As Syrian refugees begin to arrive in Waterloo Region, a local renovation company is doing its part to help newcomers find employment in Canada.
Based in New Hamburg, Ont., Just Working Construction was founded last April with an aim to provide employment and on-site job training to Canadian immigrants and refugees.
The company is owned by carpenter Jeff Van Gyssel. He was inspired to start the company while working as a volunteer with Welcome Home and the Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support in Kitchener. Many of the new Canadians he met there couldn’t find work.
“It’s a real struggle for them to find good employment here, and for somebody to give them the chance,” he said. “I’m trying to open those doors.”