Drive to Innovate
The best employers attract the region's top talent
2025 Winners
Meet the 2025 winners of the Hamilton-Niagara's Top Employers competition. Click on any employer name below to discover our editors' detailed Reasons for Selection.
Employees at Airbus Helicopters Canada in Fort Erie receive generous financial benefits, including year-end bonuses for all.
Drive to Innovate
The best employers attract the region's top talent
Hamilton-Niagara's Top Employers (2025) know what it takes to attract the very best talent. That's why the winners are showing their commitment to professional development, learning and upskilling for their employees. What's really interesting is how approximately half of this year's employers provide tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to an individual's current role.
That's just catnip to Gen Z (born after 1997) who prioritize continuous learning and career growth opportunities. Current research from The University of Waterloo's Work-Learn Institute suggests that Gen Z values organizational support for training and development, so that's a great way for employers to connect with the younger generation's work values.
Melissa Trzok, director, human resources at L3HARRIS Technologies, Inc. in Dundas, says learning and development is fundamental to the company's culture and the strength of its workforce, so it provides as many resources as possible to further employees' growth and career advancement.
The company offers formal tuition assistance for employees to pursue degree programs through approved accredited institutions, including opportunities to pursue a certificate, bachelor's, master's, MBA or PhD that is aligned to an employee's prospective career path, as well as unlimited access to other learning resources. That encompasses a Learning Management System with courses from Microsoft Office to Yellow Belt Training, as well as other options for online and in-person classes focused on leadership development. Coding, marketing, presentation skills and even yoga are popular choices.
"By nurturing talent and encouraging innovation, we create a workforce that is adaptable, engaged and well-equipped to drive our company's success," says Trzok. "Employees are motivated and enthusiastically take advantage of these offerings – feedback has been great!"
Adam Mataya, director, human resources, environment health & safety at Airbus Helicopters Canada Limited in Fort Erie, says the company has its own leadership university that provides a range of programs from self-study to executive leadership. Additionally, it partners with local institutions, such as colleges, universities and aerospace associations, for specific hands-on training and offers financial reimbursement towards courses that help employees achieve their career goals.
"By investing in the professional development of our workforce, Airbus Helicopters Canada ensures that its employees are engaged, motivated and aligned with both personal and organizational goals," says Mataya. "We believe that by providing continuous learning and career development, we're attracting and retaining the best talent while positioning the company for success."
– Diane Jermyn
The story appeared in the official magazine announcing Hamilton-Niagara's Top Employers (2025), published January 16, 2025, online in the Hamilton Spectator and on Eluta.ca.
Methodology
Any employer with its head office or principal place of business in the Hamilton-Niagara area of Ontario may apply for Hamilton-Niagara's Top Employers.
In addition to its history as an important industrial hub, the Hamilton-Niagara region's increasingly diversified economy makes it one of the country's fastest growing areas for tech talent. Home to employers specializing in manufacturing, post-secondary education, creative industries, and a robust life sciences sector, the diverse workforce in the Hamilton-Niagara area is brimming with the skills and knowledge required to continue the rapid acceleration of the region.
To determine competition winners, employers are compared to organizations in similar industries and of similar size. Employers are evaluated on eight selection criteria, which are: (1) Workplace; (2) Work Atmosphere & Social; (3) Health, Financial & Family Benefits; (4) Vacation & Time Off; (5) Employee Communications; (6) Performance Management; (7) Training & Skills Development; and (8) Community Involvement.
While the underlying criteria have remained consistent since the project's inception, areas of review have expanded and evolved with the advent of new programs and policies. Examples include workplace safety, hybrid and remote work options, and health and wellness.
Now in its 18th year, the competition is a catalogue of best practices, representing some of the most progressive and forward-thinking employers in the region.
– Sonja Verpoort
An employee at Stryker Canada ULC employee works from an ergonomic workstation at the company's head office in Waterdown.
Apply
If you are an exceptional employer with progressive HR programs and policies, consider applying for next year's edition of Hamilton-Niagara's Top Employers. Now entering its 19th year, our project is the nation's longest-running editorial competition. Applications for 2026 open in February. Join our mailing list for more info.
