Valard Construction, a prominent Canadian utility contractor specializing in power line construction and infrastructure, has successfully leveraged Workable’s Applicant Tracking System (ATS) for nearly a decade to navigate its complex and dynamic talent acquisition landscape. This strategic partnership has enabled Valard to professionalize its hiring processes, efficiently manage a fluctuating workforce that can range from 1,100 to 2,000 employees based on project demand, and solidify its position as a leader in its sector, particularly as Canada anticipates significant growth and modernization of its electrical grid. The enduring collaboration underscores the critical role of advanced HR technology in supporting operational scalability and maintaining a strong employer brand in a highly competitive industry.
The Demands of a Dynamic Workforce in Canadian Infrastructure
Valard Construction operates within a sector characterized by ambitious, large-scale projects and a fluctuating demand for skilled labor. The nature of power line construction means that project timelines and scopes dictate workforce size, requiring the company to scale its hiring efforts rapidly and efficiently. This inherent dynamism presents unique challenges for talent acquisition teams, who must not only identify and attract highly specialized professionals but also onboard them swiftly while maintaining a consistent candidate experience. The Canadian utility infrastructure sector itself is currently undergoing a period of significant expansion and investment, driven by population growth, the transition to cleaner energy sources, and the need to upgrade aging grids. According to reports from Infrastructure Canada and industry analyses, billions are being allocated to energy infrastructure projects across the country, creating a persistent demand for skilled trades and engineering talent. For companies like Valard, effective recruitment is not merely an HR function but a strategic imperative that directly impacts project delivery, operational capacity, and ultimately, national infrastructure development.
The Pre-Workable Era: A Manual Maze of Spreadsheets and Emails
Before adopting Workable’s ATS approximately ten years ago, Valard’s recruitment processes were largely manual and decentralized. As Cory Nickerson, Talent Acquisition Specialist at Valard Construction, recounts, "Before that, hiring was done through spreadsheets and email. Workable came in as we began professionalizing the company and it’s been scaling with us ever since." This reliance on rudimentary tools, while common for many growing companies in earlier stages, presented a myriad of challenges. Tracking candidates through disparate email threads and manually updated spreadsheets led to inefficiencies, potential data loss, and an inconsistent candidate experience. Recruiters spent valuable time on administrative tasks rather than strategic sourcing and engagement. This manual maze inevitably slowed down the hiring cycle, increased the risk of overlooking qualified candidates, and made it difficult to generate meaningful recruitment analytics, hindering Valard’s ability to respond agilely to its fluctuating project-based workforce requirements. The move to an ATS was not just an upgrade in software; it marked a pivotal moment in Valard’s journey to professionalize its internal operations and align its HR capabilities with its ambitions for growth and market leadership.
A Decade of Strategic Partnership: Implementing Workable’s ATS
The decision to implement Workable’s ATS approximately a decade ago was a foundational step in Valard’s professionalization journey. At the time, the company recognized an urgent need for a scalable, user-friendly solution that could centralize candidate data, streamline communication, automate repetitive tasks, and provide a consistent framework for its growing recruitment team. The initial goals for adopting an ATS were clear: to move away from the chaotic manual systems, improve efficiency, and enhance the overall experience for both candidates and hiring managers. Workable’s platform was selected for its intuitive interface and its ability to adapt to Valard’s specific needs, which included managing a high volume of applications for diverse roles across various project sites. Over the past ten years, as Valard’s recruitment operations have grown, particularly with the addition of more in-house recruiters, the company has expanded its utilization of the platform, continuously unlocking new features and functionalities to optimize its hiring strategy. This long-term partnership highlights the importance of choosing a technology solution that can evolve with a company’s growth and changing demands, rather than becoming obsolete.
Streamlining Operations and Enhancing Candidate Experience
One of the most impactful transformations brought about by Workable has been the significant streamlining of Valard’s recruitment operations and a marked improvement in the candidate experience. A key feature making a lasting difference is Workable’s automated actions. These capabilities have virtually eliminated the need for manual follow-ups, ensuring that every applicant receives timely and appropriate communication throughout their journey. As Cory Nickerson emphasizes, "We all hear about candidates applying and never hearing back. We don’t have that issue with Workable. Even if someone isn’t selected, they still get a ‘thank you’ or ‘no thanks’ message, and that leaves a positive impression." This commitment to prompt communication is crucial in today’s competitive talent market, where a positive candidate experience can significantly bolster an employer’s reputation. Research consistently shows that a positive candidate experience not only increases the likelihood of accepting an offer but also fosters brand advocacy, even among unsuccessful applicants. A 2023 study by Talent Board found that 75% of candidates who rated their experience as "great" would refer others to the organization, regardless of whether they received an offer.
Beyond external communication, Workable’s automation has also been instrumental in keeping the internal hiring workflow on track. Hiring managers are automatically notified when it’s time for the next step in the process, such as reviewing applications or scheduling interviews. This systematic approach ensures that no candidate "drops the ball" and that every applicant moves smoothly through the recruitment pipeline. The result is a more aligned, organized, and consistent hiring team, operating without missing crucial steps. This level of internal coordination and efficiency is paramount for a company like Valard, which must manage high volumes of applications and frequently coordinate across multiple project sites and departments. The automation has led to a reduction in administrative overhead, allowing recruiters to focus on more strategic tasks like talent sourcing and relationship building, while simultaneously accelerating the time-to-hire for critical roles.
Rebuilding Employer Brand with a Modern Career Page
The strength of an employer’s brand plays a pivotal role in attracting top talent, particularly in specialized fields like utility construction where skilled professionals are in high demand. Before leveraging Workable’s Career Page Builder, Valard’s job site was described as "archaic" and difficult to navigate, failing to project the professionalism and scale of the company. This outdated digital presence likely deterred potential candidates, reflecting poorly on Valard’s overall image. The implementation of Workable’s Career Page Builder has dramatically transformed this aspect of their employer branding.
"Our old careers page looked archaic. With Workable, it’s clean, easy to use, and on par with our competitors. It’s made a real difference in how candidates perceive us," states Nickerson. The new career page provides a polished, modern experience that is intuitive for job seekers and effectively communicates Valard’s values, culture, and opportunities. This visual and functional upgrade has several critical implications:
- Enhanced Candidate Perception: A modern, professional career page immediately conveys a sense of competence and care, making Valard more appealing to prospective employees.
- Improved Talent Attraction: A well-designed career page serves as a primary touchpoint for candidates, showcasing available roles, company benefits, and what it’s like to work at Valard. This attracts a higher caliber of applicants who are more likely to align with the company’s mission.
- Competitive Edge: In an industry where talent is fiercely contested, having a career page that stands out among competitors is a significant advantage, helping Valard to secure the best candidates.
- Reinforced Professionalism: The career page now accurately reflects Valard’s status as a leading utility contractor, projecting an image consistent with its operational excellence.
Data from various HR tech reports consistently highlights the importance of an optimized career page. A LinkedIn study found that 75% of job seekers consider an employer’s brand before even applying for a job, and the career page is often a primary source for this information. By creating a visually appealing and user-friendly portal, Valard has not only improved its public image but also streamlined the initial application process, leading to a more engaged and higher-quality applicant pool.
Empowering Field Leaders: Simplicity in Complex Environments
The nature of Valard’s operations means that many of its hiring leaders are project-based and frequently in the field, often with limited time or access to complex systems. This unique operational context makes the ease of use of any HR technology paramount for widespread adoption and effectiveness. Workable’s simplicity has been a cornerstone of its success at Valard. "I’ve used a lot of ATS platforms. Workable stands out because it’s easy for hiring leaders to navigate. It keeps them focused on reviewing candidates, not lost in a confusing system," Nickerson notes.
The platform’s intuitive design ensures that even non-recruiters can engage confidently in the hiring process. Customizable pipelines allow hiring managers to visualize and manage their candidates effectively, tailored to specific project needs. Automated email notifications keep them informed of progress and required actions without needing to constantly log into the system. This balance of robust functionality with user-friendliness has been critical for fostering collaboration across Valard’s diverse teams. It empowers project managers and team leads to actively participate in candidate evaluations and feedback, ensuring that the right talent is selected for each specific project while minimizing disruption to their primary operational duties. By reducing the learning curve and making the system accessible, Workable has democratized the hiring process within Valard, promoting a more integrated and efficient approach to talent acquisition across the entire organization.
Innovating for the Future: Expanding Efficiency Through AI and Digital Offers
Valard is not resting on its laurels but is actively exploring and leveraging Workable’s newer features to drive even greater efficiency, particularly in the realms of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Offer Management. The integration of AI into talent acquisition is transforming how companies identify, engage, and hire candidates, offering capabilities such as intelligent candidate matching, automated screening, and predictive analytics. While the specific AI features Valard is utilizing are not detailed, the general trend indicates a move towards optimizing initial candidate review and accelerating the matching process. This allows recruiters to focus on qualitative assessments and candidate engagement rather than sifting through vast numbers of applications manually.
Furthermore, Valard is currently testing Workable’s Offer functionality. This digital approach to offer management modernizes a crucial stage of the hiring process. Nickerson highlights its advantages: "We’re testing the offer functionality now—it’s user-friendly, secure, and fits how we want to present ourselves: modern, tech-savvy, and professional." Digitizing the offer process brings several benefits:
- Efficiency: Streamlines the creation, sending, and tracking of offer letters, reducing manual errors and accelerating acceptance rates.
- Security: Ensures confidential offer details are transmitted securely, reducing risks associated with traditional paper-based or email methods.
- Professionalism: Presents a cohesive, branded, and modern image to prospective hires, reinforcing the positive impression established during earlier stages.
- Candidate Experience: Provides a seamless and convenient experience for candidates, allowing them to review and accept offers digitally, often from any device.
As the hiring landscape becomes increasingly digital, leveraging such features positions Valard at the forefront of modern talent acquisition practices, showcasing their commitment to innovation and efficiency. These advancements are critical for maintaining a competitive edge in attracting top talent, particularly for high-demand technical and skilled trade roles where speed and professionalism are key differentiators.
The Backbone of Success: Responsive Support and Trusted Partnership
The longevity and success of Valard’s partnership with Workable extend beyond just the software’s features; it is deeply rooted in the quality of customer support and the responsiveness of the Workable team. A dedicated account manager, Nick, has been instrumental in providing proactive guidance and addressing Valard’s evolving needs. "Anytime we’ve had a question or issue, Nick’s been incredibly responsive. He’s even escalated product suggestions to the development team for future updates," Cory Nickerson states.
This level of responsive and personalized support is crucial for any organization, especially one with dynamic and complex hiring requirements like Valard. It transforms a vendor-client relationship into a true partnership, where the ATS provider actively contributes to the client’s success. The willingness of Workable to listen to feedback and even integrate product suggestions into future updates demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement that directly benefits its users. This collaborative approach ensures that Valard can continuously evolve its use of Workable, adapting the platform to match new business needs and capitalize on growth opportunities. In an era where technological solutions are increasingly complex, reliable and proactive customer support is often the deciding factor in the long-term viability and satisfaction with a software platform.
Outlook: Scaling for Canada’s Infrastructure Future
Looking ahead, Valard Construction is poised for significant project-driven growth, propelled by the rapid expansion and modernization of Canada’s electrical infrastructure. This growth trajectory underscores the continued strategic importance of an agile and robust talent acquisition system. After a decade-long partnership, Valard’s leadership expresses strong confidence in Workable’s ability to not only endure but also to adapt to future challenges that accompany such substantial expansion. "We’re in growth mode, and Workable is key to supporting that. It lets us scale up or down seamlessly depending on project load, and do it professionally," confirms Cory Nickerson.
The ability to scale recruitment efforts up or down with project demand is a critical operational advantage for Valard. This flexibility, combined with the professionalism and efficiency that Workable enables, positions the company strongly to capitalize on upcoming opportunities in the Canadian utility sector. As the demand for skilled labor in power line construction intensifies, Valard’s refined and automated hiring processes will be a significant differentiator, allowing them to attract and secure the necessary talent faster and more effectively than competitors. This strategic investment in HR technology is not just about filling roles; it’s about building a sustainable talent pipeline that can support Canada’s vital infrastructure development for decades to come, ensuring energy security and economic prosperity. The journey of Valard Construction with Workable serves as a compelling case study for how innovative HR technology, combined with a strong partnership, can empower organizations to navigate complex growth phases and maintain leadership in their respective industries.
