40 Hires in 12 Months: Scaling with Ironback Controls

How Cat & Mouse Recruitment helps Ironback Controls find specialized technical talent and supports the hiring process from sourcing through onboarding.

Finding qualified trades and technical professionals is challenging. Finding them for specialized FIFO positions, remote worksites, and opportunities across Canada and the United States adds another layer of complexity.

As Ironback Controls continued to grow, so did its need for experienced professionals across electrical, instrumentation, controls, automation, and operations.

Over the past 12 months, Zach at Cat & Mouse Recruitment has helped Ironback Controls make 40 successful hires—building a recruitment partnership that extends well beyond finding candidates.

The Challenge

Many Ironback Controls positions require specialized qualifications and industry experience. FIFO schedules, remote locations, and cross-border opportunities can narrow the available candidate pool even further.

Cat & Mouse Recruitment has supported searches for roles including:

• Journeyman Electricians

• Instrumentation Technicians

• Controls Specialists

• Operations Specialists

• I&E Field Data Technicians

• Power Engineers

The challenge isn't simply generating applicants. It's finding people with the right combination of technical expertise, relevant experience, availability, and fit for the realities of the position.

The Approach

Cat & Mouse Recruitment's role has evolved into becoming an extension of the Ironback Controls team.

Zach proactively sources and screens specialized candidates rather than relying solely on applicants responding to job advertisements. He works closely with the Ironback team to understand each hiring need and keeps candidates moving throughout the recruitment process.

As the partnership has grown, so has Zach's understanding of Ironback's operations, working environments, and expectations. That means each new search benefits from the knowledge gained through previous hires.

Beyond Candidate Sourcing

Cat & Mouse also provides support beyond finding the right candidate, including:

• Supporting the preparation and submission of offer letters

• Helping coordinate immigration requirements when needed

• Supporting recruitment for Canadian and U.S.-based opportunities

• Promoting vacancies through social media recruitment advertising

This continuity helps bridge the gap between recruitment, hiring, and onboarding.

The Results

In 12 months, Cat & Mouse Recruitment has helped Ironback Controls successfully hire 40 people across its operations.

More importantly, the relationship has developed into an ongoing recruitment partnership. As new hiring requirements arise, Ironback continues to engage Cat & Mouse, allowing each new search to build on an established understanding of the company and the talent it needs.

Zach understands our business and the people we need. He’s knowledgeable, responsive and easy to work with, and he stays closely connected with our team throughout the recruitment and hiring process.

More Than Filling Vacancies

After 40 successful hires in 12 months, Cat & Mouse Recruitment has become more than a source of candidates for Ironback Controls.

It's an ongoing partnership built on understanding the business, knowing the talent it needs, and providing recruitment support as the company grows.

Because successful recruitment isn't just about filling a vacancy. It's about helping clients build the teams they need to grow.