Featured Employers
CAES works with the Calgary business community to increase their capacity for workplace diversity and inclusion
Since 1998 CAES has partnered with inclusive employers in Calgary to help fill their personnel and labour needs. Dozens of Calgary businesses rely on CAES each year and we are deeply committed to our business partnerships.
Our below Featured Employers are local companies that have championed diversity in their organizations. We’re proud to recognize their ongoing contributions to creating inclusive workplaces in the Calgary business community.
Employer Success Stories
GoodLife Fitness
CAES is proud to be in partnership with GoodLife Fitness and are champions of inclusive hiring practices. They have supported our candidate excel in his new role and gave him a new sense o independence and freedom. GoodLife has been globally recognized for their commitment to fostering inclusive and diverse workplaces. Their initiatives reflect real dedication to creating a inclusive environment for both employees and members. Thank you, GoodLife leaders for all that you do!
Seed N Salt
Brittany Low - Regional Manager
Seed N Salt has provided a wonderful opportunity for one of our CAES candidate in obtaining a dream job position in a restaurant and catering business. Brittany is a champion of inclusive hiring and made the entire hiring process both informative and straightforward. From the beginning, Seed N Salt’s mission and values has been about building a lifestyle of community and kindness in both their team, clients and customers. We believe this is the central reason behind their expanded success.
London Drugs
Jayme Mackow-Bechard, Manager - Airdrie Location
London Drugs has provided CAES with a wonderful opportunity to support our canadidates in obtaining work in a number of locations through our CANWIN Partnership. Jayme has shown an incredible sense of understanding and patience with our candidates through the interview process. Additionally, Jayme spent a substantial amount of time learning to understand the needs and accommodations to ensure a smooth and successful transition. Jayme is a wonderful reminder of the benefits of strong leadership in any organization.
World Gym
Jasmine Bazalka, Manager - Sunridge Location
World Gym is an internationally known fitness brand with three Calgary locations. Founded in 1976 by Joe Gold in Venice Beach California. World Gym serves athletes of all skill and ability levels all over the world. Calgary World Gym Regional Manager Jasmine Bazalka cited inclusive hiring as an important goal in World Gym’s Strategy going forward. To that end, World Gym has partnered with CAES to fill several vacant positions in their Sunridge location. CAES candidates get valuable on-the-job training while working. Additionally, complimentary gym memberships as a bonus.
Kings Fitness / Fifth Avenue Club
Leo & Charlotte King, Owners
Leo and Charlotte King can cite many accomplishments in the athletic world. They are decorated athletes in the sports of powerlifting and bodybuilding, as well as owners/operators of two successful gyms in Calgary. The first, Kings Fitness, is centrally located in Calgary and open to members 24 hours a day. Kings Fitness is an ideal place to work out whether you’re training for a powerlifting meet or just looking to get back in better shape. Fifth Avenue Club, a more recent addition is located right downtown in the +15 downtown area. It boasts a squash court, martial arts training dojo, full weights and cardio areas, and laundry service for its members.
Kings Fitness and Fifth Avenue Club are strong advocates of diverse and inclusive hiring. Their mandate is to reflect the community they serve in their hiring practices. Both locations have hired CAES candidates, both with powerlifting experience.
Booster Juice
Calgary Downtown location
One of our candidates recently got a job with Booster Juice in Calgary, downtown. Jewel, the owner reached out to us directly and scheduled an interview very quickly. CAES attended the interview with our candidate and they decided to hire them the same day as part of their diversity and inclusive hiring. Booster Juice’s manager, Jhona, was with our candidate on their first day and ensured that they with be with them every step of the way. Our candidate has felt very supported in their small team environment and has found a lot of success in his very first job with Booster Juice!
Cheers to diverse and inclusive hiring!
Multiwood
Entire leadership team
Multiwood has been an established pillar of the Calgary community since 1985. In recent years they have hired two candidates, who continue to thrive there to this day.
The company’s value of accommodation and positive workplace culture has enabled these candidates to be very happy as part of this community. The leadership shows an exceptional level of accommodation and understanding for the various challenges that individuals with disabilities have.
This stood out to the CAES staff supporting the 2 individuals working there. The leadership team already had plans in place to overcome any barriers that came up.
We remain ever grateful for the support and commitment that this workplace contributes to our community. Multiwood and the leadership efforts towards foster inclusivity and a diverse perspective in hiring remains a shining example to the community at large.
The Calgary Public Library
Shawnessy Branch
Our first candidate placement with the Calgary Public Library began in June of 2021, thanks to a collaboration with Inclusion Alberta.
To date, we now work with several individuals who are happy and thriving at their positions in various locations of The Calgary Public Library. Throughout our relationship shared with them, community access and inclusion has been a forefront of their values, and you can really feel that within their workplace culture.
What stood out for me, as a Career Professional is that there was absolutely no hesitation in being flexible and accommodating in their approach and delivery of information during the on-boarding process. Focusing instead on our candidates’ individual strengths and values, instilling and building confidence in our candidates’ employment skills.
We are grateful for their time and support, and value their approach towards on-boarding and supporting their employees through the lens of diversity and inclusion.
The Calgary Public Library
Anu, Supervisor - Nose Hill Branch
Brandon started his dream job working at the Nose Hill Library in August, 2022 as a Library Experience Assistant (LEA). Since being hired, he has been working closely with Anu, who has been showing him the ins and outs of the library.
CAES has been so impressed with the staff at the Nose Hill location as they have all been so welcoming and jump at the chance to answer any questions Brandon may have. With his training coming to an end, Brandon couldn’t be happier and makes a great addition to the team!
Anu: “I am really happy with his progress and he’s fitting into the team so well. He’s pleasant, reliable and is doing well with all the tasks”
Jubilations Dinner Theatre
Jubilations has conducted and acted upon barrier-free accessibility audits to remove barriers and ensure that every person who wants to participate as an actor, production team member, theatre volunteer, or audience member is able to do that in the least restrictive environment possible. In addition, their staff have participated in disability awareness training that works towards dismantling barriers, biases and myths that create barriers for individuals with disabilities.
They believe that their most valuable asset in their pursuit of excellence is their staff, and that acknowledging and embracing differences in identity is essential to a dynamic cultural conversation. Their shows, programs, and business practices strive to promote an environment where diverse individuals are included and treated fairly and respectfully, have equitable access to opportunities and resources, are supported to grow, thrive, and do their best work.
Over the past decade CASS has worked closely with Jubilations to explore how we can continue to bring inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible hiring practices not only onstage, but backstage as well. Throughout this time period, Jubilations has hired, trained and retained several of CAES job seekers.
DIRTT
DIRTT has always persisted to be an inclusive employer. They commit to ensure that all employees with disabilities and their support networks are given clear and concise communication to ensure success in their employment with the company.
DIRTT doesn’t just talk about inclusion, they live inclusion and this has been clear to the CAES staff that support employees in the company. DIRRT has committed to ensure accommodations and job duties and tasks are achievable and doable.
Decibel Cannabis
Ratika Gauba, People & Culture Coordinator
We follow our “Actions to Live By”. We Grind (persistence and resourcefulness), We Craft (taking care in every detail) and We Care (inclusive and passionate about our business).
Winners
Juan Pablo Cruz, Store Manager
“Inclusive employment benefits everyone in the organization, it promotes our values such as Diversity, it also makes our workplace a place where inclusion is a huge part of our success.”
Iron Mountain Secure Shred
Nikki King, Plant Manager
“The hiring and on-boarding process went perfectly, I wish that it could go like this with all new hires. [CAES Candidate] Devon is a wonderful addition to our team and has exceeded our expectations in every way imaginable!”
Toombs Inc.
Karen Berg, Director of Administrative Operations
“The entire world is built on diversity. Being part of an inclusive work environment is important to me personally, and to our employees, management, and our clients. Toombs Inc. serves a diverse population in provision of our personalized career transition services. To truly be connected with our clients in a helping way and to be the community of practitioners we aspire to be, it is a natural fit for us to do so with diversity on our team. CAES have been very helpful to me and to Michelle as their client. Michelle has readily become part of our company fabric, and everyone enjoys working with her. We all anticipate her smiling face in our workplace!”
RE:GRUB Burger Bar
Jose Azares, Owner
RE:GRUB, is a dedicated inclusive employer who is championing workplace diversity not only through his direct hiring practices, but also through his creation of initiatives such as the “Made 21” hiring initiative. CAES Candidate Alex is a dedicated and enthusiastic RE:GRUB team member and we look forward to watching this local business continue to thrive.
FanAttic
Gerry Chadwick, Manager
“[CAES Candidate] Kelsey has been one of the most passionate and hard-working employees I’ve ever had.”
Gerry Chadwick is an exceptional example of supportive leadership and has excelled in creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. He has encouraged this priority throughout his team, and has fostered an environment where mentorship and natural supports are encouraged.
Executive Royal Hotel
Linda Merkley, Manager
“It’s awesome working with CAES! If I ever have any issues, I can call CAES staff and they can help me address it. [CAES Candidate] Theresa is always happy and willing to help out. Everyone gets along with Theresa! She has great work ethic and starts working and helping out the minute she walks in the door.”
Our Candidates have a 72% higher staff retention rate and are ready to contribute to the success of your organization today! To learn more about the many ways increasing your employee diversity can benefit your business.