The purpose of the Jobs to Grow interview series is to present the journey and dedication to the forest industry of people who started out working in production at Resolute Forest Products and who have now become managers. These managers are proof that the opportunities for growth are enormous in the forest products industry.
Steve Germain
CM: Can you tell us about your responsibilities as a supervisor?
SG: I make sure that the employees work safely and are productive. In addition, I have to manage the production employees in my team at the St. Thomas sawmill and write reports to my supervisor so that he is aware of what is happening in my team. Of course, there are other responsibilities that come with these, but those are the priorities.
CM: Can you tell us about your career at Resolu, from production to your current position?
SG: Before joining Resolu, I was in the army. When I got out of the army, I applied for a job at Résolu because I thought it was a good company and I was hired at the La Doré plant in February 2018 as a day labourer at the decanter on the planing side. After that, I did different jobs such as the headbox and the stacker; in short, I did almost all the jobs in the planer except binder and MSR operator. Afterwards, with my previous training as an electrician and my technique in avionics, the company made me take an ACS to become an electrical technician so that I could continue to deepen my knowledge in this field. With the pandemic, the training was interrupted and I was offered a job as a planing supervisor at the Saint-Thomas sawmill, which I accepted. Then I finished my training and was offered to become a supervisor on the sawing side, so that's what I'm doing now. I don't really know where I'm going, but I do know that my progression at Resolu is not over. My progression has been fast and I've always made a point of thanking those who have helped me progress. You know, it takes two to climb a staircase; it takes willingness to climb on your own, but also someone to give you a "hand" up the stairs. I still don't know how far I'm going to climb my stairs, I let time and opportunity do the work.
CM: Why did you choose to live in Lac-Saint-Jean?
SG: I'm from here, but I've lived all over, including Montreal, Quebec City and Ontario. At a certain age, it's important to come back home. Here, there is no traffic, there is nature and there is peace. My job forces me to talk a lot, but once I'm home, in my business, I'm fine and very quiet. Indeed, Lac-Saint-Jean would be one of the most beautiful places in the world if it weren't for winter, but we're fine here!
CM: What is your connection with the forest?
SG: I am Amerindian, I come from Mashteuiatsh, so the forest is part of my roots. So I've always been close to the forest, I ride my motorbike there. I'm good in nature, I go there whenever I can.
CM: What would be the best advice to give to someone wanting to pursue a career in the forestry industry?
SG: It's passion that leads. These are beautiful jobs, but they are not easy jobs, you have to have the will and love the forest. In short, the best advice is to follow your passions.
Interview conducted by Charles Martel, intern at the Saint-Thomas sawmill of Résolu, as part of the Forest Products Association of Canada's Dream Internship program.
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