'We want to keep our long-time clients, and we also want to be gaining new clients,' says president and owner
Touchback Safety, a family-owned and operated training provider based in Edmonton, has evolved significantly over the years, responding to changes in the industry while staying true to its core values of quality and consistent safety training. Founded in 1999, the company remains committed to providing workers with the knowledge and skills they need to work safely and return home to their families at the end of each day.
Adapting to a competitive industry
As president and owner Connie Scolamiero explained, Touchback Safety has witnessed substantial changes in the safety training sector. "When I first started, we were one of the few independent training providers who developed their own training programs," she said. But with safety training becoming its own industry, the company has had to compete with a growing number of providers. “We really had to focus on marketing and advertising, being very competitive with other training providers. We want to keep our long-time clients, and we also want to be gaining new clients," Scolamiero noted.
Training manager Rodney Paquette, who joined the company as a trainer over a decade ago, described the evolving nature of equipment training. "In the early 90s, training was very basic," he recalled. "Today, it’s more specific to the equipment... more tailored towards the application, towards that specific machine, as opposed to a general, broad range of a bunch of different equipment," he added.
Honoring a legacy of safety
Touchback Safety’s dedication to quality training is rooted in the vision of Denise, a pioneering figure in safety training and a foundational influence on the company. Scolamiero emphasized that Denise recognized the critical importance of proper operator safety training long before it became a standard industry practice. "People laughed at her... but she did it, and it's become a thing," Scolamiero reflected. To this day, Touchback Safety honors her legacy by maintaining a strong focus on worker safety. "We are there to make sure that they’re getting home at the end of the day to their families," Scolamiero explained. The company’s motto, "First in industry, first in class," underscores this commitment.
Training for today’s workforce
Touchback Safety’s courses are designed to be specific, practical, and directly applicable to the equipment that workers use. Paquette noted the shift from generic courses to training that is now "more to the classification of forklift and more specific to the machine." Looking ahead, he anticipates even greater specialization, with training becoming increasingly aligned with specific equipment types and manufacturers. "There’s just so many... manufacturers of equipment, right? And they all operate differently, so having that more hands-on with that specific equipment is going to be helpful," he said.
Looking ahead
As Touchback Safety moves into the future, it remains dedicated to its mission of providing high-quality, consistent training. "It’s kind of our same goal that we set out in 1999," Scolamiero said. With a focus on maintaining long-standing client relationships while also attracting new clients, the company is well-positioned to continue its legacy of excellence in safety training.
