Awards recognize recruiting, integrating and leveraging skilled immigrant talent

[vimeo 49168588]

TRIEC is pleased to announce the call for entries for the 7th Annual Immigrant Success (IS) Awards, sponsored by RBC. Each year, TRIEC presents the IS Awards to recognize innovation and leadership in integrating skilled immigrants into the Greater Toronto Region labour market.

If you or your organization deserve to be recognized but aren’t yet among our alumni – don’t miss your chance this year. Employers and individuals are invited to apply or submit a nomination by Thursday, November 15, 2012.

“Through the IS Awards, we’ve recognised 29 trailblazers – employers and individuals – who have leveraged the talents of skilled immigrants for business success and implemented best practices to build inclusive and diverse workplaces,” says Joan Atlin, interim Executive Director of TRIEC. “We are looking for this year’s innovators who will inspire other employers.”

This year, new award categories will shine the light on leading practices among both large and small employers. Winners will be recognized in the media and by their peers as leaders in an area of increasing importance to the Canadian economy. RBC will host a reception to honour the winners in spring 2013.

“RBC believes that skilled immigrants are vital to the success of our business, as well as Canada’s economy and our communities,” says Zabeen Hirji, Chief Human Resources Officer at RBC. “The IS Award winners reflect a growing momentum to embrace immigrant talent as an important part of the solution to address demographic changes and support innovation in the region. We are proud to play a part in this process and look forward to celebrating this year’s winners.” 

Last year, for the 6th Annual IS Awards, the winners were Career Bridge (Career Edge Organization), Huawei Canada, Maxxam Analytics, and Zuleika Sgro, Talent Manager and HR Business Partner at Questrade.  

“The spirit and message behind the IS Award is truly inspirational,” says Zuleika. “The award has shone a like on the best practices we’ve implemented at Questrade and has been instrumental in promoting the great things we do. It has made everyone so proud to be a part of a socially responsible company”.

There are four IS Awards:

NEW – RBC Immigrant Advantage Award for SMEs
This award will recognize a small or medium-sized organization that demonstrates the business impact of leveraging the skills of immigrants, yielding tangible results for both business and skilled immigrants.

CBC Immigrant Advantage Award
This award will recognize an organization that demonstrates the business impact of leveraging the skills of immigrants, yielding tangible results for both business and immigrants.

Toronto Star Award for Excellence in Workplace Integration
This award will recognize ONE practice or a suite of practices related to ONE of the following: sourcing, recruiting, onboarding, integration, inclusion or promotion of skilled immigrants. The practice or suite of practices must be innovative, and fully implemented and established with positive results that are transforming the organization.

Canadian HR Reporter Individual Achievement Award
This award will recognize an individual who has demonstrated leadership and innovation in HR practice in integrating skilled immigrants in the workplace.

Online applications can be completed in minutes. Learn more and access the online entry forms.

A panel of senior human resource professionals, business executives and industry stakeholders will judge the IS Award submissions. Learn more about the selection committee.

The IS Awards are a program of the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC), sponsored by RBC with media partners Canadian HR Reporter, CBC Toronto and The Toronto Star.  

Previous winners include Career Bridge (Career Edge Organization), CH2M HILL Canada Limited, Deloitte, Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP, George Brown College, Huawei Canada, I3 International, Maxxam Analytics, Nytric Limited, Pitney Bowes, Samtack, St. Micheal’s Hospital, Steam Whistle Brewing, Thales Canada, Transportation, Toronto Foundation for Student Success and Xerox Research Centre of Canada, as well as individuals from American Express Technologies, CIBC, Ernst & Young, KPMG, Procter & Gamble, Questrade and TD Bank Financial Group.  Read more about past winners.