The war in Ukraine has not only brought human loss and destruction, but also a heartbreaking refugee crisis, as Ukrainian citizens flee the conflict.
Some of those displaced people are beginning to find safe, welcoming communities in Atlantic Canada. But with relocation also comes a need for stability. Those leaving the country are also leaving behind their careers, and bringing little else but their job skills to Canada.
Last week, TechImpact’s members, which include some of the biggest IT players in Atlantic Canada, put out a campaign offering to help. They pledged this month to not only to provide employment opportunities to displaced Ukrainians but also offered additional support for challenges like immigration, travel, and housing.
Cathy Simpson, TechImpact’s CEO, says since word was officially put out May 4, IT employers in the region have not only stepped up, but in some cases have already given jobs to some Ukrainians displaced by Russia’s invasion.
Simpson says it is a strong initiative led by TechImpact’s members.
“When this was happening, a couple of our members reached out to me and said ‘we have to do something about this,’” Simpson says. “So we connected them with the federal government and the provincial government here in New Brunswick.”
One of Tech Impact’s Nova Scotia members, Emera, was a strong backer for providing skilled opportunities to those displaced, having what Simpson describes as “a boatload of job openings.”
Simpson says the message to governments and settlement organizations was clear.
“We want your staff to know that if you are working with Ukrainians who are settling and are thinking about Atlantic Canada, we want any of them who have tech skills to know there are jobs here for them,” she says.
That message was also delivered directly to Ukrainians affected by the war, with TechImpact posting materials on its web site, and to share, in Ukrainian.
“We tried to think of the tools that other Ukrainians could use to reach out to their community, whether or not they’re already here in Canada, or thinking about coming to Canada,” shares Simpson. “And we wanted to make sure that we were reaching out to businesses, agencies, and also giving people tools that they can then use to send out as well.”
How employers can help
Employers are being encouraged to post their openings on the Canada Job Bank and to further register any available jobs on the Government of New Brunswick’s Ukraine Initiative Employer Registry, in addition to letting TechImpact know directly.
She says the last part has led to early success for its members in helping those displaced find meaningful work in the region. She described the case of Anna, who is now in living in Halifax and working in the recruitment department for Mariner after coming to Canada from Ukraine last month.
Another woman now settling in Moncton received resume guidance this week to help better target her skills and get traction in the local job market.
An email to Simpson from a Ukrainian man named Ivan, who with his wife and three-year-old son have made it to Slovenia, notes his family are preparing visas to come to Canada.
He and his family are already planning to relocate to Saint John through a resettlement program, and through the appeal by TechImpact’s membership, is able to plan his relocation in advance.
He learned about the assistance from a newcomers settlement advisor with the Saint John Newcomer Centre. His resume was already in Simpson’s hands to help make connections for employment.
“We’ve met with him this week, and we’ve worked on his resume,” confirms Simpson. “And we’re going to start introducing him to companies in Saint John because he wants to work here.”
Simpson says she continues to see similar connections every day, adding it’s been an eye-opening experience to understand what is actually required for those fleeing Ukraine and coming to a new country like Canada.
“If people are coming, they need income,” remarks Simpson. “And if they are staying six months, or they stay three years, or end up staying 15 years, if they can immediately get into the workforce because they have skills — and we already have the demand — just think of the relief this is going to provide.”
Atlantic Canadian IT Employers can help TechImpact in supporting Ukrainians displaced by war by contacting TechImpact directly at: talent@techimpact.it
