Like father, like son describes our featured #JDIGenerations family for March. Clayton and Jordan Keirstead from Sussex, New Brunswick both work at Irving Pulp and Paper. What makes this father and son duo even more special is they currently work in the same department together!

"As a parent having your son or daughter working with you is a great reason to be proud of them, Having him follow in my footsteps, taking the Mec Tech course means we enjoy really good jobs at Irving Pulp and Paper. We get to work side by side, for any parent this would be a proud moment, " said Clayton.

Clayton was in the first graduating class of the Mechanical Technician Program at NBCC more than 35 years ago. Fast forward to the summer of 2018, his son Jordan graduated from the same program, and followed in his father's footsteps as a Millwright at Irving Pulp and Paper. Jordan credits his dad for the inspiration behind his career path.

"I wasn't sure what I wanted to do after high school, so I decided to come to work with my dad for a day. I got to spend the whole day with him, touring around. I got to see what he did and the other guys did. I was able to see different aspects of the mill," said Jordan.

Jordan completed two work terms with the Pulp and Paper Division. Upon completion of his last work term in the spring of 2018, he was offered full-time employment at Irving Pulp and Paper before graduation.

Jordan's father Clayton, joined .D. Irving, Limited (JDI) over 35 years ago. He began with the Saint John Shipbuilding on the frigate program. Upon the completion of the frigate program he was given the opportunity to go back to NBCC to further his education. Clayton has now spent the last 14 years with Irving Pulp and Paper as a Millwright.

With 35 years experience, Clayton has lots of insight and advice to pass on to his son. For Jordan, safety was one of the most important pieces of advice his father has given him.

"Coming out of college you can only learn so much about safety, but when you actually get out into the mill and see all the moving equipment, my father helped a lot. "

After working together all week, you would think they would not want to spend their weekends together, but they do. They enjoy the same weekend hobbies - hunting, four wheeling and fishing.

From work to home, the Keirstead's are an unbreakable duo.

Over the next three years JDI forecasts hiring over 7500 full time employees - 700 in skilled trades like Jordan and Clayton.

We're hiring!

careers.jdirving.com