March 08, 2019
Friesens Corporation recognized for its work with newcomers to Canada
From: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
News release
One of 3 Employer Awards given out by IRCC
March 6, 2019 – Altona, MB – The Government of Canada is recognizing Friesens Corporation for its support of newcomers to Canada, including offering on-the-job skills and language training.
The Altona, Manitoba, business was named today as one of 3 winners of the 2019 Employer Awards for Newcomer Employment for its exemplary work in helping newcomers to Canada find and retain jobs, and enhance their employment skills.
Friesens partners with Winnipeg-based settlement and employment service provider organizations to hire newcomer who are looking for jobs. They then offer training and support to help close the skills gaps for internationally trained employees who lack Canadian experience.
Each year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, in collaboration with Hire Immigrants Ottawa, recognizes local businesses’ innovative efforts to improve the integration of newcomers into the labour market across Canada. This year’s winners – a small, medium and large employer – help reduce the barriers faced by newcomers entering the labour market and improve their overall settlement in Canada.
Winners were announced at the 2019 Employer Council of Champions Summit and Awards, organized by Hire Immigrants Ottawa. The Summit brings together business, government and civic leaders to engage in a dialogue about the effective integration of refugees and immigrants into the labour force, and to celebrate employer excellence.
Quotes
“I am impressed by the initiative that Friesens has taken in ensuring that its newcomer employees feel welcome and have the supports they need to integrate into their life in Canada. Their training programs, coupled with initiatives like working with a local financial institution to develop a mortgage program for newcomer employees, help people make connections in their local community, which is so critical to the integration journey”.
– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
“We are especially honoured to receive this award as it reflects the importance we place on developing great people. As a large employer located in a small rural community with near-0% unemployment, our newcomer employment strategy is critical to company success. Given our location, we are not only involved in recruitment and onboarding, but also in community integration initiatives related to housing, education, banking, grocery and transportation. These efforts are led by a dedicated human resources team that shows great care for each individual as they pursue success both in the workplace and the community. This is all made possible through great partners like the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, Regional Connections Immigration Services, Opportunities for Improvement, and many other local services. We are thankful for these partners”.
– Chad Friesen, Chief Executive Officer of Friesens Corporation
Quick facts
- Since 2015, IRCC has been recognizing private businesses that support the successful labour market integration of newcomers in Canada through these awards.
- Winning employers are chosen based on nominations from settlement service provider organizations. Friesens was nominated by the Regional Connections Inc.
- Friesens, considered a medium-sized employer, has co-funded “English at Work” in partnership with Regional Connections to provide on-the-job English training for newcomer employees for more than 15 years.