Welcoming Newcomers to Ontario with Meaningful Employment

Mohammed Shahidullah immigrated to Canada in December 2015 with over 25 years of experi-ence as an accountant in Saudi Arabia. Over the course of a year, he sub-mitted over 500 job ap-plications with the hopes of re-launching his career in Toronto, but was un-able to secure a job, de-spite being well-qualified for the positions he was applying to.

It wasn’t until he started applying to internships through Career Edge that he got his big break. Mo-hammed applied to 10 internship opportunities, was shortlisted for three, and was offered the Fi-nancial Analyst Intern position with the Ontario

Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, which he started in Feb-ruary of this year.

“For outsiders coming in, someone has to introduce them to employers; they don’t trust our experi-ence,” Mohammed said, explaining how Career Edge gave him that criti-cal introduction to an em-ployer who recognized and valued his interna-tional experience. “This is the right way for im-migrants to be welcomed in Canada; if you have a job, you will integrate into Canadian society very quickly,” he said.

At a time when the an-ti-immigrant ethos in the United States is te-

naciously pushing new-comers out, the stories of those who have been welcomed and success-fully integrated into the Canadian workforce is a welcome change.

Mohammed is one of 19 other newcomers to be welcomed by the Ontar-io Public Service (OPS) through the OPS Intern-ship Program for Inter-nationally Trained Indi-viduals (ITIs). Supported by Career Edge, this pro-gram connects new im-migrants to employment opportunities in various ministries within the OPS. The six-month in-ternships allow them to gain Canadian experi-ence in professional po-sitions that reflect their

multiple years of special-ized global experience, while supporting their post-immigration settle-ment and setting them on the path to becoming prosperous and produc-tive citizens.

The OPS has partnered with Career Edge since 2006 to operate the OPS Internship Program for ITIs, having re-launched over 500 careers for new-comers through paid in-ternships. This program has provided excellent opportunities for new-comers to Ontario, but we - as Canadians - need to do more to truly har-ness the wealth of skills and knowledge that ITIs bring to the economy.

Mohammed’s experience is not unlike those of the thousands of other ITIs who have successfully bridged their careers through a Career Edge internship, and these stories deserve to be shared. With the xenophobic climate building in North America, Canadians must become ambassadors for inclusion by sharing

immigrants’ stories and openly embracing the strength of diversity.

Together, we can build a strong, vibrant, and more inclusive country. Connect with Career Edge and help us create more success stories.

Career Edge is challenging employers to rally behind their respective Canadian industry to hire 150 interns through Career Edge in 2017, in celebration of Canada’s sesquicentennial. Through this challenge, employers can hire diverse, internationally qualified talent now, while laying the foundation of Canada’s future workforce.

www.careeredge.ca #canada150interns