Interview with Wajax CEO Iggy Domaglaski: Navigating the Trades Industry and Job Market in Canada

In our latest podcast, we had an enlightening conversation with Iggy Domaglaski, the President and CEO of Wajax, about the current state of the skilled trades job market in Canada.

Founded in 1858, Wajax is one of Canada’s longest-standing and most diverse industrial products and services providers. With operations across various sectors, including construction, forestry, mining, and manufacturing, Wajax plays a crucial role in supplying the machinery, equipment, and expertise that drive Canada’s economy.

Iggy Domaglaski, a seasoned leader with extensive experience in the industrial sector, shared valuable insights into the high demand for skilled trades, competitive wages, labor shortages, and the expansion of vocational training programs. He also emphasized the importance of a people-centered work culture and how it can transform both the workplace and the community.

High Demand for Skilled Trades, Especially in Construction

Domaglaski emphasized the robust demand for skilled trades in Canada, particularly within the construction industry. The growth in infrastructure projects and residential construction is fueling this demand, creating numerous job opportunities across the country.

One of the highlights of our discussion was the competitive wages and benefits offered to workers at Ajax. Domaglaski say’s it’s all about the “total package” of compensation that a person receives. Companies are recognizing the value of skilled tradespeople and are offering attractive compensation packages to attract and retain talent. Domaglaski pointed out that, in addition to higher wages, many employers are providing comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off, being sustainable minded, making a difference. All of these variables are making jobs even more appealing to the next generation of skilled trades workers.

Labor Shortages Create Opportunities for Career Advancement

Labor shortages in the blue-collar sector are presenting unique opportunities for career advancement. Domaglaski highlighted that the shortage of skilled workers is not just a challenge but also a chance for rapid career progression. “For those entering the trades, the path to career advancement is clearer and quicker than ever before. This environment allows workers to move up the ranks more swiftly, taking on leadership roles and increasing their earning potential” he explained.

Expanding Vocational Training Programs to Meet Demand

To address the growing demand for skilled trades, vocational training programs are expanding across Canada. Domaglaski discussed how educational institutions and industry associations are collaborating to offer more training opportunities. “We’re seeing a significant increase in vocational programs tailored to meet the needs of the industry. These programs provide hands-on training and apprenticeships, ensuring that new workers are job-ready upon completion” he explained.

A People-Centered Work Culture

Domaglaski firmly believes that businesses can have a profound impact on their employees and, by extension, their communities. “Business can be the most powerful force for good in the world,” he said. “You think of other institutions, like church, which have got people for maybe two hours a week yet have a profound impact on people. Friends you have for a few hours a week, and of course family can have a great impact on you. But business has you as a captive audience for maybe 40 hours a week,” Domaglaski continued. “So we can send people home happy and fulfilled, with positive energy to take back to their families and communities. Or it can be the opposite, and send people home fearful, angry, resentful, scared and anxious.”

Since becoming CEO, Domaglaski has taken concrete steps to solidify a “people-first” culture at Wajax that will outlast his tenure. Under his leadership, Wajax has seen remarkable growth, with revenues increasing by about 30 percent over the last two years and profits booming by 60 percent.

Key Strategies for a People-Centered Culture

1. Defining Core Values: Domaglaski led a journey to define Wajax’s core values by gathering input from the front lines. “We determined it was about committing to the safety and wellbeing of people, building lasting relationships, and continuously improving,” he said. “Most of these values flow back to people.”

2. Setting a Focused Strategy: Domaglaski emphasized the power of a focused strategy aligned with core values. “It helps you say ‘no’ a lot, which is something CEOs should be doing a lot. It helps to have a compelling vision for what you want your company to be.”

3. Facilitating Relationships: For a service-oriented company like Wajax, customer relationships are paramount. “When people believe a company cares about them, they want to take care of customers better and they’ll go above and beyond,” Domaglaski said. “We hear stories about that every day here. It’s really having the desire to go above and beyond to help our customers, and showing our customers we care, too.”

Looking Ahead

As we wrapped up our interview, Iggy Domaglaski expressed optimism about the future of the blue-collar job market in Canada. He believes that continued investment in vocational training and a focus on improving working conditions will further strengthen the industry. “The future looks bright for skilled trades in Canada, and we’re committed to supporting this vital sector,” he concluded.

Stay tuned for more insightful interviews and discussions on The OGM podcast as we delve into the topics that impact our workforce and economy.