Expanding Horizons: TBB's Hiring Mission in Argentina
From left to right: Daniela Skiba, UNHCR; Bassel Ramli, Jumpstart Refugee Talent; Gabriela Muñoz and Lara Dyer, Talent Beyond Boundaries.
In April, Lara Dyer, Canada Director for Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB), led a hiring mission in Buenos Aires, Argentina, accompanied by two Canadian employers from the long-term care sector. The trip was part of TBB's broader strategy to create safe and regular migration routes for skilled refugees from Latin America to all of our destination countries, including Canada. While focused on connecting displaced talent with employers needing their skills, the mission also aimed to explore new partnership opportunities with local and regional organizations working towards our goal of opening labor mobility pathways for displaced individuals.
Why Argentina?
The decision to hold the hiring mission in Argentina was based on several factors. Both the Canadian and U.S. governments are seeking safer, more regular migration routes due to the significant increase in irregular migration from Latin America to North America.
TBB already has a strong partnership with HIAS in Peru and Ecuador, where they support Canada’s Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP). This partnership has successfully helped individuals like Reinaldo, a Venezuelan baker who now lives in Canada with his family.
In consultation with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Argentina emerged as a natural next step.
Our partner, Jumpstart Refugee Talent, collaborated with Coalición por Venezuela, a network promoting human rights and democratic principles in Venezuela, to find a promising local partner in Argentina. They identified ASOENVEAR, an association of Venezuelan nurses in Argentina. We all agreed that this partnership could help address the high demand for healthcare workers in Canada.
The decision to explore opportunities in Argentina emerged as a strategic move. With a notable rise in irregular migration from Latin America to North America, governments, including Canada and the United States, are actively seeking safer, more regulated migration pathways. TBB had previously conducted a scoping mission in Colombia. However, regulatory requirements in Colombia required a longer implementation timeline, prompting a shift in focus to Argentina, which not only offered a more expedient pathway for engagement but welcomed us with enthusiastic local partners and the support of entities such as UNHCR Argentina and the Canadian Embassy in the country.
Building Connections
TBB hosted a kick-off reception during the mission, allowing candidates to interact informally with employers. The candidates' enthusiasm and professionalism were evident, leading to genuine connections and even some light-hearted moments. Lara noted, "The candidates displayed great courage in attending the opening reception. It's not easy to walk into a room full of strangers, knowing that your future lies in their hands, to some extent." These interactions underscored the human element of the mission, highlighting the candidates' bravery and determination to use their skills to access a safe migration pathway.
The trip yielded promising immediate outcomes, with approximately 20 job offers currently under consideration. Both Tri-County Mennonite Homes and St. Joseph's Care Group are quite impressed with the talent pool. Most importantly, the mission successfully raised awareness about the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) program, prompting increased interest from potential partners in supporting refugee labor mobility.
Steven Harrison, CEO of Tri-County Mennonite Homes poses with candidates.
Key Learnings
The Buenos Aires mission was a significant step in expanding TBB’s footprint in Latin America, it not only opened new avenues for skilled refugees but also reinforced the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing global migration challenges. As we continue to build on these foundations, we look forward to creating more opportunities and strengthening connections between refugees and employers worldwide. Sharing our learnings is equally important, as it allows us to build on the knowledge gained from the trip. This collective wisdom will guide our future strategies and enhance our efforts to support displaced talent in finding meaningful employment and stable lives.
1. High interest and engagement: The mission fostered greater interest and confidence in the EMPP among local partners and refugees. The partners, including UNHCR and local organizations, expressed their commitment to supporting the program, while the candidates showed enthusiasm for the opportunities it offers.
“One partner commented, ‘I was a fan of the EMPP before you came, but now I’m more confident that it works,” added Lara. “That’s a great outcome for us, and underlines the value in getting out of our usual context to meet with local partners and stakeholders in our source countries. The employers, too, said there’s no substitute for meeting candidates in person because they can help them feel at ease and assure them that, as employers, they want them to succeed.”
2. Challenges with language proficiency: One significant finding is that many candidates had limited English proficiency. While their professional skills were impressive, improving their English or French skills is crucial for successful integration into the Canadian workforce. At the same time, language training and support must be integrated into migration processes to not miss out on qualified talent.
"We spoke with hundreds of candidates with the right skills profiles, but in the end, only a few dozen had the needed language proficiency,” Lara explained. "This is similar to what we’re seeing in other refugee-hosting countries, where skills upgrading – particularly language skills – must be provided to realize the full potential of refugee labor mobility."
At Talent Beyond Boundaries, we are proactively working on creating talent pipelines. We work with employers to recruit candidates who are job-ready, right now, and at the same time, we work with partners – notably, UNHCR - to identify training and skills upgrading opportunities that can help refugees be more competitive for job opportunities in the future, too.
3. A wellspring of talent: Venezuelan refugees in Argentina demonstrated strong professional skills and a willingness to integrate into the Canadian workforce. Argentina hosts many skilled healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, who could meet the needs of Canadian employers. Tri-County Mennonite Homes and St. Joseph’s Care Group, the employers on this trip, found several candidates suitable for their facilities.
Steven Harrison, CEO of Tri-County Mennonite Homes in Southern Ontario, shared that he was struck by the caliber and credentials of the individuals he interviewed while in Argentina - who are currently living in locations across Latin America and the Caribbean. “The willingness to discuss their journey and the extensive experience many had truly struck me,” said Steven.
4. Equitable access to safe migration: While many Venezuelan refugees are integrating effectively in Argentina, the situation remains fluid. There is still a need for durable solutions for refugees seeking stability and long-term opportunities, particularly for those from non-Spanish speaking countries like Haiti, Senegal, and Guyana. Therefore, the mission highlighted the importance of providing refugees equitable access to safe migration pathways. TBB’s approach emphasizes refugees' agency, allowing them to choose whether to integrate locally, return home if safe, or migrate to a third country like Canada.
A Canadian employer’s perspective
One of the employers who accompanied TBB on the scoping mission, Steven Harrison, CEO of Tri-County Mennonite Homes, shared his motivation for joining: “The opportunity to look at the potential of displaced talent is one which I feel is the most undervalued and overlooked opportunity that exists to address the shortage of Health Human Resources in Canada and specifically in Ontario. This was part of the continuing journey to fill those gaps and, more importantly, demonstrate to those who do not have experience or are skeptical that, indeed, there is displaced talent globally that should be considered to fill the gaps we are experiencing here in Canada. This is about giving highly skilled people an opportunity to experience meaningful, safe, and professional opportunities here in Canada.”
When we asked Steven about what he would say to other Canadian employers who hesitate about hiring refugee talent from abroad, he said:
“Think globally, broaden your perspectives, and be comfortable with not only hiring displaced talent from around the world, but through the EMPP giving individuals an opportunity to become Canadians. TBB and Jumpstart are incredible partners to work with, and through this work have demonstrated how that collaboration can lead to remarkable opportunities.”
Steven added that not only does the recruitment and employment of displaced talent make sound financial sense, it is an opportunity to meet staffing needs and address the shortfalls many are facing. “Bringing internationally trained, highly skilled and determined individuals to bear on the shortfalls we are facing here in Canada is a significant step forward. It is not the only solution, and should not be seen as such, but it is an incredible opportunity to grow your organization and be part of what has always made Canada the nation we are. “
Join us in creating opportunities and changing lives, one job at a time.
Talent Beyond Boundaries is committed to connecting skilled refugees with meaningful employment opportunities. If you are an employer looking to hire talented professionals and contribute to a more inclusive workforce, we invite you to explore the potential of hiring skilled refugee talent. Join us in making a difference and enriching your team with diverse, skilled individuals ready to contribute and grow.
To learn more about how you can hire displaced talent in Canada, click here.