Kitchener tech firm welcomes newest hire with help from refugee-matching group

Kitchener's Mohammed Hakmihas spent the past six years living in Lebanon after war broke out in his home country of Syria.

On Tuesday, he started work at a Kitchener tech firm thanks to a special program that helps companies hire skilled refugees.

"I'm so excited and so happy," Hakmisaid.

With the help of the non-profit organizationTalent Beyond Boundaries (TBB), Bonfire was able to hire Hakmiand help him relocate in Kitchener.

TBBhas been matchingrefugees with companies that are in need of theirskills in the United States,Canada and Australia.

Kris Braun, director of engineering at Bonfire, worked closely with TBBandofferedHakmia job in the company's engineering department in April 2018.

Now, oneyear later, Hakmi is living and working in Canada.

"When we saw Mohammed walk through the sliding doors at the airport, it just became so real," Braun said as he and a number of staff from TBBwaited for Hakmitoarriveat Toronto's Pearson Airport on March 20.

"This program has changed my life," Hakmi said, adding hehopes to be able to bring his family to Canada one day.

Hakmi is one of a number of refugees that Bonfire hopes to hire through TBB.

Braun said they are ready to hire again and hopes they can set an example for other local tech companies.

"We're very interested in building a movement of other companies in Waterloo region who will join us in hiring the next 10, 20 [staff] through Talent Beyond Boundaries," Braun said.