Grace Ogundiwin is an employer at Scotiabank, a Canadian business that has long benefited from including refugees in their workforce—and an immigrant. Her advice? “Canada is a land filled with so much opportunity. Show yourself, don’t hide it, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.” Canadian businesses can benefit greatly from incorporating refugee talent—and it can all start from a simple conversation.
“I think refugees really understand the people we serve and where they’re coming from and are able to speak to that shared experience together.” Pam Munnik shares how hiring #refugees have not only helped stabilize Epic Opportunities’ workforce, but it’s added a new perspective and approach that helps their clients.
“I want to stay here a long time… I started as a production worker and helper, now I’m working as a machine operator, and in the future I wish to be supervisor or manager. That’s my dream.” Ahmednoor’s story at Price Industries reveals a bigger picture: refugees are ready to build their careers in Canada from day one.
“There is a level of perseverance that is unique to refugees… I think that that speaks volumes to who they are, not only as individuals but as colleagues when they join our company.” As an employer, Leanna Kendall has seen firsthand what refugees can bring to local businesses in Canada.
“I have a big push behind my back to reach the highest positions that I can really achieve.” From flight attendant to successful sales consultant at Sysco Canada, Mohamed Elkasas is one of the many #refugees using his extensive prior experience to excel in his career in Canada.
Why is hiring #refugees good for business? “People talk. If you have one person from a community in your employment and you’re supporting their livelihood and building those roots, that word of mouth is going to continue within the community. You’re going to get more people coming to your door… and that’s good for business.” Epic Opportunities is one of the many Canadian businesses benefiting from hiring refugees.
“We’ve just been very intentional about some of the practices that we’ve incorporated as a part of hiring refugees.” At Sysco Canada, small changes in recruitment have led to a big impact strengthening their business and sharing opportunities with refugee hires.
As a refugee from Nigeria now working as a successful associate in Scotiabank, Mary Ugheoke has a message for Canadian employers: “Give them a chance. I may not have had Canadian experience, but I had a lot of experience from back home.”
Why hire #refugees? “They bring diversity, they bring understanding, they bring resilience… all of those things make us a better organization.” Learn more from Kristin Knockaert about how hiring refugees strengthened Epic Opportunities and helped them accomplish their business goals.
Mary Ugheoke was able to utilize her robust accounting experience in Nigeria to start a new banking career in Scotiabank. Her advice to refugees: “Don’t give up.” “It might be a bit challenging and overwhelming trying to settle down in a new country, but Canada is a beautiful place with a lot of opportunities. So just keep pushing. There will be one person that will see your worth and hire you for who you are.”
