Syrian newcomers tell prospective employers they’re ‘flexible, willing’
Since November, some 3,500 refugees have settled in the GTA. Now they’re exploring the job market
Before his life was torn apart by the brutal war in Syria, Basel Mahmoud happily worked as a manager at a KFC in Damascus.
Now, the 38-year-old father of three is among the thousands of Syrian refugees starting new lives in the GTA and eager to find work and support their families.
“I want to get a job in a fast-food restaurant,” said Mahmoud, one of scores of government-assisted newcomers who gathered at a job fair at the Toronto Plaza Hotel recently in the hopes of connecting with potential employers.
Mahmoud, whose family moved out of the hotel and into an apartment in Etobicoke in February, said he is already attending English classes five days a week.
“To get any job in Canada, English is very important,” said Mahmoud, who fled to Jordan with his family in 2013. “But I’m getting better at it everyday. I’m hopeful I can find a job in a few months.”
Long before the job fair started, the newcomers lined up outside the hotel conference room, scrambling to finalize their resumés with help from job counsellors, as they prepared for one-on-one meet- ings with several companies looking for workers.
Some 3,500 Syrian newcomers — both privately sponsored and government-assisted — have settled in Toronto since November. Many have secured permanent housing, enrolled in English classes and are now keen to explore the job market.
In the coming weeks, immigrant settlement agencies will be planning job fairs in various communities where Syrians have settled, hoping to connect them with local employers.
Josie Di Zio, a director of COSTI, the agency tasked with the settlement of government-assisted Syrians in Toronto and organizer of the job fair, said more than 40 employers have contacted the organization to offer jobs.
“We were approached by the employers and clients eager to begin working. We want to use this opportunity to bring both parties together,” said Di Zio.
To land an on-the-spot meeting with the employers — Grand & Toy, Rabba, Bid13, Broad-Grain, Leather Furniture, Décor-Rest and Maxim Group — candidates had to complete a resumé-writing and workplace-safety workshop.
Abd-el-kadr El-Sheikh, 36, who arrived in Toronto in late January from Lebanon with his wife and six daughters, said he previously had no idea what a resumé was. He says he’s grateful to get this information to help in the job hunt.
“I never needed a resumé before. I got jobs back home through friends,” said the machine mechanic and welder. “I am flexible. I am willing to do any job. This is my first meeting with Canadian employers. God willing, I will get a job soon.”
Arif Khan, human resources manager at Woodbridge’s Décor-Rest Furniture, said the upholstery company is experiencing a surge in sales to the U.S. due to the weak Canadian dollar. He is looking for both skilled and unskilled labourers.
“It’s hard to find Canadians to work in upholstery. Not many young Canadians are interested in learning the skills. We do have a training program. I think this is a win-win for employers and our Syrian newcomers.”
Sonja Parhar-Saroya, of Torontobased BroadGrain, a global trading house of feed and food products, said she is interested in exploring whether the Syrian newcomers have the skills the company needs, ranging from accounting to finances, logistics and general labour work.
“This is a discovery session for us. We don’t have any specific posting. English is important, though many languages are spoken in our office. Whether they are immigrants or Canadians, we are here to find the best talent for the jobs.”
Yasser Mobarak, 37, was a taxi driver and hairdresser before he left for Jordan with his wife, two sons and daughter in 2012. They arrived in Toronto at the end of January and are getting ready to move to an apartment in Mississauga.
“I have met with two employers. They asked me about my work experience and if I would be available. They both had labour jobs available, but they are far from Mississauga and it would take me two hours to get there by bus. I’m a bit disappointed, but hopeful.”