A Newcomer with a New Business
"I really believe it works”
October 22, 2010
Hermen Atienza, who immigrated from the Philippines to Halifax in
December 2008, is now an integrated and successful businessperson within
the Greater Halifax community. According to him, the transition was
easy because of welcoming individuals and services like the Partnership’s Connector Program.
Hermen first came to the Partnership in March 2009 to discuss an alternative business opportunity, but ultimately met with Cindy Dean,
Project Coordinator for the Connector Program. After learning about
Hermen’s extensive work experience in the Philippines, Cindy put him in
touch with Shannon MacDonald, Atlantic Practice Managing Partner at Deloitte.
After establishing a connection (relationship) with Shannon, Hermen
eventually expanded his network, through her, to encompass close to 100
connections in his new community. And this was only the jumpstart for
Hermen’s new career.
“The Connector Program helped me to grow
confidence and comfort in the Nova Scotia business environment. After
only three months, I knew I was ready to go into business here.” An
incredibly experienced worker, Hermen came to Canada with a very vast
resume under his belt. With an MBA majoring in Finance, a BA majoring in
Economics, as well as management, consulting, government, and
entrepreneurial experience, Hermen is a self-proclaimed “Jack of all
trades.” The Connector Program and networking organizations in the city
helped Hermen to fine-tune his skills and commence a career in his true
calling: managing MBA Advisory Services, a management consultancy firm
providing business advice, services and training consistent with the
Holy Bible.
“I figured out how the business community works, and
I knew I could be competitive here. I’m committed to Halifax and Nova
Scotia. It’s a great place to live, work, and raise a family.” Hermen
quickly learned that a large portion of our workforce functions through
relationship-building and connections. This influenced his decision to
be heavily involved in networking, with groups such as The Halifax Club, Group Halifax, Business as Usual, and Mingle Halifax. Because of the number of contacts Hermen has made over the past year
and a half, he was able to start his own business using the contacts and
experience he gained through the Connector Program.
As an
established, respected, and well-known fixture within the community,
Hermen Atienza is returning the favour and has become a Connector
himself. He is currently working to connect an International MBA student
to the city. “I anticipate helping further her career and steering her
in the right direction.”
Deloitte Leads the Way with Immigration and Diversity in Greater Halifax
April 1, 2010
Recognized
as one Canada's best employers for new Canadians, Deloitte is a leader
in making immigration work in Halifax. Striving to attract and retain
professionals with a broad range of experiences from across the globe,
this international firm understands that it can deliver the best
solutions to their clients by diversifying their workforce and their
work environment.
Deloitte Halifax is working with the Greater
Halifax Partnership to engage their employees and work with business
leaders in the community to promote immigration and diversity. In
October 2009, Deloitte and the Partnership co-hosted an Investor
breakfast to discuss the importance of immigration to Halifax.
Deloitte’s Chief Diversity Officer Jane Allen explained how many
organizations in Canada focus on hiring visible minorities, however,
most Canadian workplaces are not inclusive to the needs of other
cultures.
Following the investor briefing, the Partnership was
asked to present an overview of its current immigration initiatives at a
Deloitte office-wide meeting. Approximately 60 employees attended and
took a keen interest in the Connector Program.
“The Partnership's
Connector Program is something that I am absolutely passionate about –
in a strategic and tactical way, the program facilitates the
introduction of newcomer job-seeking professionals with high quality
employers,” said Jamie Welsh, Senior Manager with Deloitte.
So
far, 13 connections have been made through Deloitte employees, and as a
result of the referral process six newcomers have secured employment.
Working
with senior leadership, Ms. Allen is developing and implementing an
Atlantic Canadian workplace diversity strategy. The company has
committed to adopting the Connector program as part of its strategy.
In
2009, Deloitte& Touche LLP received an award from The Best
Employers for New Canadians. The competition is managed by the editors
of Canada's Top 100 Employers in partnership with ALLIES, a joint
initiative of the The Maytree Foundation and The J.W. McConnell Family
Foundation.
Reasons why the company was selected included:
- Active
participation in TRIEC's the Mentoring Partnership program, with over
150 employee mentors helping new Canadians access jobs and establish
networking relationships in their fields of expertise. Deloitte was one
of the first corporate partners to get involved in the program.
- Providing internships to new Canadians through the Career Bridge program, and have hired former interns as full-time employees.
- Operating
a unique web-based Cultural Navigator Program, a self-assessment tool
that familiarizes skilled immigrant employees on Canadian workplace
culture.
Over 100 Halifax business leaders share their professional networks
The Greater Halifax Partnership launched the Connector Program in July 2009 as a formalized networking initiative to help newcomers expand their professional networks. By putting newcomers directly in touch with established business leaders, we are connecting them to the opportunities they need to settle successfully into the community.
The response from this initiative amongst the Halifax business community has been overwhelmingly supportive. Our goal in the first year of the program was to recruit 50 business leaders, known as “connectors”. These connectors have agreed to meet with a newcomer to discuss how their international skills can be applied in Halifax. From there, connectors refer newcomers to three other business leaders in the same field. Within the first six months of the program, we had a data base of over 100 connectors willing to help make this program a success.
The social and professional networks that exist in Halifax are a natural part of the business community, and critical for newcomers to become part of for their professional growth in a new city. The Connector Program seems like such an obvious concept to welcome and integrate newcomers into the community – but until now, no other organization has initiated a program like this.
The Connector Program is an innovative a unique referral process and, we are hoping to shift attitudes and change the way people think and hire in Halifax. Based on the response from the business community, Halifax is beginning to become connected to the hidden talent pool of immigrants and share their professional networks with new talent.
Newcomer Professional Employed at First Connection
Alina Librman moved to Halifax from Israel with her two children. She brings over 19 years experience as a hairstylist and owner of a salon in Israel. After moving to Canada, she knew it would be a challenge to find employment, both to have an income to support her family and also to gain hours that could go towards her licensing through the Cosmetology Association of Nova Scotia. As a licensed stylist, there are many more opportunities for employment. Licensed stylists are able to apply to any salon and also, have the opportunity to start up a registered salon of their own.
As a participant in the Halifax Connector Program, Alina’s first Connection was with Sandra Martin, owner and operator at Cuts of Class. Sandra has owned Cuts of Class for over 20 years and has had very positive experiences hiring immigrants. She has kept in touch with them after they have moved on to other positions with different organizations. At the first Connection meeting, Sandra gave Alina a very warm welcome and invited her into job shadow for a day. Alina has been employed with Sandra at Cuts of Class ever since.
“I am grateful Halifax has a program that welcomes newcomers into the city and connects them to employment opportunities,” says Alina Librman, Newcomer Professional. “I was hired at my first connection meeting and am enjoying my Canadian work experience very much. Through the Connector Program, I had the opportunity to meet an employer who I wouldn’t have known otherwise. I feel like I am part of the community now and am looking forward to being a Halifax Connector one day”.
This is an example of how the Connector Program puts newcomers directly in touch with employment opportunities. Sandra is also tracking the hours works at Cuts of Class so Alina can put that towards her licensing. Newcomer professionals add a world of opportunities to your business. When the right opportunity exists- everyone benefits.