IKEA Canada Launches Refugee Employment Program Coast-to-Coast

BURLINGTON, ON – IKEA Canada is launching a coast-to-coast program that will support the company in hiring 250 refugees over the next three years. The program will help refugees join the workforce and develop new skills, supporting their integration into local communities across the country. IKEA Canada will also benefit from their skills and talents in its stores and throughout its operations.

The program announced today builds on a successful pilot program begun in June 2018. To support the new national program, IKEA Canada is announcing partnerships with 18 local agencies who will help the company reach and recruit refugees seeking employment, as well as provide support and advice to help them succeed as IKEA co-workers.

“At IKEA, we are guided by a simple, yet powerful vision: to create a better everyday life for the many people,” said Michael Ward, President of IKEA Canada. “Our national refugee employment program will not only provide refugees with career opportunities and job training, but it also provides IKEA the opportunity to create a diverse and inclusive work environment where individual differences are celebrated.”

IKEA’s local agency partners have a strong record of helping newcomers in their communities by providing employment services. Throughout the successful pilot program, IKEA has worked with agencies that provide pre-employment support such as resume writing, interview skills and pre-screening, as well as post-hire support, including language training and long-term career counselling. As part of the pilot program, IKEA has also participated in and hosted job fairs and employment workshops for refugees seeking job opportunities.

“ACCES Employment is excited to be a community partner working closely with IKEA Canada on this important initiative.  We have facilitated two successful hiring events in this partnership and look forward to continued collaboration to create and establish important hiring opportunities for refugees,” said Allison Pond, President & CEO, ACCES Employment.

IKEA has a longstanding commitment of supporting refugees through humanitarian efforts with the IKEA Foundation. Since 2010, it has partnered with the UNHCR, helping to providing shelter, care and education to families and children in refugee camps and surrounding communities in parts of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Additionally, in 2015, IKEA Canada supported Canada’s resettlement of Syrian refugees through a donation of $190,000 in home furnishings to aid families while they settled into their new homes. Through this program, IKEA Canada was able to support nearly 200 families from across the country. Today’s announcement continues IKEA’s commitment to refugees a step further, moving from short-term settlement needs to long-term employment goals.

IKEA Canada is proud to partner with:

Location Agencies
 IKEA Coquitlam, Richmond and the Vancouver Customer Distribution Centre
 IKEA Edmonton
 IKEA Calgary
 IKEA Winnipeg
 IKEA Burlington
 IKEA Etobicoke, Vaughan, North York and the Mississauga Customer Distribution Centre
 IKEA Ottawa
 IKEA Boucherville, Montreal, IKEA Customer Service Centre and the Brossard Customer Distribution Centre
 IKEA Quebec City
 IKEA Halifax

 

ABOUT IKEA CANADA
IKEA Group is a leading home furnishing retailer with 357 stores in more than 29 countries worldwide, which are visited by 817 million people every year. IKEA Canada has 14 stores, an eCommerce virtual store, five Pick-up and order points and 17 Collection Points. Last year, IKEA Canada welcomed 30 million visitors to its stores and 104 million visitors to the IKEA.ca website. Founded in 1943, IKEA’s business philosophy is to offer a wide range of products of good design and function at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them. For more information on IKEA Canada, please visit www.IKEA.ca.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
IKEA CANADA
Stephanie Harnett
Corporate Public Relations Manager
905-637-9440 ext. 6378
stephanie.harnett@IKEA.com