The University College of the North (UCN) has been named one of the top 25 places to work in Manitoba and a top 100 employer in Canada. The recognition was part of Manitoba's Top Employers competition, an annual event organized by the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers.
UCN President and Vice-Chancellor, Doug Lauvstad, expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, "We are incredibly honored to be recognized as one of the top employers in Manitoba. At UCN, we prioritize our employees' well-being, growth, and success, and this acknowledgment reinforces that. I want to congratulate everyone at UCN who makes it a great place to work and grow."
UCN excelled in each of the eight criteria evaluated in Manitoba's Top Employers competition. These criteria included Workplace, Work Atmosphere & Social, Health, Financial & Family Benefits, Vacation & Time Off, Employee Communications, Performance Management, Training & Skills Development, and Community Involvement. The editors publish detailed 'reasons for selection' for these criteria, providing transparency in selecting winners and a catalog of best practices for employers and job-seekers.
Deanna Kondakor, UCN Director of Human Resources, was also thrilled about the designation, saying, "I'm very excited that we've been named one of Manitoba's Top Employers. It's a testament to our commitment to creating a great workplace. I know this is a great place to work. It’s fantastic to be recognized from the outside. The work is not finished. We’ll continue to build on this achievement."
UCN's success was due to its focus on creating a positive work environment for its employees. The college's commitment to its employees' well-being was reflected in its work atmosphere and social initiatives, which included regular staff events, opportunities for professional development, and a supportive workplace culture. UCN also offered its employees a wide range of benefits, including health and dental insurance, paid time off, and retirement savings plans.
UCN's commitment to community involvement was another factor in its success. The college actively encouraged its employees to volunteer and give back to the community, providing opportunities to do so through its Community Involvement program.
The full list of Manitoba's Top Employers (2024) was announced in a special magazine co-published with the Winnipeg Free Press. Detailed 'reasons for selection' for each of this year's winners, as well as stories and photos about their initiatives, were released by the editors on the competition homepage.
The Manitoba's Top Employers competition is organized annually by the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers. Founded in 1992, Mediacorp Canada Inc. is the nation's largest publisher of employment periodicals. Since 1999, the Toronto-based publisher has managed Canada's Top 100 Employers project, which includes 18 regional and special-interest editorial competitions that reach millions of Canadians annually through a variety of magazine and newspaper partners. Mediacorp also operates Eluta.ca, one of Canada's largest job search engines, which reaches over two million job-seekers annually and features exclusive editorial reviews from Canada's Top 100 Employers project.
UCN's recognition as one of Manitoba's top employers is a testament to the college's commitment to creating a positive and supportive work environment for its employees. The college's focus on employee well-being and community involvement helped it stand out among other potential winners, earning it a well-deserved spot on the list of Manitoba's top employers.
~Matthias J. Johnson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Thompson Citizen. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
