TRIEC Annual Event 2025- Thrive: How We Can Innovate to Support Newcomers, Employers & Our Economy

By Jenna Kachur
Program Coordinator, Employer Partner Relations and Mentor Recruitment, TRIEC

On March 26, 2025, the TRIEC Annual Event brought together an inspiring group of changemakers, employers, immigrant-serving agencies, newcomers, and leaders of immigrant associations from the Greater Toronto Area- all committed to building a resilient and growing economy where immigrant talent plays a key role. As the pace of change accelerates due to AI, digital transformation, and shifting immigration policies, Canada’s workforce landscape is evolving.

This year’s signature event, Thrive: How We Can Innovate to Support Newcomers, Employers & Our Economy, focused on leveraging innovation to drive success. With a dynamic agenda designed to ignite bold conversations and uncover fresh ideas, we tackled critical labour market needs, addressed barriers to immigrant employment, and co-created strategies to fast-track newcomer professionals into meaningful careers.

Igniting Change Through Dialogue: Innovating for a Thriving Workforce

The event gained momentum, with a welcome and innovation framing from our MC for the evening- Simon Trevarthen, TRIEC’s Interim CEO. His infectious energy and dynamic presence, set the set the stage for an evening of deep engagement and big ideas. Simon then introduced the theme of the event: How We Can Innovate to Support Newcomers, Employers & Our Economy, emphasizing the urgency of adapting to today’s fast-evolving workforce dynamics. The atmosphere was charged with a shared commitment to driving impactful change!

As the conversation unfolded, it quickly turned to the reality of Canada’s changing labour market. Despite growing public concerns around immigration, 68% of Canadians still recognize the positive impact of immigration on the economy. With newcomers averaging just 29.3 years of age, this talent pool is not only young but dynamic, ready to contribute to the future of the economy and we need to tap into this opportunity!

The pace of change, driven by AI, and digital transformation, demands that we rethink our approach to recruitment and talent development. The event wasn’t just an opportunity to discuss these challenges- it was a call to action! Even in these uncertain times, by working together, we can shape a more dynamic and inclusive economy, where employers have access to top talent and immigrants can reach the summit of their potential. In this context, embracing innovation, investing in emerging technologies, and ensuring that we recruit diverse talent are crucial for building a resilient, growing economy.

He outlined six key trends shaping the workforce:

• AI is everywhere – influencing industries from finance to construction.
• Leapfrog connectivity – transforming communication and remote work.
• Biotech breakthroughs – accelerating advancements in healthcare.
• Clean energy innovations – reshaping industrial landscapes.
• Future mobility – redefining transportation and logistics.
• Machine learning automation – revolutionizing decision-making.

AI, Innovation, and the Future of Work- A Power-Packed Discussion

Next, a power-packed panel featuring top voices AI and technology took center stage to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of work. They discussed the critical skills newcomers need to thrive in this evolving landscape, the role employers can play, and how AI opens doors to new opportunities that we must harness.

Esteemed panellists:

🔹 Ramtin Attar, Co-Founder & CEO, Promise Robotics– showcased how AI-powered robots can revolutionize construction, helping to meet Canada’s urgent housing needs.
🔹 Jason Shim, Chief Digital Officer, Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience– highlighted the need to integrate AI across organizations and emphasized the importance of “learning how to learn” as AI continues to evolve.
🔹 Bindhu Alvar Thiruvenkadathan, CIO, Wealth Management, BMO & TRIEC Board Member– spoke about AI’s role in customer service, risk management, and process automation, while also stressing the importance of soft skills in an AI-driven world.

Key insights from the discussion included:

✅ AI will not replace human skills- it will amplify them. While AI can automate tasks, human judgment, creativity, and adaptability remain irreplaceable.
✅ Soft skills matter more than ever. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and relationship-building will be key differentiators in an AI-driven job market.
✅ Newcomers need visibility, not just skills. Many newcomers have the right skills but struggle to showcase them. AI can help match their experience to job requirements and even assist in building their personal brand.

Bridging Gaps: Insights from Roundtable Discussions

Building on the energy of the panel, the event transitioned into an impact-driven roundtable discussion, with conversations on each table facilitated by a table leader. These dynamic discussions focused on how AI can be harnessed to tackle barriers to immigrant employment and unlock new opportunities. Facilitators guided participants in brainstorming and deliberating on strategies to harness newcomer talent for the new economy, exploring innovative ways AI can address workforce challenges, bridge gaps, and drive systemic change.

Some standout ideas included:

💡 AI as a tool for overcoming the “Canadian experience” barrier—By analyzing job postings and identifying skills gaps, AI could provide personalized upskilling recommendations for newcomers.

💡 Using AI to scale mentorship and networking—Traditional mentorship is invaluable, but AI-driven platforms could help connect newcomers with the right people faster, making networking more accessible and efficient.

💡 Educating both newcomers and Canadian-born professionals—AI could be leveraged not just to support newcomers but also to train employers and hiring teams to recognize and address unconscious biases.

The Path Forward

The event concluded on a high note, with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to harnessing the power of AI and immigrant talent to drive Canada’s future growth.

As AI continues to transform industries, Canada must position itself not just as an adopter but as a leader in AI-driven innovation. This means ensuring that newcomers- the talent who will build, refine, and sustain these innovations- have the right support to succeed and reach the summit of their potential!

At TRIEC, we’re committed to bridging this gap by fast-tracking immigrants into careers, while supporting employers access a dynamic pool of newcomer talent that meets their ever- evolving needs, propelling Canada’s workforce to new heights! Through collaboration and innovation, we can ensure that newcomers, employers, and our economy truly thrive.