London Newcomer Day connects new residents with employers and resources

London held an event on Saturday, helping newcomers make connections and find jobs. CTV London's Brent Lale reports.

New Canadians, new connections.

The City of London held its 7th annual London Newcomer Day Saturday, welcoming new residents and helping connect them with resources and employers.

“I am looking for a second job, and it’s a great place to see many employers,” said Omid Kayelbar, who moved to Canada from Iran three years ago, and settled in London last year.

“It’s a good opportunity to talk with them about your career, your job, checking their website or giving your resume.”

Organizers with the London Immigration Strategy (LIS) brought in over 70 different organizations and companies to meet and network with newcomers.

“We want to make sure that people are aware of the full range of services that are there to meet their particular needs as well as to make a difference,” said Robert Collins, co-chair of the London Newcomer Strategy Advisory Body.

“Our employers are really stepping up to the plate to share the range of opportunities and also the different ways that jobseekers from both outside London but also outside the country, who’ve come here and saw that they can find their way and make a positive difference.”

Collins said many people don’t know what their pathway will be when they arrive in the Forest City. This event can help them build meaningful connections with small businesses or large corporations like Canada Life or PowerCo.

“Canada’s very diverse country and London and St. Thomas is very diverse,” said Diane Piedade, senior community engagement and event specialist at PowerCo.

“It’s a local event, so we’re here to get our name out in the community, meet people, let them know that we’re actively recruiting, that we’ve got lots of opportunities currently in work coming up within.”

Some of those early-stage jobs include chemist, engineering, and construction positions.

While PowerCo is just getting its feet wet in the region, across the aisle, Drewlo Holdings is a company which has been developing, constructing and managing apartment buildings for 65 years.

“Drewlo is a family owned and operated company based in London,” said Natalie Twohey, Drewlo senior manager of human resources.

“We’re always looking for great talent and we have lots of opportunities as we are a construction company and property management company. We have lots of general labor roles, entry level roles, as well as property management, maintenance and landscaping.”

Many new Canadians are hard workers and looking to get boots on the ground.

With a young family to support, Kaleybar wants a second job in order to work seven days a week.

“I work in Cambridge but that’s from Monday to Thursday,” he said.

“I’m looking for another job from Friday to Sunday. I have lots of expenses, so I have to find another job.”