Employers in Greater Saint John Can Become The Workplace Of Choice For Newcomers
“I am pleased that so many employers are willing to hire newcomers in their workplace,” says Mat Savulescu, Manager of Newcomer Programming at YMCA Newcomer Connections. “As more newcomers choose to live, work, and study in Saint John, our Newcomer Employment Champions [NEC] program establishes an essential bridge between newcomers and employers.”
The Newcomer Employment Champions [NEC] offers employers an opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion where all employees feel valued, engaged, and part of a team. Implementing the best practices, tools, and resources provided in this program will support employers in boosting employee morale, wellness, and productivity.
“The [NEC] program is an essential resource for employers to learn how to welcome newcomers to their workforce; it provides employers with inclusivity and diversity training so new employees can hit the ground running,” said Mike Quinn, Regional Director of the Southwest Region in WorkingNB. “Additionally, the [NEC] program offers employers guidance and mentorship by connecting them with other employers that have found great success and flourished by hiring newcomers.”
An employer’s overall profile can be raised when they are recognized as being welcoming and supportive toward their employees. This raised profile can help attract top talent, engage and retain existing talent, and lead as an example to other local organizations.
Participating organizations will receive public recognition as a Newcomer Employment Champion, which includes a [NEC] logo for recruitment and marketing to signify to job seekers, employees, customers, and the community that the organization is serious about workplace diversity and inclusion.
The [NEC] will hold an annual employer recognition event to celebrate organizations that have most effectively implemented the recommended best practices. This event will also recognize the business leaders who have made efforts to foster diversity and inclusion in the workplace through three awards, with a winner and a runner-up in each category.
“Over the past year, the YMCA has spoken with several employers, and the demand is only increasing as employers look to newcomers to fill their talent needs,” says Quinn. “From a WorkingNB perspective, the more employers that can take advantage of this opportunity, the better.”
The [NEC] is funded by WorkingNB and delivered by YMCA of Greater Saint John’s Newcomer Connections. To participate in the [NEC], please reach out to the Program Coordinator, Racheal Adeyemo, at [email protected].
This story is sponsored by YMCA Newcomer Connections.