Change and chaos would be an apt description for the atmosphere at the Northern Centre for Advanced Technology (NORCAT). Employees tend to have the rumble of an entrepreneurial spirit in their bellies and a desire to collaborate with fellow risk takers.
The non-profit innovation centre is not only a top place to work in Northern Ontario but is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month. Started by two Cambrian College employees, NORCAT offered innovative startups space and expertise from the college campus until 2009 when it moved into its present location on Maley Drive, known as the Innovation Mill. They also have the NORCAT Underground Training Centre, a former Falconbridge mine in Onaping that now provides a real mine experience to gain practical skills.
The 70,000-square-foot innovation mill is where NORCAT provides training and development and customers have space to manufacture and test new ideas, and it doubles as an event centre. Originally targeting the mining and manufacturing industries, NORCAT now works with customers in health care, oil/gas and construction. The organization also recently expanded and opened a training centre in Timmins in November 2014, bringing the employee count to 45.
Dynamic work environment
NORCAT CEO, Don Duval, who took the lead in 2012, says NORCAT has gone through a transition since his arrival, with more than half of the staff moving on to other opportunities. “The environment of constant change is not for everyone, but those who thrive on chaos and risk-taking may feel right at home. We give people the autonomy to try new things,” he explained. “If they can answer the question, ‘If I give you one more dollar or one more hour what will you do with it?’ then off they go!”
What is particularly unique about the NORCAT work environment is that staff and customers work side by side, creating a dynamic community. The sense of something exciting happening greets all those who walk through the doors, and one thing that never changes at NORCAT is the underlying air of optimism.
Hailey Short, communications specialist for NORCAT, feels as though she is part of something that is making a lasting and meaningful impact. Short was born and raised in Sudbury, left to attend Carleton University for a degree in communications, and then returned as an intern at NORCAT in 2012. Once her internship was complete, she remained as the incubator’s communications specialist and is grateful to be part of a thriving organization.
“It is simply a fun place to work,” says Short. “Everyone here is willing to help each other despite the ambiguity, all to ensure that our customers succeed.”
Community involvement
When NORCAT staff take a break from work, they will often be found participating in the many community charities in Sudbury. The list is extensive: Dragon Boat Festival, Walk4Wellness Challenge, Relay for Life, and Operation Red Nose, just to name a few. In the summertime, they organize barbecues at the Maley Drive location for staff and tenants every few weeks. “About 100 people show up for the tenant barbecue,” said Duval. “We have bake sales and raise money for charity, plus we get a little music happening, too. We have a number of musicians in the organization and sometimes a little jam session will happen.”
One of a kind
It is not so much the money or benefits that motivate NORCAT employees, but it’s being part of a family that thrives on chaos, risk and ultimately success.
“One of the key things to mention that really separates good organizations from great organizations is leadership,” said Short. “The open-door policy of our leadership, the opportunity to provide feedback, and the hands-on approach to getting things done is inspiring and motivating to all staff throughout the organization.”
An employee engagement survey was conducted in 2014 in order to understand what was working and what wasn’t. “The overall feedback was very positive and the areas for improvement were embraced by the CEO and the rest of the leadership team,” said Short. “Having that workplace culture, coupled with meeting our customers’ expectations, creates a work environment that is truly one of a kind.”
