Opportunities for the Skilled Trades

Make Syncrude’s Project Orion your #1 choice. We’ll complete our 2017 Spring Maintenance Turnaround safely and effectively with the support of the Building Trades unions and professional skilled tradespeople like you.


For more than 50 years, Syncrude has been one of Canada’s most trusted, stable and reliable companies, and North America’s most respected oil sands operator. 

Project Orion is a Turnaround Event on one of Syncrude’s Cokers and other process units. Many craft personnel will be required to execute this project.

Pre-Turnaround work will commence Mid-Q1 for select trades; Feed-out is scheduled for late April.

Craft personnel supporting the Critical Path will be on 12-hour shifts; all other workforce will be on 10-hour shifts.

Accommodation will be provided at the Athabasca Lodge, which is located close to Syncrude’s Mildred Lake site. Coach transportation between the Lodge and the Syncrude worksite will be provided.

Travel assistance protocol will be available to secure specific craft.

Contractor Companies


Let’s Get Building! 

Ask your union hall about opportunities to work on Syncrude’s 2017 Spring Maintenance Turnaround with the following Building Trades contractors.

Your #1 Choice for Safety

When you join the Syncrude turnaround team, you’re part of our family.  That means your safety is our top priority.  We pursue safety and well-being as an integral part of Syncrude’s culture.  That’s why we use global best practices – a disciplined, systematic approach – to take us to our goal of zero injuries.
Pay & Benefits
Syncrude upholds all Alberta Building Trades Collective Agreements, which offer highly competitive wages for Skilled Trades in Canada.  
Travel & Accommodations

Travel & Accommodations

Lodging and food are hosted by Syncrude at Athabasca Lodge for the duration of your contract.  Coach transportation between the lodge and the Syncrude worksite is also complimentary.

The Athabasca Lodge offers:

  • Private rooms with semi-private washrooms
  • Regular housekeeping
  • Superior Chef-prepared meals
  • High-speed internet
  • Satellite TV
  • Laundry facilities
  • Fitness & recreation facilities
  • Outdoor activities
  • Convenience store
  • Parking with plug-ins
  • Licensed lounge
  • Alcohol is permitted on property

Travel to Fort McMurray and back to your home destination is your responsibility.  In some instances, the Travel Protocol will be reviewed if needed to secure specific craft.

The Syncrude Mildred Lake site is about 50 km north of Fort McMurray International Airport (YMM).

The site is also immediately adjacent to Highway 63, which is now twinned.

The Syncrude-affiliated Athabasca Lodge is conveniently located close to our work site.

Digital Turnaround Implementation Project (DTIP)

To further improve safety and efficiency, Syncrude will be undertaking a Digital Turnaround Implementation Project (DTIP) for the 2017 Orion Turnaround.

DTIP will see the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) badges and wireless technologies to enhance worker safety and improve efficiency during the Orion Turnaround. This initiative reinforces Syncrude’s commitment to the safety of everyone on site and our collective journey to achieving Nobody Gets Hurt.

All contractors and Syncrude personnel explicitly identified as supporting the Orion Turnaround will be required to wear an RFID badge as part of their mandatory PPE. Starting in March, and leading up to the commencement of the Orion Turnaround, contractors and Syncrude personnel will be receiving their RFID badges as part of the onboarding process with Syncrude. Contractors already on site will be identified and receive their RFID badge through contractor-specific DTIP project awareness sessions.

If you have questions, please speak to your supervisor or email DTIP@syncrude.com.

There’s lots to do when you’re off shift

Enjoy outdoor pursuits such as hiking, biking, kayaking, snowmobiling, quadding or ice fishing.  And, because your lodge is only 40 minutes from Fort McMurray, you can check out the city’s restaurants, pubs, ski area and MacDonald Island Park, the largest community recreation facility in Canada. Or catch an Oil Barons hockey game at the Casman Arena.

Working at Syncrude:  What your colleagues say

I’ve been coming to Syncrude since 1983 keep coming back because it is a leader in the industry, has a good work environment and good people working there.  Syncrude also has the best scaffolding.

Grant

Journeyman Boilermaker

Syncrude’s safety standards are better than other sites I’ve worked on and their operating systems for shutdowns are very effective — I like that.  Syncrude also has excellent relationships with the Building Trades unions and it values the quality craftsmanship that our members offer.

Mark

Journeyman Boilermaker

The people at Syncrude are welcoming, my job in the Turnaround Logistics group allows me to interact with many different folks, and the safety intervention program is great.

Holly

Labourer

I like that I work with people and not for people — at Syncrude, you’re a team member.  The atmosphere, the commitment to safety and the people make Syncrude a great place to work.

Anthony

Operating Engineer

Syncrude is recognized as a leader in the way it treats tradespeople, by offering a safe jobsite with good working conditions and accommodations.

warren Fraleigh

Executive Director, Building Trades of Alberta

Syncrude has been the single best customer for the Building Trades unions since I first worked on the initial construction of the Syncrude plant in the 1970s.

Robert Blakely

Canada’s Building Trades Unions

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