When it comes to promoting diversity and integrating more immigrants into the local workforce, support is needed from a wide range of stakeholders. On April 12, AXIS hosted a Breakfast and Information session in collaboration with the Conference Board of Canada and The Alliance of Sector Councils on ‘Enhancing Your Competitiveness with Internationally Trained Workers’. 

We were pleased to see how many people came out to the event. The audience was comprised of a cross-section of representatives from government, sectors, and local employers, each with ties to a different industry and with different knowledge of immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador. The presence clearly demonstrated investment within all levels of the province to improve the recognition of immigrants’ skills and experience in the workforce..

Following breakfast and opening remarks by Eileen Kelly-Freake, the Director of Employment Programs and Services at AXIS, presentations began outlining the national and local benefits of hiring internationally trained workers. Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador's Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism, Nellie Burke, provided a context for the history of immigration in the province, before outlining current strategies the province has employed in recent years to increase and improve local immigration, such as the Provincial Nominee Program, participating in international Immigration Fairs, and Mutliculturalism Week. 

Dr. Michelle Downey from the Conference Board of Canada next provided a federal outlook on immigration, particularly the positively projected economic advantages to hiring and retaining immigrants. Her presentation of the Conference Board’s Employer’s Toolkit - A Roadmap for Employers offered great tips on how employers can navigate some of the supposed barriers when considering hiring newcomers. The employer panel, which closed off the morning, gave this Toolkit particular relevance, as we were able to see these tips in action. Two of AXIS' employer partners, BoomI.T. and Power Vac–BELFOR, presented on their experiences hiring internationally trained workers. They discussed the benefits diversity has brought to their businesses and how their employees have grown within their respective companies. 

“Internationally trained new hires are loyal and dedicated workers” said Kyron Laffan of PowerVac-BELFOR. “They are quick to learn and are interested in using their skills to advance in their job.”

Sean Kwekkeboom of BoomI.T. spoke on his participation in AXIS’ Internship Placement Program, particularly noting the quality of AXIS referrals, and how the assessment and verification of intern candidates skills have proved especially valuable in his unregulated industry. 

The breakfast and information session was a chance for invested and interested individuals to explore the next steps for continued progress with regards to  immigrant integration and retention in the workplace. Immigration is a cornerstone of Canada’s economic development, yet the presentations and comments from the session reminded everyone that equally important are the intangible benefits of diversity.

It was cold, it was raining, there were no buses, but clients of AXIS braved the weather and were rewarded on Thursday, November 18 at AXIS’ Dress for Success Social. Clients walked away with bags full-to-the-brim with clothes to protect them against the unmerciful St. John’s weather, and keep them looking sharp at the same time.

Several weeks ago we told you about the generous donations of professional clothing we received thanks to Memorial University’s Kindness Friday. Last week, AXIS was transformed from a career centre to a fabulous shopping destination. Racks of clothes lined the hallways and desks could not been seen for the stacks of clothes. And we certainly weren’t sorry for having to put our paper work on hold, because we had a great time socializing and catching up with our clients.

The team at AXIS is exceedingly grateful to those who came out for the event, as well as to everyone who donated. Much of what was contributed has been given a second life, and many deserving newcomers have added wonderful articles of clothing to their wardrobes, which will help them to take their first steps into the Canadian workforce with confidence.

Citizens of the metro area came out in droves on Friday, October 28, and they brought their work clothes with them.

The goal: to Stuff-a-Bus with gently used professional clothing such as blouses, trousers, blazers, shoes, and more.

Kindness Friday is one of many events organized as part of I♥MUNDays. Students and staff of Memorial University, the Confederation Building, the Marine Institute, as well as the general public came out to show just how big their hearts (and closets) are by donating their business wear to clients of AXIS Career Services Division of the Association for New Canadians. Donors were greeted by some very special volunteers including Zach Goudie of CBC, Miss Newfoundland and Labrador: Rebecca Dawe, and Miss Teen Achievement Newfoundland and Labrador: Kora Leigh Russell. Metrobus donated the use of one of their buses for the day, as well as the patience of their driver, Tom, whose smile never faltered despite being asked to pose for picture after picture.

Everyone experiences nervous anticipation before an interview, and the last thing you want to worry about is your clothing. Confidence is a key component of a successful interview, and feeling good about what you’re wearing certainly helps. Immigrants may be especially nervous before an interview because of a lack of familiarity with Canadian customs, and this includes fashion. By donating these clothes to immigrant job seekers, the community is assisting their transition into the Canadian workforce by helping them feel more self-assured.

All the team at AXIS and staff of the Association for New Canadians are exceedingly grateful for the generosity that helped Stuff-a-Bus this Friday. We’ll soon be organizing a 'free shopping spree' for our job seeking clients, so watch for updates in the next few weeks.

In the summer of 2008, AXIS Career Services began developing the Internship Placement Program as part of the federal Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) Program. Since then, AXIS has been working closely with local newcomers and employers to make mutually beneficial matches, helping newcomers gain experience in their field of expertise and employers fill their human resource requirements. As a result of the program’s success, the provincial Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment continues to offer support for the program.

AXIS clients have been placed in a variety of fields: engineering, accounting, information technology, and even in the non-profit sector. In January of 2010, Martin Osuru, a Community Studies graduate originally from Sudan, was matched with the Canadian Red Cross in Corner Brook in the role of Community Development Promotions Officer. One of his main responsibilities was promoting the Red Cross’ Malaria Bed Net Campaign. Mr. Osuru visited various schools in the district to discuss the causes and impacts of malaria in developing nations and his presentations were met with great response from the students who asked interesting and insightful questions. Mr. Osuru was personally touched by the response of both the students and general public to the Malaria Bed Net Campaign—in fact, he exceeded the bed net sales goal set at the beginning of the placement just several weeks into the internship.

Young children are especially at risk of contracting the illness. The World Health Organization reports some interesting statistics on malaria:

·         There are approximately 250 million cases of malaria each year, leading to 1 million deaths

·         One in five childhood deaths in Africa is malaria related

·         Every thirty seconds, a child dies from malaria (WHO 2010)

Mr. Osuru’s presentation resonated in the community, and particularly with students from Grandy’s River Academy. Following Mr. Osuru’s presentation at their school, a group of students committed to going door-to-door around Burnt Islands and Rose Blanche raising money for the Red Cross. From their efforts, they raised enough money specifically for the purchase of 108 bed nets, which will be distributed to children in various parts of Africa.

The students of Grandy’s River Academy were featured in an article in The Gulf News on June 14, 2010, which can be found here. These students have made an important contribution to the lives of children internationally.

In his internship, Mr. Osuru succeeded not only in gaining valuable new job skills, he also was able to raise awareness about issues facing the developing world, and with the help of several passionate young people, make a valuable connection between Newfoundland and the global community. The success of Mr. Osuru’s internship demonstrates not only the individual value of these placements, but also the benefit for the companies who host newcomers, and the communities in which they live.

To learn more about the Red Cross’ Malaria Bed Net Campaign, please visit malariabites.net.