WHAT DOES
SUCCESS LOOK LIKE?
Stories that support refugee hiring
and showcase the integration success of employers
Rising to the Top: Sajad’s Story (Afghanistan)
trevor2024-11-26T15:47:03+00:00April 29th, 2024|
Before coming to Canada, Sajad Naderi worked in a financial institution in Afghanistan. When he arrived to Canada late 2022, he had seven years of experience in the banking industry and an MBA. But like many refugees, looking for work in his new home country was not without its challenges.
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Employer – Scotiabank
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.”
VIDEO | 0:55
Employer – Epic Opportunities, video 3
“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.
VIDEO | 0:51
Employer – Sysco, Video 2
“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.
VIDEO | 1:02
Employer – Epic Opportunities, Video 2
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.
VIDEO | 1:00
Employer – Sysco, Video 1
“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.
VIDEO | 0:43
Employer – Epic Opportunities, Video 1
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.
VIDEO | 0:53
Employer – Simaril Inc., Video 2
“These days, most Canadian employers have difficulties with retention. If this is your case, refugees are a great opportunity for you.” Take it from Daria Pakhomova: hiring refugees brings strength and stability to your workforce, along with a plethora of prior skills that can bolster local businesses. “[Refugees] are resilient, they're determined, they know how to problem solve—because they solved a lot of problems trying to get to where they are.”
VIDEO | 0:57
Employer – Simaril Inc., Video 1
Hiring Manager Tobore David says it best: “I believe [refugees] are very adaptable, and that is one of the qualities that they bring to the job that helps them excel—being able to adapt to changes and expectations wherever they are at.” By hiring refugees, Simaril is building a resilient, robust workforce that strengthens their business and helps their clients.
VIDEO | 0:55
Employer – Angus Consulting Management, Video 2
Looking for skilled workers to meet your business needs? Consider hiring refugee talent! Hear Arnold from Angus Consulting Management as he discusses how refugee hires have become an asset to his company.
VIDEO | 1:09
Employer – Angus Consulting Management, Video 1
Refugee Hiring Events give Canadian employers direct access to top refugee talent! Watch the video to hear how Arnold from Angus Consulting Management found the skilled workers he was looking for at last year’s event in Toronto.
VIDEO | 0:54
Employer – BAM Collective
Hanen Nanaa, Founder BAM: Books Art Music Collective Regional Advisor, Government of Canada
VIDEO | 1:46
Tareq Hadhad in conversation with Michael Schechter
Tareq Hadhad, CEO of Peace by Chocolate with Michael Schechter, CPO, TD Bank Group
VIDEO | 6:53
Victor G. Dodig in conversation with The Honourable Ratna Omidvar
In Conversation: Victor G. Dodig, President and CEO, CIBC with The Honourable Ratna Omidvar
VIDEO | 6:51
Jim Estill in conversation with The Honourable Ratna Omidvar
In Conversation: Roundtable Co-Chairs Jim Estill, CEO of Danby Appliances with The Honourable Ratna Omidvar
VIDEO | 6:32
Employer – Scotiabank
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.”
VIDEO | 0:55
Employer – Epic Opportunities, video 3
“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.
VIDEO | 0:51
Ahmednoor’s Welcoming Story
“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.
VIDEO | 0:59
Employer – Sysco, Video 2
“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.
VIDEO | 1:02
Mohamed’s Welcoming Story
“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.
VIDEO | 0:55
Employer – Epic Opportunities, Video 2
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.
VIDEO | 1:00
Employer – Sysco, Video 1
“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.
VIDEO | 0:43
Mary’s Welcoming Story, Video 2
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.”
VIDEO | 0:46
Employer – Epic Opportunities, Video 1
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.
VIDEO | 0:53
Mary’s Welcoming Story, Video 1
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.”
VIDEO | 1:05
Employer – Simaril Inc., Video 2
“These days, most Canadian employers have difficulties with retention. If this is your case, refugees are a great opportunity for you.” Take it from Daria Pakhomova: hiring refugees brings strength and stability to your workforce, along with a plethora of prior skills that can bolster local businesses. “[Refugees] are resilient, they're determined, they know how to problem solve—because they solved a lot of problems trying to get to where they are.”
VIDEO | 0:57
Efe’s Welcoming Story
As a refugee from Nigeria and a successful direct support worker at Simaril, Efe Rogers has a message for employers in Canada: “Whether you are a refugee or immigrant or whoever, as long as the person has the passion to do the job, you should give them a try.”
VIDEO | 0:55
Employer – Simaril Inc., Video 1
Hiring Manager Tobore David says it best: “I believe [refugees] are very adaptable, and that is one of the qualities that they bring to the job that helps them excel—being able to adapt to changes and expectations wherever they are at.” By hiring refugees, Simaril is building a resilient, robust workforce that strengthens their business and helps their clients.
VIDEO | 0:55
Romal and Najeeb’s Welcoming Story
Refugee Hiring Events provide refugee job candidates with coaching, support, and access to Canadian employers seeking skilled talent to fill open positions
VIDEO | 1:09
Employer – Angus Consulting Management, Video 2
Looking for skilled workers to meet your business needs? Consider hiring refugee talent! Hear Arnold from Angus Consulting Management as he discusses how refugee hires have become an asset to his company.
VIDEO | 1:09
Baljinder and Salem’s Welcoming Story
Across Canada, Refugee Hiring Events carefully select refugees with the skills needed to fill specific open positions at specific companies.
VIDEO | 1:01
Salem and Romal’s Welcoming Story
Refugees are coming to Canada with education and experience that employers need!
VIDEO | 1:02
Employer – Angus Consulting Management, Video 1
Refugee Hiring Events give Canadian employers direct access to top refugee talent! Watch the video to hear how Arnold from Angus Consulting Management found the skilled workers he was looking for at last year’s event in Toronto.
VIDEO | 0:54
Najeeb and Baljinder’s Welcoming Story
Many refugees have the skills and expertise to enrich your workplace and bring success to your business!
VIDEO | 0:56
Tooba’s Welcoming Story
Tooba fled Afghanistan and arrived in Canada in 2018. While attempting to open her first bank account in the country, she was so impressed by how welcoming she was treated at CIBC, after a few years of pursuing her dream, she was hired and has been promoted twice after only her first year.
VIDEO | 1:40
Mirhussain’s Welcoming Story
After fleeing Afghanistan, Mirhussain Walizada arrived n Canada in April 2022. His employer was impressed by his international background in education and offered him a position as the College’s Senior Educational Administrator at East West College of Business and Technology (Calgary, AB).
VIDEO | 1:46
Ali’s Welcoming Story
Meet Ali Tartoussi, a Syrian living in Lebanon before moving to Canada in 2020. Just one month after landing in Canada, he was able to quickly secure an interview at Ford Motors and started working as Plant Supervisor at their Oakville Assembly Plant.
VIDEO | 1:41
What’s Next for the Refugee Jobs Agenda Roundtable?
When many of us think of refugees, we think of people in desperate need, fleeing conflict or environmental catastrophe. When we welcome them to our country, we typically think we are fulfilling a humanitarian obligation. But the benefits of welcoming refugees run both ways.
Read the Blog.Talent, perseverance and creativity spell success for refugees in Canada
When many of us think of refugees, we think of people in desperate need, fleeing conflict or environmental catastrophe. When we welcome them to our country, we typically think we are fulfilling a humanitarian obligation. But the benefits of welcoming refugees run both ways.
Read the Blog.Hiring Diverse Talent Matters: Rashmi’s Story (TD Bank Group)
Hiring diverse talent at TD isn’t about paying lip service to DEI by checking a box. It’s in our DNA. We have made a deep-seated commitment to helping our colleagues achieve a true sense of belonging by providing opportunities so all colleagues can work to reach their full potential.
Read the Blog.Rising to the Top: Sajad’s Story (Afghanistan)
Before coming to Canada, Sajad Naderi worked in a financial institution in Afghanistan. When he arrived to Canada late 2022, he had seven years of experience in the banking industry and an MBA. But like many refugees, looking for work in his new home country was not without its challenges.
Read the Blog





