IKEA Canada has launched a coast-to-coast program that will support the company in hiring 250 refugees over the next three years. The program will help refugees join the workforce and develop new skills, supporting their integration into local communities across the country. IKEA Canada will also benefit from their skills and talents in its stores and throughout its operations.
“At IKEA, we are guided by a simple, yet powerful vision: to create a better everyday life for the many people,” said Michael Ward, President of IKEA Canada. “Our national refugee employment program will not only provide refugees with career opportunities and job training, but it also provides IKEA the opportunity to create a diverse and inclusive work environment where individual differences are celebrated.”
“MOSAIC is excited to partner with IKEA on their refugee employment initiative. MOSAIC has a long history of delivering programs and providing services that are responsive to the emerging needs of various refugee groups. This partnership further enhances MOSAIC’s offerings by providing refugees with an opportunity to connect directly with IKEA, an organization committed to supporting refugees in securing sustainable employment and leading to successful integration into the larger community,” said Etab Saad, Manager of MOSAIC’s Employment Programs.
IKEA has a longstanding commitment of supporting refugees through humanitarian efforts with the IKEA Foundation. Since 2010, it has partnered with the UNHCR, helping to providing shelter, care and education to families and children in refugee camps and surrounding communities in parts of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Additionally, in 2015, IKEA Canada supported Canada’s resettlement of Syrian refugees through a donation of $190,000 in home furnishings to aid families while they settled into their new homes. Through this program, IKEA Canada was able to support nearly 200 families from across the country. Today’s announcement continues IKEA’s commitment to refugees a step further, moving from short-term settlement needs to long-term employment goals.
IKEA Group is a leading home furnishing retailer with 357 stores in more than 29 countries worldwide, which are visited by 817 million people every year. IKEA Canada has 14 stores, an eCommerce virtual store, five Pick-up and order points and 17 Collection Points. Last year, IKEA Canada welcomed 30 million visitors to its stores and 104 million visitors to the IKEA.ca website. Founded in 1943, IKEA’s business philosophy is to offer a wide range of products of good design and function at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them. For more information on IKEA Canada, please please visit ikea.ca.
