coming down the pipeline, it’s been tough to find qualified candidates, especially for intermediate and senior positions.” Tetra Tech’s recruitment process has run into an industry-wide issue: a mismatch between the available talent and the company’s specific needs. “We’re either getting applicants fresh out of school, or we have people with 20 or 30 years of experience who are nearing retirement,” he explains. The gap leaves the company searching for mid-career professionals who can step into roles with five to ten years of experience under their belts and hit the ground running. However, Duval notes that Tetra Tech isn’t simply waiting for the perfect candidate to walk through the door. Instead, the company has taken a proactive approach by investing in internal training and development.“We’ve developed areas where we can train people in-house to fill specific roles,” he says. This strategy leverages the breadth of Tetra Tech’s projects, creating opportunities for employees to learn on the job while still delivering for clients. “There’s enough scope and diversity in our work that we can train at the same time as we deliver,” Duval adds. Hiring from within, he points out, also brings an added benefit: employees who are trained internally are more likely to align with the company’s culture. “It’s fair to say that recruiting from within gives us more of that skilled know-how,” Duval remarks. He highlights that while bringing in people from other firms is possible, those individuals often come with their own way of doing things, which doesn’t always fit seamlessly with Tetra Tech’s collaborative environment. “We’re very fluid. We want everyone involved. We don’t dictate; we’re open to input from all sides.” NEW TERRITORIES AND MAJOR PROJECTS As Tetra Tech continues to ride the wave of postpandemic recovery, growth has become more than just a goal—it’s a tangible reality.“Since 2019, we’ve seen a definite uptick in growth,” Duval explains. “We’ve been developing more into rural-based markets and moving further north.” The result has been significant, with rural communities now becoming the company’s core area of focus. 46 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 11
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