By IKEA News |
IKEA Canada is launching a coast-to-coast program that will support the company in hiring 250 refugees over the next three years.
The program will help refugees join the workforce and develop new skills, supporting their integration into local communities across the country. IKEA Canada will also benefit from their skills and talents in its stores and throughout its operations.
The program announced today builds on a successful pilot program begun in June 2018. To support the new national program, IKEA Canada is announcing partnerships with 18 local agencies who will help the company reach and recruit refugees seeking employment, as well as provide support and advice to help them succeed as IKEA co-workers.
“At IKEA, we are guided by a simple, yet powerful vision: to create a better everyday life for the many people,” said Michael Ward, President of IKEA Canada. “Our national refugee employment program will not only provide refugees with career opportunities and job training, but it also provides IKEA the opportunity to create a diverse and inclusive work environment where individual differences are celebrated.”
IKEA’s local agency partners have a strong record of helping newcomers in their communities by providing employment services. Throughout the successful pilot program, IKEA has worked with agencies that provide pre-employment support such as resume writing, interview skills and pre-screening, as well as post-hire support, including language training and long-term career counselling. As part of the pilot program, IKEA has also participated in and hosted job fairs and employment workshops for refugees seeking job opportunities.
“Canada is a global humanitarian leader because of the generosity of Canadians, who have helped refugees settle and integrate into Canadian society. I commend IKEA Canada for its leadership in recognizing how the successful integration of refugees benefits us all.” The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
“ACCES Employment is excited to be a community partner working closely with IKEA Canada on this important initiative. We have facilitated two successful hiring events in this partnership and look forward to continued collaboration to create and establish important hiring opportunities for refugees,” said Allison Pond, President & CEO, ACCES Employment.
IKEA has a longstanding commitment of supporting refugees through humanitarian efforts with the IKEA Foundation. Since 2010, it has partnered with the UNHCR, helping to providing shelter, care and education to families and children in refugee camps and surrounding communities in parts of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Additionally, in 2015, IKEA Canada supported Canada’s resettlement of Syrian refugees through a donation of $190,000 in home furnishings to aid families while they settled into their new homes. Through this program, IKEA Canada was able to support nearly 200 families from across the country. Today’s announcement continues IKEA’s commitment to refugees a step further, moving from short-term settlement needs to long-term employment goals.
IKEA Canada is proud to partner with:
IKEA Coquitlam, Richmond and the Vancouver Customer Distribution Centre
• MOSAIC
• S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
• Progressive Intercultural Community Services