Bruce Smith, Scotiabank’s Staffing and Planning Senior Manager, is considered a champion to new immigrants. In 2012 Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia presented Bruce with the Dick Smyth award recognizing his involvement and commitment. It’s a contribution that continues through his dedication to hiring new immigrants, accommodating the English in the Workplace program and sitting on the Employer Advisory Council.
Bruce is equally complimentary to Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia. “Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia creates a community; that’s what they do; there are so many cultures and somehow they create a great environment.”
His involvement goes back several years to when an employee told him about Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia. He joined her at a meeting of the Work Placement program staff where he learned about the organization’s clients and programs. He began to inform Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia about entry level positions such as customer representatives and personal banking officers, as well as openings in Scotiabank’s Business Service Centre. Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia started finding suitable people and sending him resumes for six-week work placements. “I look at them and say oh wow. If someone can show us what they can do in six weeks, that’s a great interview.”
Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia creates a community; that’s what they do; there are so many cultures and somehow they create a great environment.
Many in the program stay on at the bank. “When you look at the talent that Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia refers to us, there are very well-educated people who have had great experience in banking and customer service roles in other countries.” Immigrants who speak Cantonese and Mandarin have been an asset at branches with clients from the Asian community. “They understand the culture and build relationships. It all comes back to employees who reflect our client base.”
Bruce says Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia has one vital attribute: “Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia listens.” For instance, he informed the organization that there would be opportunities outside Halifax, so Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia made it possible for a new immigrant to get to Truro. “Truro fell in love with the guy and hired him.” He has since, at his request, been transferred to New Brunswick. “Even in rural communities new immigrants have worked out well and been embraced by the bank and its clients.” He adds that multicultural committees at several branches make clients and staff aware of immigrant issues.
Scotiabank has also used the English in the Workplace program for new employees needing assistance. And what Bruce describes as “good things along the way” continue such as an improved website and online access to resumes. “It’s a fantastic organization. Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia is doing well and we’re doing well. In the future we are not going to be able to fill jobs without immigration. At the end of the day you have to be sure you’re hiring good people who are loyal. And if you treat them well they’ll stay.”
Bruce has also been an active member of the Employer Advisory Council since its conception. “It’s a great sharing of information where we try to assist Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia in doing things better, or easier.”
It’s a relationship he appreciates. “We love working with Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia. They’re so passionate; they love what they do. When they’re working hard like that we can’t help but get enthused.”