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Moncton chamber creates award for refugee-hiring efforts

Moncton chamber creates award for refugee-hiring efforts

The efforts of Moncton businesses to employ newcomers to the area are being recognized with a new award.

The Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the Inclusive Hiring Award.

"So what this award is going to be is for a business that's demonstrating a commitment to the refugees that are in our community through hiring, through support," said Carole O'Reilly, CEO of the chamber.

"Not just in the workplace but also getting people integrated into the community,"

O'Reilly says moving to a new country can be hard, but having a job helps with that transition. She says people who hire immigrants are heroes.

"I can't imagine arriving in a new country, not speaking the language, it being so culturally diverse from the country that you left. I can't imagine how difficult that would be," said O'Reilly.

"But those companies that do hire these immigrants or refugees, they're the heroes of our community because they're actually helping people be successful and get a life in our community. Without work or support you can't do that."

Challenging but rewarding

Kathy Malley is one of those people whom O'Reilly would consider a hero. Malley is the vice-president of Malley Industries, which manufactures ambulances and wheelchair accessible vehicles.

"We're looking for people with a good attitude who appreciate the work, and immigrants bring a fantastic perspective to the workplace because they really appreciate the jobs," said Malley.

"We've hired many people from other countries for years, not just recently. We've been doing this for ten years or more."

Malley says the challenge with hiring an immigrant is getting over the language barrier. Sometimes they have to turn someone away for that reason, and that can be frustrating.

"We had an experience a number of years ago where someone was very technically capable from France but he was unable to communicate with our French employees, and it was very disappointing because we weren't able to bring him on."

But she says if they know some English, it usually works out.

"I think we just need to be open minded and recognize how important it is to embrace all opportunities to diversify your workplace," said Malley.

"I think it adds a great vibe too your workplace when you have people from different cultures."

Nominations close for the award on Aug. 30. The winner will be presented with the award on Oct. 26 at the annual Greater Moncton Business Excellence Awards.