The Materials Joining Innovation Centre, or MaJIC, in Kirkland Lake is a non-profit organization conceived out of Northern College’s School of Welding Engineering Program with a mandate to develop expertise and solve industry’s joining materials problems.
Officials from the school program that focuses on the science, engineering and technology behind welding developed the concept for the organization in 2001.
Since then MaJIC has secured both government and private funding to allow its staff of eight to utilize the latest technology, welding and laboratory equipment to meet the challenges of small to medium businesses.
To date, MaJIC has done research and development, conducted failure analysis, materials testing, quality inspection and training with industry across Northern Ontario and with companies like Makami Engineering Group in Sudbury and Wabi Iron and Steel Corp. in New Liskeard. Technology is ever evolving which means opportunities will only multiple in the years to come. While maintaining a philosophy aimed to help industry succeed, MaJIC intends to reach out to companies across Canada and the globe.
Flexible working hours/ health benefits
Standard work hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. but MaJIC offers its employees flexible working hours, recognizing family and other personal commitments in their lives.
“We have a flexible schedule, because we make up for the time later,” said office manager Jennifer Polson.
“So if an employee has to leave early to pick up their child, that’s OK with us.”
MaJIC also offers employees full health benefits.
Community involvement
MaJIC encourages its employees to give back to the community by offering company time and equipment for volunteer projects.
“MaJIC will sometimes donate time or equipment for projects, and employees are often allowed to use equipment outside of business hours for community projects,” said Polson.
Training, certification, college and university courses
MaJIC provides funding for employees to further their education and training whether it be certification or post-secondary courses.
“We always try to budget for professional development,” said Polson. “Encouraging staff to build their expertise and qualifications benefits not only the employees themselves but MaJIC too. Part of our mandate is to educate industry, so we need to be ahead of the game.”
Mentorship program
MaJIC senior staff members are encouraged to share their expertise within the organization’s mentorship program.
Junior employees, co-operative students and interns receive one-on-one mentorship in an open and unintimidating environment. Polson started as a marketing and development intern with MaJIC five years ago.
“I actually had the opportunity to work with two mentors,” said Polson. “Don Dekker, who was the CEO, with 50 years experience, his expertise was with running big projects. He knows the construction and mining industry very well; and the other was Jane Blackwell, who is one of the founders of MaJIC, has over 30 years of experience. With an MBA, her expertise lies with financials and business fundamentals. My job was to help kickstart the company, develop policies and procedures, build a database, set up financials. I was successfully able to set up MaJIC with two great mentors by my side.”
Environment of respect
Hard work doesn’t go unrecognized at MaJIC. While tokens of appreciation are always appreciated, MaJIC has also offered its employees the priceless gift of paid time off. MaJIC also organizes extra curricular activities to give employees the chance to socialize outside work hours.
“I think being a small organization, it’s important to get to know everyone on a somewhat personal level,” said Polson. “Because employees are exceptionally busy during work hours, this gives us a chance to regroup, find out what everyone’s been up to, and not talk about work. We also have dinners to make new employees feel welcomed or to say goodbye to those who are off to new opportunities.”
Staff maintain the organization’s same philosophy to help industry but also to help fellow co-workers. “Since we are a small organization, we’re all close-knit,” said Polson. “We all care about what other employees are going through so we help each other out.”
