traffic controller

lane technician

skilled laborer

technician

landscape technician

The Universal Group

Valley has a long wait-list of employees looking for work, and a short list of seniors who are overworked. A typical day at work involved an address to a new job site, a start time, and no further info.  From there we would go out to the job site, seek a foreman/supervisor who could share with us what the plan for the day is. Our coworkers all know the job and tasks, and rarely is there conflict. Occasionally the supervisors would have power battles, and some politics arise when in a union seniority list type job.   There is no available Lane tech positions to move up in, and you have to stick it out with the company for 3-5 years to earn full time employment. This year is one of the slowest in a few years due to the oil bucket prices. This position is very hard to progress in, there's no room for growth within the company.   There was never a bonus structure, or reward for good work practice because your coworkers are usually new every job site. Occasionally you will get the same coworkers, and learn to use them as your alliance, to keep a networked community within the company. This position is on call as well so full availability is a must, driving all over the Fraser Valley is a must, and working night shift, or long hours is also a must.  There were no bathroom breaks most days, no lunch or snack breaks. Everyday we are on the road even when the crew takes lunch. The job is very emotionally strenuous and requires constant attention to detail, the ability to predict drivers, the crew, and the work being done.

Working out on the roads, you see and learn many things about the industry and you meet many wonderful people. Dealing with dispatch on the other hand, is a group of rude, selfish and insensitive girls who don't really care about what happens on our job sites. They pick favourites, they punish those who are not favourites by sending them to low-end jobs, forcing them to come in on days off/ sick days, sending them to very far away jobs, short-handing LCT's and having an overall bad-attitude towards the employees. You MUST grow a thick skin to work in this industry; you are dealing with people in vehicles that could kill you in a heartbeat. I've made countless friends working here, with our contractors and my co-workers, but do some research on what flaggers really have to deal with day-to-day before applying here.

I really love my job at the Universal . We have the best team and I feel respected and valued by my manager. Everyone in our accounting team helpful and friendly . Sure it can be a little bit stressful at the times , especially at busy spring-summer season , but my team mates always able to help if needed so we all meet a date times . Also benefits and vacation package are very generous so you can take time off to relax after busy times if needed . Hybrid job is perfect for my family needs . Working some days from home some from office fits my schedule , and saves money on gas .

my least favourite job i have ever had. company culture is toxic unless you are a favourite and have sold your soul to universal. lots of micro managing. poorly managed company. everything is very disorganized and no clear outline of responsibilities. i felt i was talked to in condescending tones by my managers. did not feel like a supportive environment. i was not set up for success, just expected to know everything all at once. if you made a mistake, it wasn’t a teachable/coachable moment, but embarrassment in front of your peers in the group chat. no respect for your personal time. also “boys club” mentality in my opinion. 

This position was ideal for me I loved it. It was outside and it kept me busy and moving. I started as a flagger on the road and sent all over the city. Then they gave me a company truck and then I on my own learned to be a lane tech. Closure of roads and signs and also still flagged. I was a team player but there were some that were not but I never let it bother me because I was a better person and I never judged others. Everyday I learned more and more about my job and what it really took to do it. It was high stressed and I saw my life go buy a few times due do poor drivers. We have death on the job.

A day at work is driving yourself to site, getting your gear on, setting up someone else's signs, then standing. In the same spot. Watching the cars go by. Then, after a minimum of an eternity, pack up and drive home. 

Working for "universal" I learned just how separated the employees doing the job are from the management, who manage by 7 degrees of separation. When you start, your given about 15 phone numbers to call to report unsafe work for instance. No matter what phone you ring? You've got the wrong person.

I really enjoyed not only the job of keeping work crews, my team and civilians & civilian drivers safe. I enjoyed the learning experience, the teamwork as well as the mentorship I received.  The accreditation process is a 2 day open book course/test and live road practicum  and if you’re attentive and have common sense is challenging but very comprehensive. I found management very responsive and approachable.  

From the start the interview process was terrible. Manager looked disinterested and didn't even have the camera on. Went to an onsite interview and it was in a boardroom/canteen with some people going in and out. Things that were promised and mentioned in the interview are simply not true.

Probably received a days worth of training. No documentation or processes in place. You are very much left on your own. Zero culture no matter what they promise or say. 

Management have a sense of entitlement and attitude and are just extremely unhelpful. No surprise turnover is so high.



It is very hard to tell a friend to come work at Beacon Lite as 10 years ago I made more money making less wages and I’m supposed to be retiring soon and I can’t do it now because I don’t make anywhere near the hours that I used to and I don’t wanna go anywhere near them. We need to make up for the hours that I used to work for this company so yes, very hard to get people to sign up for this company. The future this company in the highway division is very shaky. We have low hours all the time we end up working for the shop on weekends because they don’t wanna work.

I am 100% proud of myself for working towards my goal of getting a job here at Universal.  I have honestly never been treated so fairly, or valued in any job.  Every one of my issue's have been addressed immediately and I not once has anyone ever treated me like I am making "too much" of something.  I want to thank everyone at Universal Traffic Group & my coworkers for finally helping me to love my job, and actually want to go in to work daily.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Traffic controller 125 salaries reported	$23.11 per hour
Lane technician 116 salaries reported	$27.76 per hour
Skilled laborer 23 salaries reported	$22.78 per hour
Technician 5 salaries reported	$26.43 per hour
Landscape technician 1 salary reported	$20.50 per hour

Working at The Universal Group: company overview and reviews

The Universal Group

The Universal Group ratings

Popular jobs at The Universal Group

Salary satisfaction

Job seeker tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected