Virtual Speed Networking Event for FIN Candidates
At World Skills Employment Centre we continue to do the work of supporting newcomers integrate into the Canadian labour market, despite the challenges that COVID-19 has brought into our personal and professional lives.
In the last few months, we have had to adapt and innovate in ways that we didn’t even think were possible. Thanks to new and emerging technology and digital tools, we continue to offer all our services, programs, and networking and coaching events remotely.
One such event was the Virtual Speed Networking for the Federal Internship for Newcomers (FIN) Program that we hosted, in partnership with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), via Zoom on August 14, 2020.
The event was attended by 50 candidates from the FIN pools, several partner organizations and over 30 hiring managers from federal, provincial and municipal departments including Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, British Columbia Government, Canada Border Services Agency, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Canadian Heritage, City of Ottawa, Canada Revenue Agency, Correctional Services Canada, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, House of Commons, Indigenous Services Canada, IRCC, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Justice Canada, Public Safety Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Senate of Canada, and Statistics Canada.
The event was a huge success and we received positive feedback from those who attended it. For the candidates it was a chance to meet and network with public servants from various departments. While the hiring managers were able to get a glimpse of the internationally trained talent that is available in the FIN pools.
“Thank you World Skills and IRCC for organizing such an amazing event. It was a great opportunity to meet and speak with employers from different government departments,” said Swaminathan Krishnamurthi, a FIN intern.
A lot of hard work, planning and preparation naturally goes behind organizing virtual events of this scale. In order to help the candidates make the most of their own time and that of the managers they were meeting, we had also hosted a preparatory workshop a week previously. Participants were coached on the importance of having a good elevator pitch, how to conduct themselves during virtual networking events and how to make a great impression.
“Thank you for an excellent job, organizing and running the event. Your time, support and help is appreciated,” said Oladimeji Audu, a FIN candidate.
It makes us really happy and proud that our clients have stayed committed to achieving their employment goals in spite of all the obstacles they are currently facing. And we look forward to supporting them continuously to achieve those goals.
If you are a newcomer jobseeker looking for employment related programs and services or networking and coaching opportunities, do consider registering as a client by writing to us on ws@ottawa-worldskills.org
