in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, Ja nu ar y 20 ,2 02 2 | 4 At Village Orthodontics in Oakville, we specialize in beautiful smiles using clear aligners and traditional braces. New Patients Welcome Schedule your complimentary consultation today! 647-496-1424 2-2983 Westoak Trails Blvd. Oakville villageortho.ca Book your Personalized Smile Consultation today Do you know someone between the ages of 6 - 17 who is making a difference within their community? Nominate them for an ONTARIO JUNIOR CITIZEN AWARD DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 11, 2022 40TH ANNIVERSARY Brought to you by Nomination forms are available from this newspaper, and at www.ocna.org/juniorcitizen. Email jr.citizen@ocna.org for more information. NOMINATIONS WANTED who was on the local job hunting scene last year. The Acton resident said she came across many en- try level positions in man- ufacturing, warehousing and hospitality, but she was looking to put her 30- plus years of customer ser- vice and office manage- ment skills to use. In the end, she accepted a customer service posi- tion last fall at one third of her previous wage. "This pandemic has changed many things, (in- cluding) job opportunities and job expectations," she said. "And that doesn't even touch on the COVID protocols -- cleaning, screening and vaccination expectations -- that add an additional level to the pro- cess." The pandemic has also impacted Carol Primo's employment efforts. The 72-year-old -- who said she has to work as the pension money she re- ceives through the govern- ment isn't enough to pay the rent -- had a job through a temp agency, but was the first to be let go when the company started scaling back operations. The Burlington woman said she's done extensive application processes and testing for many different companies, but so far the positions haven't panned out. "I have to find a job. I don't mind taking any job as long it brings in some money and I don't have to worry about paying my rent," she said, noting she's now working with the Goodwill career centre to secure a position. "I have food to eat, I have clothes on my back, I have a bed to sleep in. All I care about is keeping the roof over my head." Long application pro- cesses are among the chal- lenges facing those who are new to Canada and Halton Region as well. According to the staff at Halton Multicultural Council (HMC) Connec- tions, which provide em- ployment supports for im- migrants, job-seeking newcomers are also up against: a lack of creden- tial recognition and Cana- dian work experience, lan- guage barriers, lack of mentoring in their profes- sion, and much more. "In addition, due to CO- VID, the kinds of jobs that are available are labourer jobs," said HMC Connec- tions executive director Kim Jenkinson, noting that even before the pan- demic, those types of posi- tions would often go un- filled. "Newcomers have much higher career expec- tations, and typically a high education and work experience that don't suit those jobs in the first place." Among those who've came to Canada and Hal- ton with big career aspira- tions is Syed (who asked that his last name not be used). He arrived from Pa- kistan in June 2020, know- ing that his search for work could be made that much more difficult by the ongoing pandemic. He got in touch with the HMC Connections team, which began guiding him on the path to employment in Canada. "I'm a pharmacist by ed- ucation, so I jumped on my bike and started peddling and dropping my resumés to all the pharmacies that were in reach," he said. The Oakville man's per- sistence paid off as he was offered a volunteer posi- tion in a pharmacy, which gave him Canadian experi- ence that ultimately trans- lated into a job as a phar- macy assistant. After upgrading his skills with a certification and taking advantage of a mentorship program, Syed has now realized his long- term goal of working in the corporate world as a pro- ject manager. He acknowledges that he's among the lucky mi- nority of newcomers to land a position in their field upon arrival and credits HMC Connections with his success. "They don't give you fish -- they teach you how to fish." STORY BEHIND THE STORY: With COVID-19 continuing to have an effect on most aspects of life, we wanted to take a closer look at how local job hunters are faring in a pandemic market. NEWS Continued from page 3 Local residents looking for jobs that match their experience and skill level say the options are limited at the moment. Melanie Hennessey/Metroland JOB HUNTING ESPECIALLY TOUGH FOR NEW CANADIANS