Trades and Operator FAQ

1. What are the qualifications required for apprenticeships?
2. What is the difference between Suncor’s Community Careers Co-operative, and its recruitment efforts
   
   for Trades & Technology students?
3. What qualifications do I need for trades positions in Alberta?
4. What types of trade positions are typically recruited? And what are the qualifications?
5. Does Suncor have a union?
6. What type of shifts are available in your operations?
7. How do I apply for jobs in construction or those where camp accommodation is provided?
8. Do you fly workers in and out?
9. Does Suncor provide on-the-job training?
10. What type of experience do I need to work for Suncor?
11. Does Suncor have any career opportunities that do not require a college education?
12. How do I learn what the pay for the job is before I apply?
13. Most of your jobs seem to be based in Fort McMurray. Do you have opportunities in other locations?
14. For those who work in Fort McMurray, what does Suncor offer in the way of housing?
15. Where do I find more information about living and working in Fort McMurray?

1. What are the qualifications required for apprenticeships?

Suncor offers two types of entry-level apprenticeships:

• Internal Apprenticeship Program: This program is available for internal Bargaining Unit Employees, who have been employed with Suncor for a minimum of six months. The entry-level internal apprenticeships are advertised on an annual basis.
• Community Careers Co-operative: Suncor also partners with the Community Careers Co-operative, which is a multi-stakeholder group in the Wood Buffalo Region responsible for programs assisting local students with school-to-work transition. Suncor strongly considers apprentices who have been accepted into these programs. For further information, please visit http://www.communitycareerscoop.org/

2. What is the difference between Suncor’s Community Careers Co-operative, and its recruitment efforts for Trades & Technology students?

The Community Careers Co-operative apprenticeship program is a collaboration between oil and gas industry members, to ensure apprentices gain varied experience across different companies and obtain their tickets. The program allows apprentices to rotate through different companies.

Recruitment that target Trades & Technology students is focused on roles such as power engineers, chemical technologists and petroleum engineering technologists, rather than trades apprentices.

Find out more about job opportunities for students and new grads in Trades & Technology

3. What qualifications do I need for trades positions in Alberta?

Many jobs at Suncor – especially trades – are regulated by the government. Trades require certification in the province where the job resides. As a result, Suncor can only consider applicants who have the proper certification.

• Qualifications for Alberta: If you have successfully completed your education at an accredited institute for a particular trade in Alberta, you are certified to work in Alberta. For further information on obtaining certification in a trade, please visit the Alberta government website.
• Qualifications for all other provinces: If you have completed your education in a trade outside of Alberta or in another country and would like to check your qualifications to ensure they meet certification specifications please visit the Alberta Learning Centre website.
• International transfers: You may wish to receive more information and additional sources on your credentials before applying for a job. The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials website has information on academic and occupational credentials for nearly 200 professions and trades. The centre does not grant equivalencies or assess credentials. Provincial assessment services assess academic credentials for a fee. The assessment will tell you how your education compares with educational standards in the province where you plan to work.

4. What types of trade positions are typically recruited? And what are the qualifications?

Minimum qualifications for trade positions may or may not be posted, however all positions require a high school diploma or GED and either Alberta or Interprovincial certification for the particular trade.

• Dual ticket Instrumentation Technician/Electrician: Applicants must hold a valid Alberta or Interprovincial Journeyman Instrumentation Technician certification as well as a valid Alberta or Interprovincial Journeyman Electrician certification.
• Electrician: Applicants must have valid Alberta or Interprovincial Journeyman Electrician certification.
• Heavy Equipment Operator: Applicants must possess a minimum of six months experience in the operation of heavy equipment such as haul trucks, graders, dozers and loaders. Consideration will also be given to those with other equipment related experience in an industrial environment and to those with extensive highway experience operating trucks with trailers or multiple trailers hauling long distance or in a city setting.
• Heavy Equipment Technician: Valid Alberta or Interprovincial Journeyman Heavy Equipment Technician certification is required.
• Instrumentation Technician: Valid Alberta or Interprovincial Journeyman Instrumentation Technician certification is required.
• Millwright: Valid Alberta or Interprovincial Journeyman Millwright certification is required.
• Plant Operator Extraction: Some form of process training (Petroleum Engineering Technology, Gas Field Operations, Power Engineering, etc.) or Part A of 4th Class Power Engineering certification.
• Plant Operator Upgrading: A minimum of a 4th Class Power Engineering certification is required.
• Plumber/Gasfitter: Valid Alberta or Interprovincial Journeyman Plumber/Gasfitter certification.
• Steamfitter/Pipefitter: Valid Alberta or Interprovincial Journeyman Steamfitter/Pipefitter certification is required.
• Warehouse Technician: A minimum of Level 1 certification in the Provincial Warehouse Technician Program is required.
• Welding: Valid Alberta or Interprovincial Journeyman Welding certification is required. Some areas of the plant also require a B Pressure certificate.

5. Does Suncor have a union?

Most of our hourly Suncor employees are unionized — it depends on the assigned role, business and location. Employees working in these positions are members of associations or unions and are subject to the terms of a collective agreement.

Most unionized jobs at Suncor are shift work. We offer various shifts depending on the role and the area. During the hiring process, a Suncor recruiter can provide specific information about the union.

6. What type of shifts are available in your operations?

Some of Suncor's operating areas function 24 hours a day all year long. Workers are needed to fulfill these schedules and shifts may vary depending on the area.

7. How do I apply for jobs in construction or those where camp accommodation is provided?

Most of the construction jobs are not Suncor positions and are not found on Suncor's career site. These jobs are primarily filled by Suncor contractors. To apply, you need to work through the contracting companies, some of which place their tradespeople through union halls.

8. Do you fly workers in and out?

Suncor has a fly in and out program which is only applicable to those employees and contractors traveling into the Wood Buffalo region, in cases where relocation is not possible. Workers living in the Fort McMurray area will be offered transportation to and from camp-based sites by bus.

9. Does Suncor provide on-the-job training?

Suncor is committed to ensuring employees can safely perform their jobs and are prepared for new assignments and opportunities as they arise. Employees are encouraged to take advantage of the many training opportunities at Suncor — from traditional courses and seminars to non-traditional methods such as coaching, working on cross-functional teams, special projects and through our guided self-learning website.

10. What type of experience do I need to work for Suncor?

Suncor is committed to hiring the right people who are aligned with our culture and values. Because requirements in the industry are constantly changing, essential training, education, work experience and skill requirements are evaluated on an ongoing basis.

We post all of our job opportunities on our website along with a job description, qualifications and the experience required.

11. Does Suncor have any career opportunities that do not require a college education?

Suncor offers some employment opportunities that do not require college or university diplomas and degrees. Educational and technical requirements are described in each job posting.

12. How do I learn what the pay for the job is before I apply?

Our compensation package is designed to "pay for performance," which means that Suncor provides a competitive base pay with the ability to earn significant rewards through programs such as annual and long-term incentives, performance bonuses and stock options. Employees who excel in their roles and demonstrate high potential are recognized as key contributors and have the opportunity for additional rewards.

Suncor ensures compensation is in line with other energy companies for all positions. There are salary ranges associated with different positions and new employees are paid within that range based on their skills and experience. Salary details are further discussed with you at the interview stage. Employees who work for Suncor, but under the terms of a union agreement, would be paid in accordance with the terms of the bargaining unit.

13. Most of your jobs seem to be based in Fort McMurray. Do you have opportunities in other locations?

Suncor's oil sands operations are in the Wood Buffalo region with many employees based in Fort McMurray. However, we also have opportunities in our corporate offices based in Calgary, as well as in our downstream operations in Ontario and Colorado.

To find jobs based on location, visit Current Suncor Jobs and select “Country”, “Province” and then “City” to choose your location search criteria.

14. For those who work in Fort McMurray, what does Suncor offer in the way of housing?

Base pay for employees working in Fort McMurray is adjusted to reflect local market conditions. In addition, people relocating to join our operations in Fort McMurray may be offered temporary housing and mortgage assistance.

15. Where do I find more information about living and working in Fort McMurray?

Fort McMurray is a great place to work as well as live. The community offers a wonderful family-oriented lifestyle for those who enjoy smaller communities and an active outdoor life. 

For Suncor job opportunities in the area, see our current job postings