Toronto Refugee Hiring Event: A Celebration of Talent, Opportunity & Community Impact

A Celebration of Talent, Opportunity & Community Impact

On October 17, we were thrilled to co-lead the Toronto Refugee Hiring Event — a truly energizing day filled with connection, possibility, and meaningful action.

Skills for Change proudly partnered with World Education Services, Jumpstart Refugee Talent, and the Future Ready Initiative to bring this event to life. Together, we created a targeted, skill-aligned hiring space designed to connect forcibly displaced individuals with employment opportunities that honour their experience and potential.

This wasn’t your typical job fair. Our model brought together 214 pre-screened refugee job seekers out of a whopping 850 applicants and a lineup of committed employers — including CIBC, Scotiabank, Ainsworth, CBRE, InterRent, Zurich and other leaders in inclusive hiring — all with active vacancies. The result? Real-time interviews, tailored coaching, and even on-the-spot job offers.

The day’s momentum was amplified by inspiring remarks from Mayor Olivia Chow and Skills for Change CEO Surranna Sandy, MA, MBA, ALM. An executive roundtable on inclusive hiring strategies, along with program showcases and support services, highlighted the many pathways available for newcomers and refugees to upskill, connect, and thrive within Canada’s workforce.

More than a hiring event, this was a vibrant demonstration of what’s possible when purpose meets partnership. With a shared commitment to equity and meaningful access to employment, the Toronto Refugee Hiring Event marked a powerful step toward building a more inclusive and resilient workforce — one that uplifts lived experience and embraces the transformative power of opportunity.