New Arrivals To New Brunswick Find Great Opportunities Via ONB Connects
Imagine packing your belongings and leaving behind everything you know to begin a new life halfway across the world. It’s a daunting task, but one that many have taken on to arrive in New Brunswick.
Aleksandr Anfilov and Chizoma Ifeanyi-Okereh were two newcomers looking to begin prosperous new chapters in New Brunswick.
Aleksandr, a software developer, hails from Astrakhan, Russia and arrived in Saint John in July 2018 to continue his studies through the Provincial Nominee Program. Close to completing his studies he knew the next step was finding employment — a tough task having only been in Canada for six months.
Chizoma, meanwhile, arrived in Saint John from Nigeria in September 2016 with her husband and three sons. She has a passion for international finance, and that combined with her strong social skills made her a great find for any number of New Brunswick companies. She just needed the right connections.
Enter ONB Connects.
Launched to help new graduates and newcomers spend one-on-one time with a variety of professionals living and working in New Brunswick, ONB Connects helps highly skilled immigrants like Aleksandr and Chizoma feel comfortable in their new surroundings and build a strong network as they continue the search for their next career opportunity.
Just weeks after joining ONB Connects to begin making connections, Aleksandr’s skill set was quickly recognized; he was put in touch with InteliSys Aviation Systems. The result: Aleksandr received an offer of full-time work.
“We need great technical talent but we also need diversity in terms of languages and cultural understanding to grow our business,” notes Wayne Chamberlain, President of InteliSys. “Alex is a great example of this. He brings software development, Russian, and German language skills to our team.”
“My positive experience with ONB Connects began at the Saint John Newcomers Centre, where an employee recommended becoming a Connectee,” notes Aleksandr. “Within weeks, after two interviews with InteliSys, I got an offer from this amazing company. I’m enjoying my new job and highly recommend ONB Connects.”
Chizoma Ifeanyi-Okereh also had her potential recognized by joining ONB Connects. TD Insurance was looking for qualified candidates in its Saint John office. After being connected with a TD Hiring Manager, and applying for the job, Chizoma turned out to be exactly what TD was looking for.
“ONB Connects was a catalyst, but it was Chizoma’s work ethic, personality, and skill set that made her the winning candidate for TD,” notes ONB Community Economic Development Executive Jim Hennessy, one of the many connections Chizoma met along the way. “There is no greater feeling than making a difference for someone like her, that is the strength of this program. Stories like hers emphasize what it does and how it helps those who wish to be in New Brunswick stay in New Brunswick. Hopefully, this will encourage more New Brunswick professionals to become Connectors.”
“Fourteen months after arriving in Saint John I couldn’t find my feet; I felt lost and unfilled in my career,” says Chizoma. “ONB Connects not only provided me with a professional ladder, it taught me how to climb it. The meetings, exposure, and network offered by ONB Connects provided me with all I needed to land my dream job.”
Become the Next Success Story
“New Brunswick is facing some very significant demographic challenges. Our ability to attract and retain a skilled workforce is becoming increasingly critical to our success as a province,” notes ONB CEO Stephen Lund. “ONB Connects is one of the ways we are bridging the gap between open jobs and top talent.”
ONB Connects allows New Brunswick employers to tap into a talent pool they would not otherwise have access to. The province’s municipalities recognize its importance too; the City of Saint John’s Growth Strategy counts ONB Connects as one of its pillars. The city’s first-year goal of 50 Connectees has been exceeded, with eight people including Aleksandr and Chizoma already finding full-time work thanks to program connections.
Find out how you can become a Connector or a Connectee at www.ONBConnects.ca.
This story was sponsored by Opportunities New Brunswick.