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4/30/2010 | BLJC helps new Canadians gain workplace experience

Rainbow Choi says she is excited knowing her current co-op experience at BLJC will sharpen her resume for future job opportunities.

“The best (that can happen from this placement) is that we can have employment opportunities (here) or, if not, we can make use of the experience (to find) future opportunities in other companies,” says Choi, who has emigrated from Hong Kong.

Choi is one of five new Canadians completing a six-week co-op placement in BLJC’s Human Resources (HR) and corporate finance departments.

She says she is having a great experience learning from BLJC employees.

“My colleagues here are very helpful and kind to me,” says Choi, who has worked in HR in the past.

BLJC has formed a partnership with the Toronto agency Costi, which provides educational, social and employment services to help all immigrants in the Greater Toronto Area attain self-sufficiency in Canadian society.

Through the Costi program, which is federally funded, immigrants spend 14 weeks receiving training in such areas as English, mathematics, computer applications and keyboarding. They finish up with a six-week co-op placement at various area companies.

BLJC manager of HR Acklin Tellis, who initiated the partnership with Costi, says providing co-op opportunities for new Canadians benefits both BLJC and immigrants.

“We can provide people with experience and at the same time be able to meet some of our internal challenges,” says Tellis.

As the larger priority is to provide an opportunity for the new Canadians to gain experience, the HR department is also offering the chance for the co-op personnel to tap into the BLJC resource Skillport, which includes educational courses in a variety of areas.

“(The courses) might deal with something as simple as Word Excel PowerPoint or something like communication skills,” says Tellis, noting candidates will be asked where they would like to develop their knowledge and then be offered the time to complete the courses.

The company is planning an appreciation event for the new Canadians at the end of their placement.

Tellis notes BLJC will be continuing this partnership long-term, and HR will be looking to place co-op personnel in other areas of the organization, depending on the needs of team leads and what the new Canadians have to offer.

The next group from Costi will come in July.

“We are weaving (this program) into the fabric of BLJC as we support and promote diversity,” says Tellis.

“I think it’s certainly something we can be proud of as far as giving back to the community as part of our social responsibility.”