Toronto, Ontario (Oct. 17, 2025) – On October 17, World Education Services (WES) will host the fifth annual Toronto Refugee Hiring Event, bringing together 214 pre-screened job candidates to meet with 10 leading local employers who are ready to make offers on the spot. All participating job seekers are refugees or individuals who have been forcibly displaced.
The Refugee Hiring Event model is 10 to 15 times more successful than traditional job fairs in terms of placements and advancing candidates through the interview process. The model has been used in communities throughout Canada and is designed to be successful in both urban and rural environments.
“That a network of employers, municipalities, and community agencies interested in employing refugees continues to spearhead Refugee Hiring Events around the country is testament to the model’s effectiveness,” said The Honourable Andrew Cardozo, Chair of the Refugee Jobs Agenda Roundtable, a national coalition of more than 150 employers that developed the Refugee Hiring Event model. “We often forget that among refugee claimants are many highly skilled workers, who in some cases faced danger because of their professions. In reality there is a strong economic workforce among the refugee population.”
In past years, attendees at the Toronto Refugee Hiring Events have had a high degree of success. Last year, 54 percent of the 300 participating candidates were hired or received follow-up interviews. In 2025, 89 percent of interviewees at the Durham Region Refugee Hiring Event achieved similar success, demonstrating the consistency and strength of the model across different communities.
This year, participating employers include Ainsworth, CBRE, CIBC, InterRent, Kenaiden Contracting Ltd., Redberry Crown Restaurants LP, Saisethsons Hospitality Group Inc., Scotiabank, Snackruptors, and Zurich Canada.
The organizers of the 2025 Toronto Hiring Event include Future Ready Initiative, WES, Jumpstart Refugee Talent, and Skills for Change.
The Refugee Jobs Agenda Roundtable offers online training, coaching, and other resources to enable cities and provinces across Canada to host their own Refugee Hiring Events. Employers interested in participating in future events can click here.
For more information, please visit here.
Media Contact: Mina Sharif, Communications Manager, Jumpstart Refugee Talent, [email protected]
About Future Ready Initiative
The Future Ready Initiative (FRI) is the Ismaili Council for Canada’s flagship service delivery organization, established on April 1, 2021, to support the community’s recovery and progress following the global pandemic. FRI works to improve quality of life by providing personalized family development plans, wraparound case management, and livelihoods coaching and career services that foster long-term economic and social well-being. Through partnerships with educational institutions and cross-sectoral organizations, FRI connects the community to curated opportunities in education, skills development, and career advancement. Guided by the Ismaili Council for Canada and supported by a national network of volunteers and professionals, FRI continues to empower individuals, strengthen families, and prepare communities to thrive across Canada.
About Skills for Change
Founded in 1982, Skills for Change (SfC) is a leading national non-profit organization committed to advancing the economic and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and underserved communities across Canada. For over four decades, we have been known for pioneering programs that anticipate and respond to shifting labour market and societal trends. Each year, SfC delivers 20+ programs and services to over 20,000 people, including newcomers, immigrants, refugees, women, seniors, youth, Black Canadians, and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Our offerings span settlement, language training, employment, career development, mental health, leadership, mentorship, sustainability, climate action, and more. Guided by a social justice lens, our work is anchored in equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Skills for Change continues to be a trusted partner and thought leader, shaping innovative solutions that strengthen communities and contribute to Canada’s prosperity.
About Jumpstart Refugee Talent
Jumpstart Refugee Talent is an international, refugee-led charitable organization, headquartered in Toronto, Canada with a network of offices throughout Canada and around the world. Our work is dedicated to supporting the economic inclusion of refugees, refugee claimants, and forcibly displaced individuals, by connecting them with meaningful employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. We are also committed to assisting displaced people in finding durable solutions by leveraging labour mobility pathways and ensuring their relocation and successful integration into new communities.
About World Education Services
Founded in 1974, World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise that supports the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students. From evaluating academic credentials to shaping policy, designing programs, and providing philanthropic funding, we partner with a diverse set of organizations, leaders, and networks to uplift individuals and drive systems change.
Media Contact: Mina Sharif, Communications Manager, Jumpstart Refugee Talent, [email protected]
2025 10 15 TRHE Press Release 1