Many employers in and around Waterloo Region are at the forefront of a movement to tap into the talents of immigrants. They have hired and encouraged newcomers and supported participation in solution-oriented initiatives such as mentoring, internships, public awareness campaigns and award programs.
As a local employer, your business can really benefit from the skills of immigrants in Waterloo Region, you can help a newcomer get off on the right foot and contribute to the ongoing prosperity of this community. Read the stories of employers like you who are making a difference.
Canadian Threadall Ltd.
Canadian Threadall Ltd. produces customized threading, bending, and concrete forming hardware and accessories. For over 35 years, Canadian Threadall Ltd. has supplied companies throughout North America and beyond with quality products out of its nearly 60,000 square foot facility in Cambridge. After many year operating, Threadall began finding it harder and harder to identify the right talent to meet its workforce needs. In 2016 they began working with the YMCA Employment Services to identify new employees ready to be cross-trained on various aspect of its business with a view to movement into leadership positions.
Through its collaboration with the YMCA, Threadall has had success in hiring newcomers to Canada who they've found to be enthusiastic, hardworking and self-motivated as new employees. Threadall has worked with the YMCA to develop ways to overcome language barriers and can count on support from its staff. One recent hire with little English joined the company as a Machine Operator and within several months had moved on to new responsibilities and gained confidence in working in English. Threadall's relationship with the YMCA Employment Services has grown such that around one fifth of its shop employees have now been hired through this partnership.
Teledyne DALSA
Teledyne DALSA is an international leader in high performance digital imaging and semiconductor products. With approximately 1000 employees world-wide, Teledyne DALSA designs, develops, manufactures, and markets digital imaging products and solutions, in addition to providing customized semiconductor products and services. Teledyne DALSA's core competencies are in specialized integrated circuit and electronics technology, software, and highly engineered semiconductor wafer processing. Teledyne DALSA builds upon its 30 year history of developing the world's leading high performance digital imaging and semiconductor solutions, while drawing on the capabilities of the larger Teledyne organization, to deliver products and technology that are truly innovative and that can help its customers succeed.
When Teledyne was recently looking to hire an Export Administrator, they connected with Conestoga College's Immigrant Internship Program. Through the Immigrant Internship Program, they were able to hire Sami Arebi into the Export Administrator position. Sami had been in Canada for 6 months before he connected with the Program. Sami has over 10 years' experience in International Trade Relations and Foreign Trade in Eritrea and Egypt, and was a great fit for the role with Teledyne DALSA. Sami is now an Export Specialist and a full-time member of the Teledyne DALSA Trade Compliance Team. He is extremely knowledgeable of Canadian export controls and is working toward his Certified Customs Specialist designation. Through his knowledge, experience and work ethic, Sami has set a high standard for compliance practices and has made a tremendous contribution to the continuing success of Teledyne DALSA.
PJ Wallbank Mfg Company & Bolts Unlimited
Wallbank is a North American company with ISO/TS Registration providing bolts, springs and wire formings to Automotive, Agricultural and Industrial companies. They produce high quality custom bolts and springs, have flexible production runs and can operate on short lead times. When Wallbank was recently looking to hire a Quality Inspector, they partnered with Conestoga College's Immigrant Internship Program to find the right talent. Through this partnership, Efrain Leon, a recent immigrant from Venezuela was hired into this permanent position. Efrain is a PMP certified Electrical Engineer. He brings international experience to Wallbank as a professional with more than 10 years' experience in program management directing high-end technology projects.
VELD Architect
VELD Architect is a rural and agritourism design firm which focuses on site specific design integrating the field and the building. VELD is dedicated to making homes, work places and businesses to inspiring spaces by assisting with projects from the early planning and feasibility stages, through end of construction. VELD was struggling to hire an Architectural Technologist when they connected with Conestoga College's Immigrant Internship Program. Program staff helped VELD vet and hire Sahar Youssef, a recent immigrant from Egypt, on a temporary contract with potential for extension. Sahar has over 5 years' experience in architectural design and drafting, applying state-of-the-art advanced architectural concepts to residential, commercial and mixed-use buildings, heritage and conservation projects.
VELD's Krista Hulshof says: "I had struggled for 6 months trying to find the right fit for my growing firm. Conestoga really connected me to the skills that I was looking for and a personality that fits with my office culture. I look forward to growing and teaching with Sahar."
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