Prairie AB, High Level AB, Grand Prairie AB, Sundre AB, Rocky Mountain House AB, Edmonton AB, Whitecourt AB, Hinton AB, Slave Lake AB, Vancouver BC, Fraser Lake BC, Smithers BC, 100 Mile House BC, Williams Lake BC, Chetwynd BC, Quesnel BC |
| Full-time employees in Canada | 5,588 |
| Part-time employees in Canada | 203 |
| Full-time employees worldwide | 10,623 |
| Average age of employees in Canada | 44 years |
| Longest serving employee | 54 years |
Work Environment Rating: A
| Flexible work options | flexible work hours, (flexible work options vary by position) |
| Commuter amenities | walk to public transit, transit subsidies, electric vehicle charging stations, secure/sheltered bicycle parking, nearby bike sharing station |
| Onsite workplace features | nearby car-sharing station, onsite Starbucks, sit-stand workstations, private phone booth, self-serve lunchroom, outdoor patio, outdoor barbecue, discounts at local restaurants |
| Employee lounge amenities | comfortable seating, two kitchen areas and smaller seating areas with communal areas, couches, booths, and relaxation spaces in the "West Fraser Café", the building management hosts a variety of events such as art shows, pet days, and health and wellness activities |
| Other food options at main location | West Fraser office is centrally located downtown with a coffee shop and eatery in the building as well as many restaurants, coffee shops and grocery stores surrounding the office. |
| Onsite fitness facility | shared-use facility, free membership, treadmills, stationary bikes, stairmasters, instructor-led classes (yoga), elliptical trainers, rowing machines, weights, shower facilities, outdoor tennis and basketball court |
Work Atmosphere & Communications Rating: B+
| Employee social committee name | West Fraser Social Committee Vancouver (est. 2023) |
| Past social events | Halloween costume party (with pizza lunch, and candy of course), family Christmas party with gifts from Santa for children of employees, numerous socials throughout the year from pub nights to golf games to baseball games, participation in the Vancouver Sun Run and the annual Terry Fox Run |
| Cultural aspects | business-casual dress daily, dress-for-your-day policy, casual dress (e.g. jeans) daily, music while working, concierge services available, employee sports teams, organized social activities for retirees |
| Employee communications | intranet site, company newsletter, traditional/email suggestion box, internal social media |
| Other in-house communications | Treeline (company's intranet) and Chip Chatter (formal newsletter) |
Financial Benefits & Compensation Rating: A
| Financial benefits note | West Fraser has multiple employee groups, financial benefits may vary by position |
| Outside salary surveys | participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months |
| Employee salary reviews | individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months |
| Long-term savings | defined-contribution (DC) pension |
| Long-term planning | retirement planning assistance, phased-in retirement work options |
| Share purchase plan | available to all employees |
| Signing bonuses | available for some positions |
| Additional financial benefits | year-end bonuses for some employees, corporate discount program (e.g. retail, services, travel, etc.), discounted home insurance, new defined contribution pension plan introduced in 2022 is available to all union, non-union and salaried employees, hourly union and non-union employees remain part of the defined benefit pension plan |
Health & Family-Friendly Benefits Rating: B
| Health plan note | West Fraser has multiple employee groups, health plans may vary by position |
| Health plan premium | as part of the health plan, the employer pays up to 100% of the premiums |
| Flexible coverage | health plan is flexible with adjustable premiums and coverage levels |
| Minimum hours worked for coverage | 21 hours per week |
| Waiting period for coverage | 30 days |
| Family coverage option | yes |
| Retiree coverage with no age limit | yes |
| Dental coverage | routine, restorative, orthodontics |
| Eyecare | $400 every 2 years |
| Paid sick days | employees receive 12 days off each year |
| Health plan includes | traditional coverage (e.g. prescription drugs), employee assistance (EAP) plan, semi-private hospital room, physiotherapy, medical travel insurance, homecare, medical equipment and supplies, massage therapy, nutrition planning, podiatrist, osteopathy, chiropractor, alternative coverage (e.g. acupuncture, naturopathy), virtual healthcare services |
| Mental health practitioner benefit | up to $1,000 each year |
| Additional health plan information | salaried employees (approximately 30%) have a flexible health plan that lets them transfer unused credits to salary, savings or additional time off, noting that many employees live and work in smaller communities, the benefit plan also covers fees for medical travel, non-emergency medical transportation (airfare or equivalent bus fare) and hotel accommodation |
| Additional health and wellness initiatives | onsite doctor at the head office available for onsite and online consultations and hosts regular lunch and learns on a variety of health topics |
| Family-friendly benefits note | West Fraser has multiple employee groups, family-friendly policies may vary by position |
| Maternity top-up (mothers) | up to 100% of salary for 8 weeks |
| Additional family-friendly benefits | phased-in return to work for new parents |
Vacation & Personal Time-Off Rating: B+
| Vacation note | West Fraser has multiple employee groups, vacation policies may vary by position |
| Vacation allowance | new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job |
| Vacation jump | vacation increases after 6 years of employment |
| Maximum vacation allowance | employees move to a maximum of 7 weeks of vacation over their career |
| Previous experience | considers previous work experience when setting annual vacation for new employees |
| Personal paid days off | employees can schedule 1 personal day off each year, as needed |
| Unpaid leave of absence option | yes |
| Additional time-off information | salaried employees receive an additional paid week above their regular vacation after 5 years of service, as well as bonus weeks of vacation every fifth anniversary thereafter |
Employee Engagement & Performance Rating: B
| Employee performance reviews | employees receive individual performance reviews every 6 months |
| Managers receive performance review training | yes |
| Exit interview | exit interview option is available for departing employees |
| Performance recognition | long-service awards |
Training & Skills Development Rating: B+
| Career planning | in-house career planning services, online employee skills inventory |
| In-house training initiatives | apprenticeship/skilled trades programs, mentoring, in-house training, online training, leadership development programs, paid internships, subsidies for professional accreditation, mentoring to transfer retirees' skills |
| Related tuition subsidies | employer covers up to 100% of tuition per year |
| Unrelated tuition subsidies | employer covers up to 50% of tuition per year for courses unrelated to current position |
| Financial bonuses for course completions | yes |
| Unique training & development programs | summer employment program and student opportunities for engineering, wood products processing, forestry, technology, finance, accounting and human resources, formal new-young worker program pairs new hires and younger employees (under the age of 25) with a supervisor for a one-week job shadow |
Community Involvement Rating: B+
| Employee charitable involvement | employees are involved in selection of charities |
| Total number of charities supported last year | approximately 500 charitable and community organizations were supported last year |
| Some of the community organizations supported | Variety the Children's Charity, Royal Canadian Legion, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Salvation Army, Ducks Unlimited, Rotary Club, Terry Fox Foundation, and numerous local minor sports associations, local school sports teams, youth centres and seniors organizations, and more |
| Community highlight | West Fraser and its employees actively participate in many regional and local charitable initiatives, following the "give where we live" approach, with the primary focus of the company's charitable giving including enhancing community life, health and wellness, and education initiatives -- last year the company invested approximately $2.5 million in Canadian communities |
Recognized as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2025):
By Kristina Leung, Chantel Watkins, and Cypress Weston, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Jan 20, 2025)
Here are some of the reasons why West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. was selected as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2025):
- West Fraser manages a New and Young Worker Program to provide extensive training to employees under the age of 25 -- the program includes orientation, job-shadowing and dedicated training with a supervisor and the mill's safety resource
- West Fraser partners with the College of New Caledonia to offer apprenticeships for millwrights, electricians, heavy duty mechanics and saw filers -- the company pays for tuition and books while apprentices are in school and provides an additional living allowance, salary continuance and an interest-free loan to purchase tools -- once back at work, the apprentice is paired with a journeyperson mentor to continue their training
- West Fraser also recruits engineering co-op students for four-, eight- and 12-month placements -- students have the opportunity to work with mechanical and electrical equipment and to learn how to use various engineering software systems such as AutoCAD and SolidWorks
West Fraser employees collaborate at the mill
West Fraser employees collaborate at the mill
West Fraser employees collaborate at the mill
Highlights
| Industry | Sawmills |
| Major Canadian locations | Montréal QC, La Sarre QC, Chambord QC, Barwick ON, Toronto ON, High Prairie AB, High Level AB, Grand Prairie AB, Sundre AB, Rocky Mountain House AB, Edmonton AB, Whitecourt AB, Hinton AB, Slave Lake AB, Vancouver BC, Fraser Lake BC, Smithers BC, 100 Mile House BC, Williams Lake BC, Chetwynd BC, Quesnel BC |
| Full-time employees in Canada | 5,588 |
| Student opportunities | summer jobs, co-op opportunities, paid internships |
| In-house training programs | orientation program, in-house training, online training, in-house career planning services, online employee skills inventory, mentoring, leadership training, apprenticeship/skilled trades programs |
| Related tuition subsidies | employer covers up to 100% of tuition per year |
| Unique training and development opportunities | student programs in forestry, engineering, wood sciences, technology and finance, participates in the University of British Columbia's formal mentorship program for forestry students (with select students receiving a summer position at one of West Fraser's Canadian operations), internship program with support for students pursuing CPA designation |
| Additional highlights | offers scholarships including the Pete Ketcham Memorial Scholarship, bursaries for First Nations students, 12-week summer internships offered in partnership with Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement, associate certificate programs in industrial wood processing and business of sawmilling (developed in partnership with BCIT) |
| Vacation allowance | new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job |
The Career Directory
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. has been selected for The Career Directory, our guide to entry-level recruitment for recent college and university graduates.
Daniel, environmental health and safety supervisor at West Timber
Daniel, environmental health and safety supervisor at West Timber
Daniel, environmental health and safety supervisor at West Timber
Highlights for New Grads
| Industry | Sawmills |
| Full-time employees in Canada | 5,000 to 10,000 |
| Major Canadian locations | Montréal QC, La Sarre QC, Chambord QC, Barwick ON, Toronto ON, High Prairie AB, High Level AB, Grand Prairie AB, Sundre AB, Rocky Mountain House AB, Edmonton AB, Whitecourt AB, Hinton AB, Slave Lake AB, Vancouver BC, Fraser Lake BC, Smithers BC, 100 Mile House BC, Williams Lake BC, Chetwynd BC, Quesnel BC |
| Student opportunities | paid internships, summer jobs, co-op opportunities |
| Training | subsidies for professional accreditation, orientation program, online training, in-house training, mentoring, in-house career planning services, leadership training |
| Other info for new grads | Each year, West Fraser hires over 50 forestry students to work as part of the company's Woodlands group. The company also manages a New and Young Worker program to provide extensive training to mill employees under the age of 25. |
| Typical new grad positions | Sales Coordinator, Accounts Payable/Receivable, Assistant Forester, Project Engineer, Human Resources Coordinator, GIS Analyst, Administrative Assistant, Reliability Engineer, Engineering Technician/Technologist, Electrical/Instrumentation Tradesperson |
| Starting salary | $65K to $70K |
| Work benefits | health benefits for new employees, flexible work hours, telecommuting, transit subsidies |
| Vacation allowance | new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job |
Academic fields recruited
-
Bachelor of Commerce / Business Administration
- Accounting
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Information Systems
- Marketing
-
Bachelor of Engineering
- Chemical
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical
- Environmental
- Forestry
- Geological
- Industrial Chemistry
- Industrial Design
- Industrial Engineering
- Instrumentation
- Materials Science
- Mechanical
- Power / Hydro
- Production / Manufacturing
- Pulp & Paper
- Welding
-
Bachelor of Science
- Chemistry
- Environmental
- Forestry
- Geography
-
Community College Diploma
- Accounting
- Autocad
- Automotive Mechanic
- Business
- Computer Science
- Electronics Technician
- Engineering Technician
- Forestry
- Heavy Equipment
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
- Marketing / Sales
- Office Administration
- Other Trades
- Pulp & Paper
- Surveying / Geomatics
- Welding
-
Master of Arts
- Industrial Relations
-
Master of Business Administration
- Accounting
- Finance
- Human Resources
-
Master of Engineering
- Chemical
- Electrical
- Environmental
- Forestry
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical
- Pulp & Paper
-
Master of Science
- Forestry
-
Professional Accreditation
- Accounting (CA)
- Accounting (CGA)
- Accounting (CMA)
- Human Resources (CHRP, CEBS)
- Logistics (CITT, CIFFA)
- Microsoft Certifications
- Other Business / Technical/ Industry Certifications
- Professional Engineer
- Purchasing Management (PMAC, CPP)
Recruits at these schools
- British Columbia Institute of Technology
- College of New Caledonia
- Lakehead University
- Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
- Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
- Selkirk College
- Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
- Thompson Rivers University
- University of Alberta
- University of British Columbia
- University of New Brunswick
- University of Northern British Columbia
- University of Victoria
- Vancouver Island University