The past decade has seen a dramatic increase in the number of immigrants seeking work in Canada. Canada is a highly desirable destination for those seeking refuge, due to our need for highly skilled workers. Canada is also recognized as a country with a strong economy and a culturally diverse population.
This causes us to stop and wonder why many new Canadians struggle to find meaningful work. The answer is somewhat complicated but Jeff Van Gyssel (President of Just Working Construction) has met this challenge with optimism and a positive attitude.
Jeff originally worked for a large construction company. At that time he also volunteered at a refugee centre. Here he saw firsthand the difficulties that refugees faced. As the newcomers to Canada struggled with a new language and culture, they also felt alienated from family and friends who had been left behind to struggle in other lands. Their survivor guilt also allowed them to push forward to be the best that they could be.
Recognizing that the skills of these new immigrants were not being utilized, and knowing that he, himself, was an employee without the seniority to hire these workers, Jeff felt it was time to start his own company.
A New Beginning
Just Working Construction is the product of Jeff’s enterprising spirit and has been an answer to the prayers of many. Read the following impact stories.
From Zimbabwe to Canada
Kelvin Chatinyara is a site supervisor at Just Working Construction. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Kelvin moved to Canada with experience in construction, specifically as an electrician. Unfortunately, due to a lack of being employed in a Canadian environment, employers would not hire him. For five months, Kelvin worked in a factory to feed his family, while continuing his search for meaningful work.
Fortunately, Kelvin met Jeff, who needed a drywaller for JWC. Although not directly correlated to Kelvin’s previous experience, he was ready to learn. His construction background allowed him to quickly start working on both residential and commercial projects with JWC. Kelvin’s knowledge of construction was fully evident as his work excelled at Just Working Construction.
Kelvin’s unique life, cultural, and work experiences bring a feel to projects that would not otherwise be available. For example, Zimbabweans use fewer tools in construction, so he became creative at solving problems. Kelvin brings these strengths to job sites in Canada.
Kelvin has now become an irreplaceable asset for JWC.
From Nigeria to Canada
Dapo arrived in Canada two months ago from Nigeria, where he was a mechanical engineer. He was happily reunited with his wife who was already in Canada. She encouraged him to send his resume to companies everywhere. While he did get an interview, he was not hired due to his lack of experience and certification.
Dapo needed to figure out qualifications and certifications to prove his value in the Canadian market. This can be a time-consuming and difficult process. Luckily, Dapo was able to get connected with JWC and now works alongside them, where his previous skills and knowledge from a different culture are valued.
From Books to Building
Aiden has been working with JWC over the summer as a summer student. Apart from building a good skillset related to construction, Aiden has also experienced valuable lessons in learning about many different cultures, countries and traditions. He has learned about fairness in a difficult job market, and he has learned how to apply all these things to his own life. His lessons are a credit to JWC’s diverse range of employees.
Initially Aiden was anxious about working in construction as he was new in this area of work. But since starting, Aiden has learned many new construction skills along with learning the importance of creating community. Understanding how these two skills are interconnected allows us to show more grace to one another. “Together, we create a community where you’re all just learning at the same time.”
A Brighter Future
Diversity is an important aspect of any workplace, and JWC recognizes the value new Canadians can bring to our company. New Canadians often have skills and qualifications that are overlooked because they were not born in Canada. However, these skills and qualifications can be incredibly valuable to a company. JWC is committed to investing in new Canadians and helping them integrate into the workplace. This commitment has led to a more diverse and experienced staff, which benefits everyone involved.
If you are an employer, consider the value a new Canadian can bring to your company. If you are a new Canadian, don’t hesitate to share your knowledge and skills. Each person brings a uniqueness and fresh energy to a workplace. At JWC, we are happy to invest in new Canadians, as we understand the benefits of a diverse workforce. Sometimes our differences make working together challenging, but we recognize that taking the extra time to learn together creates a stronger team and a solid, quality building in the end.