Alexa trained as a pharmacist in Venezuela. “I had a stable personal and professional life,” she said. “I had a clear sense of who I was and what I knew how to do.”

When Venezuela became too insecure to stay, Alexa moved to Peru, where she lived for almost seven years. She worked her way up from a cashier job in a pharmacy, to a more knowledge-based role. She calls that time a period of “relearning” even as she faced barrier after barrier trying to get her pharmacy license again. She was paid less than Peruvians too.

Whatever her progress, Alexa knew she couldn’t live there permanently. Peru, like many countries hosting a large refugee population, has too few resources and services to meet demand. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has reported that half of the displaced population in the region can’t afford three daily meals. And there are few routes to permanent status even for those who want to stay. 

Alexa and her husband connected with TalentLift while in Peru and searching for opportunities. Both registered their skills on our talent platform, where displaced job seekers become visible to Canadian employers. Her husband, Douglas, is an electrical engineer and soon landed a job with a roofing manufacturer that partnered with TalentLift to find talent for facilities across Canada.

The couple is now living in Hawkesbury, a town on the Ottawa River, where Douglas works and where Alexa is working on her English as one stepping stone to re-enter her pharmacy career. She’s hopeful for what’s ahead. “My dreams now are closely connected to reclaiming my professional identity,” she said.

There are many thousands of people living as refugees globally who aspire to the same goal. More than 41,000 displaced job seekers have registered with TalentLift. They are talented women and men with competitive skills, or the potential to grow, many with interrupted education and careers after escaping war or other persecution. They are keen for an opportunity to develop, put their skills to use, and contribute in a safe new home.

Canada has continued its global leadership in innovative solutions for refugees by designing a more accessible economic stream for talented people in displacement. With nearly 43 million people living as refugees worldwide, and few options to earn a living and plan for the future, there is an urgent need to expand access to skills training and job opportunities for displaced job seekers.

TD is donating $275,000 over two years to support TalentLift’s work connecting displaced job seekers with training and job opportunities in Canada, including upskilling and access to employer recruitment.

A key aspect supported by this funding is practical training and certification, so people can build in-demand skills. These opportunities can also accelerate pathways to a Canadian credential, expanding the pool of job-ready talent and connecting more people, like Alexa and Douglas, with employers across Canada.

Alexa smiles when asked about what’s next for her in Canada. Over the next five years, she hopes to be working in pharmacy or a related field. “I see myself fully working in my profession or in a role aligned with my background. Integrated into the Canadian systems. Confident in myself.” 

Watch Alexa share her experience here.

Candidates living in refugee circumstances and seeking a job in Canada can join TalentLift. Employers seeking global talent while engaging their team in something transformative can start hiring.