VANCOUVER, BC – Last night, local immigrant-serving organization MOSAIC honoured network security giant Fortinet Technology (Canada) Inc. at their Annual General Meeting with the prestigious Employer Recognition Award in appreciation of their continuous support to newcomers.“It’s a truly humbling experience,” said Fortinet Human Resources Manager Joyce Chow “we feel so lucky that organizations like MOSAIC exist to connect us with qualified professionals who also have the added benefit of international experience and connections. Fortinet is a global company with over 35 offices and 2,200 staff all over the world – we continue to thrive because we think outside of the borders when it comes to talent acquisition.”The criteria for the Employer Recognition Award is to recognize employers for their leadership and commitment in providing a workplace that supports the principles of multiculturalism and equity by having a diverse, multicultural staff; providing a work environment that acknowledges and works with immigrants and refugees with language barriers; and supporting immigrants’ and refugees’ integration into the Canadian workforce by providing opportunities such as work placements, job shadowing, informational interviewing, volunteer and employment.“They [Fortinet Technologies (Canada) Inc.] hired me because of my skills and didn’t just discard me because I didn’t yet have local experience. It’s not common for new immigrants to get work in their field when they arrive to Canada. I feel very fortunate that Fortinet recognized my expertise and gave me a chance to prove myself – they have been very supportive of me.” Said MOSAIC client and recent Brasilian immigrant Mauricio Silva Barrios who is now a Software Development QA Engineer with Fortinet Technologies (Canada) Inc.For the past two years, Fortinet has actively participated in MOSAIC’s job fairs and employer presentations to engage internationally trained professionals; hired a number of newcomers, regularly submitted job openings to be circulated amongst clients; provided letters of support to government in support of continued funding to MOSAIC’s various programs to support immigrants and refugees; and generously donated to the MOSAIC’s annual fundraiser Festival MOSAIC.“MOSAIC salutes Fortinet and all of the companies that we work with who are leaders in hiring newcomers.” Said Joan Andersen, Director of Employment & Language Programs at MOSAIC.Past recipients of MOSAIC’s Employer of the Year Award include Vancity, Coastal Contacts, BC Hydro, Vancouver Coastal Health, Canada Safeway Limited, Open Box Integration, Small Potatoes Urban Delivery (SPUD), Granville Island Hotel, SerVantage Services Corp., Savoury City Foods Ltd. & SGS Canada Inc., Que Pasa Mexican Foods Ltd., White Spot Ltd., The Metropolitan Hotel, Golden Bough Herb Company and Capers.
