When Giatec founders Pouria Ghods and Aali Alizadeh came to Canada from Iran in 2005 to pursue PhDs in science and engineering, they could never have imagined running a 150-person company.
Giatec was founded in 2010 by the two friends, who identified a significant gap in infrastructure and the concrete industry.
“There are three components and pillars that are part of our culture. The first is safety: you need to feel comfortable making mistakes so you can try new things,” says Ghods. “The second is sharing vulnerability. None of us always has the answers, but we have a culture where everyone feels comfortable sharing weaknesses and asking for help. That helps people be the best version of themselves. The third is purpose. It’s about working hard to make the planet a better place for the next generation. We want to reduce the carbon footprint of the concrete industry.”
What is your recruiting philosophy?
When Giatec started, its founders focused on hiring the best talent they could find. Today, the company’s leadership team is comprised of 50 per cent men and 50 per cent women. The team is also diverse, representing numerous cultural backgrounds and diversities of age and gender. In fact, the team is made up of staff from over 20 countries.
“Giatec has been recognized multiple times for its commitment to leadership in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices,” says Alizadeh. “By bringing diverse perspectives and backgrounds to the table, our team members are able to develop innovative products that are disrupting the concrete industry. We have developed new technologies that allow the industry to operate more safely, efficiently, and with a lower carbon footprint. The concrete industry is one of the world’s largest contributors to CO2 emissions.”
Job openings
Over the past 18 months, Giatec has added 50 new staff to its growing team. The focus is now on maintaining the strong culture with an expanded workforce.
Vacation and leave policy
Giatec offers 10 employer-paid statutory holidays each year, along with 15 vacation days for entry-level employees. All staff are also entitled to five paid life days per year which allows flexibility for employees to have paid time off to attend to a variety of life events and commitments (including child care, moving, study, etc.).
Benefits
The company provides a flexible benefits program, including spending accounts for health and wellness related expenses. The benefits were customized by the company to provide ultimate flexibility and meet the diverse needs of the team. In addition, the company provides an RRSP matching program.
Wellness initiatives
Giatec has a budget to recognize significant achievements with gift cards, flowers, lunches, and other benefits at the manager’s discretion. During monthly all-staff meetings, professional achievements such as promotions and role changes are highlighted.
Have fun!
The annual Giatec holiday party in December features dinner, dancing, and games. In the summer, the company hosts an annual backyard anniversary party with music and food trucks. There is also an annual family winter event for employees and their families, with activities such as skating or snow-tubing.
Company career page
