Optimizing the local workforce in the heart of the oil sands region

July 14, 2025

Ever since the first oil sands operation opened in the 1960s, Fort McMurray has been at the heart of the industry. Even as new technologies and innovations have seen oil sands development spread across the Wood Buffalo region, Fort McMurray remains crucial.

That’s why industry has increased efforts to hire contractors and train new apprentices in the region.

“Work camps are inevitable given some operations are located too far away from any community for a daily commute,” says Steve Jardine, Stuart Olson’s director of operations for northern Alberta. “But the industry has stepped up its efforts to optimize our local workforce, particularly with contractors. By that, I mean they’ve looked at the available workers here in the region and are working to ‘localize’ positions so those contractors are living in town rather than camp.”

The industry has also worked with the municipality, Wood Buffalo Housing and Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development and Tourism to put together information packages for mature contractors who currently work in the region but live outside it.

Housing workers in camps is an added cost for companies, and there are long-term benefits for both the industry and communities in building up a strong skilled workforce in the region.

“When you are developing workers and trades, you are investing in the first two years for that person to learn the skills and training necessary so they are available to you in the future,” says Jardine, a native Cape Bretoner who moved to Fort McMurray in 2003. “If they are living in Wood Buffalo, they are more likely to secure work hours because they live in the region.”

The industry is also taking steps to secure future skilled workers in the region by working with the municipality, contract companies and trade unions to have local training offered.

“Fort McMurray can produce the best talent for what industry needs because there’s an ability to train people locally and provide the work for them to learn on the job,” he says. “Having the training locally will eliminate a big obstacle for people from communities who have to travel and find accommodation elsewhere. It will also allow industry to influence when training takes place to avoid conflicts with major events, such as turnarounds.”

There’s also an advantage to hiring contractors who grew up working in the area and around industry.

“When you have a consistent workforce that knows the rules and the landscape, that is a huge benefit,” he says. “The safety standards in the oil sands are significant and unique to this industry so having that familiarity is very important.”

Employees with families also appreciate the idea of having more opportunities for their children and grandchildren to enter the industry.