It’s with immense pride that we announce that Keirton has been named one of Canada’s Top Small & Medium Employers for 2021 – an annual award that’s managed by the Globe and Mail. Each year, the award is presented to the small and medium enterprises in Canada that are home to some of the country’s best workplaces, with innovative programs in place that attract and retain top talent. Earning this accolade today wouldn’t have been possible without the time, effort, and dedication of every single person on our team. Thank you for helping us evolve Keirton into the amazing workplace it is today – a huge congratulations to all!
We’ve come a long way since our early days. Keirton’s first office space 10 years ago was a simple portable unit next to the Fraser River in B.C, which came with its own share of obstacles. We were a lean team then – overcoming floods, and other challenges that come with being a new business, really instilled in us the value of teamwork, especially in those early days. Those humble beginnings really set the foundation for what Keirton’s company culture has materialized into today, and the way that we approach our work.
The last year threw us all a curveball. But, unsurprisingly, our team has managed to emerge just as productive, engaged, and driven. We’ve never been a team that shies away from adversity, and this is a quality that’s been crucial to our success in an emerging and ever-evolving industry. Instead, we’ve banded together and relied on each others’ bright ideas and ability to problem solve, and have continued to reach for that hypothetical ‘higher ground’. It’s in our DNA and, without a doubt, one of the reasons why Keirton has been recognized as a top employer today.
Our duty to our employees is to make sure they have access to the resources and support they need to continue doing great, meaningful work. Our ‘Journey to Success’ program, created to encourage our employees to practice goal-setting, has empowered them to be the drivers of their careers at Keirton. The training budgets we’ve set aside for our team’s professional development has also given many of our employees the opportunity to expand their capabilities in certain areas – be it engineering, leadership, or otherwise – or to explore new skills altogether.
With issues of mental health and wellness top-of-mind, we’ve also committed to creating a mentally healthy workplace and workforce with the support and guidance of the Canadian Mental Health Association’s ‘Not Myself Today’ program. Our people are at the heart of Keirton’s success, and as an employer, we have the important responsibility of reducing the stigma that’s attached to mental health, and fostering a safe and supportive work environment.
And with that, our work continues. Canada’s cannabis sector is expected to reach $4 billion in 2021, and the demand for technology innovation in the industry continues to be strong. With the events of the last year – mass transitions to remote work and strict social distancing guidelines – technology has never been more critical to the cannabis industry. Fortunately for Keirton, we’ve always operated at the intersection of technology and cannabis, and have an incredible team of highly-skilled engineers and technicians that are spearheading this innovation. Long before the pandemic, we always considered technology’s role in the industry – and we’re committed to continue pushing the needle forward. We’ve since invested in artificial intelligence and machine-learning technology to transform global cannabis production and cultivation, and to address the industry’s major pain points: quality, consistency, and safety.
As we look ahead to Keirton’s continued global expansion, I couldn’t be more proud of our team and the places they’ll take us.
Thank you for being part of our journey and for making Keirton the people-first workplace that we’re excited to show up to every day. No doubt, there’ll be more on this to come.
Sincerely,
Jay Evans