Pictured above: We recently celebrated the impact of YSM employer partners like Beth (left) and Chris (right) from Shoppers Drug Mart, shown here with a program participant.
When Akello* first moved to Canada, despite his education and past work experience, he encountered a frustrating roadblock — every job he applied for required the Canadian work experience he didn’t yet have.
But then he discovered YSM’s Workforce Development team, which has begun establishing a network of employer partners who offer a crucial bridge of support in employment journeys like his.
What is a YSM employer partner?
Our Workforce Development team is connecting a growing number of employer partners who have open roles to fill with a pool of qualified, supported candidates who are eager to work.
This partnership benefits both employer and job seeker, as YSM has already provided the candidates with training, simplifies the hiring process, and offers support to clients after employment for smoother onboarding and improved retention. Partnering with YSM also allows some employers to fulfill Corporate Social Governance (CSG) requirements.
In addition to building a thriving workforce, employer partners can become meaningful community change-makers.
“We collaborate with employment centres like YSM because they’re providing a key service, and that is to give hope,” explains Gurbeen from Toronto nonprofit Aangen. “Employment is a hopeful place. It means I can pay my bills, I have something to offer.”
Why become an employer partner?
“I like what the program offers for both the employee and employer,” explains Chris, a manager at Shoppers Drug Mart. “Our partnership with YSM gives us the advantage of always having someone in the pipeline ready to be developed. Most candidates are eager to move up in the company once they understand the role and responsibilities. We have been able to promote quite a few individuals from the YSM program to assistant store managers and supervisors. Personally, I look at being an employer partner as a way to give people a chance to prove themselves and give them as many tools as I can to set them up for success.”
“I thank God that YSM opened that door for me, and others, to acquire experience,” Akello says today. “I’m employed and feel truly valued at my work.”
To explore becoming a YSM employer partner, email employersupports@ysm.ca.