Candidates often ask us if we can review their profiles or provide tips. This seemingly simple question uncovers a surprising number of issues that many candidates share. 

We have a vast pool of talented individuals with incredible experience and skills who, despite their potential, often get lost in the system. The main reasons behind this tend to be  lack of detailed information about their experience, skills, and past roles, or the fact that they leave their profiles in "draft status",  meaning they haven't completed and submitted their Talent Catalog (TC) profile, and making them ineligible for our services.

All candidates need to work on optimizing their profile because it is their single most important tool for getting noticed by our recruiters.

Think of your profile like a shopfront. An optimized profile has a bright sign and open doors - recruiters can see what you offer. An unoptimized profile? Dim lighting and a scrawled sign. Recruiters walk right past.

Here are the key reasons why optimizing your profile is essential:

1. To Be Discoverable

Our recruiters don't read every single profile. They use keywords and filters to search for candidates who match available job opportunities.

• Without optimization: If a recruiter searches for an "accountant" with "QuickBooks" experience, but your profile just says "finance work," recruiters won’t see you and your profile won't appear in their search results.

• With optimization: By using the right keywords ("accountant," "bookkeeping," "QuickBooks," "payroll"), your profile shows up, and you get a chance.
  

2. To Clearly Communicate Your Value

A job title alone doesn't explain your skills. Optimization translates your experience into valuable abilities that an employer can understand.

• Without optimization: A profile just says "electrician." The recruiter is left guessing: What kind of electrician? Residential? Industrial? What can they actually do?

• With optimization: The profile says "electrician" and includes bullet points such as:  "installed and repaired wiring in residential buildings," "diagnosed and fixed circuit breaker issues," and "read technical blueprints." Now, the recruiter knows exactly what you can do for their company.
  

3. To Speed Up the Hiring Process

A complete, optimized profile gives a recruiter all the information they need to make a quick decision to contact you for an initial interview (in-take call). If your profile is incomplete, they may simply move on to the next candidate whose skills are more clearly presented.

But don’t worry, we got you covered!

Here are main tips to optimize your Talent Catalog profile for international job opportunities:

• 1. Use English for Everything

  1. Your entire profile, including job titles, descriptions, and skills, must be in clear, professional English. While we still consider other languages, English remains the easiest way for our recruiters to find you.

• 2. Complete All Sections

  A partial profile is a hidden profile. Make sure you fill out every section, especially your up-to-date contact information, education, and occupation.

• 3. Complete the Education Section

  Clearly list all completed degrees and certifications. This confirms your expertise and helps recruiters accurately place your background.

• 4. Write Detailed Job Descriptions

  Do not leave this section blank. For each job, describe your specific tasks and responsibilities. This is the most important part of your profile.

• 5. Use Bullet Points and Action Verbs

  Instead of paragraphs, list your duties as bullet points. Start each point with a strong action verb (e.g., managed, developed, repaired, operated, supervised, etc. ).

• 6. Quantify Your Achievements

  Use numbers to show your impact. For example, mention the size of the team you managed ("supervised five technicians"), the volume of work (handled 50+ customer inquiries daily"), or any improvements you made ("increased efficiency by 15%").

• 7. List Specific Skills, Tools, and Software

  Include keywords that recruiters search for. Mention specific equipment you operated (e.g., PCR machines, commercial ovens, circuit testers) and software you used (e.g., Microsoft Excel, QuickBooks, AutoCAD).

• 8. Use Standard, Professional Job Titles

  Avoid abbreviations, slang, or vague terms. Use internationally recognized titles like "accountant," "pastry chef," or "residential electrician."

• 9. Ensure Your Work History is Complete and Accurate

  Check that your dates are correct and match the years of experience you claim. Explain or fix any gaps or overlapping jobs.

• 10. Avoid Repetition Across Roles

  Each role description should highlight new skills and challenges. If you had similar duties, vary the verbs and focus on what made that specific role unique.

• 11. Proofread Carefully

  Read your entire profile to fix any spelling or grammar mistakes. A clean, error-free profile shows professionalism and attention to detail.

• 12. Use the “Anything else we should know?” section

  Add any information you find relevant, this can help highlight your profile or express aspects not covered in the previous questions.

• 13. Upload your CV

  To help us assess your status more efficiently, please upload your CV and other important documents such as a copy of your passport, university certificate, professional certifications, or language certificates. Keep your CV updated with any changes in your information. This allows recruiters and employers to quickly verify your eligibility for programmes and reach out to you.

• 14. Update Your Contact Information

  It is critical to keep your phone number and email address current. These are the primary contact details our team and potential employers use to reach you. Update them immediately if they change.

Remember, your Talent Catalog profile is more than a form; it's your global introduction. By investing time in these optimizations, you're not just filling out fields; you're actively opening doors to international opportunities. You have the skills and the experience. Now, use this guide to ensure your profile does them justice. We are here to help you succeed, and it all starts with a profile that truly reflects your potential.

Diese Pressemitteilung auf Deutsch lesen

• Germany needs 400,000 skilled workers annually – the new Talent Catalog from Talent Beyond Boundaries provides access to over 134,000 qualified refugees worldwide.

• Focus on High-Demand Professions: IT experts, renewable energy specialists, and healthcare workers can immigrate via the Skilled Immigration Act.

• Proven Concept Expands to Germany: More than 400 successful placements in other European countries, supported by the Robert Bosch Foundation and federal ministries.
  

BERLIN — In response to Germany’s skilled labor shortages, the nonprofit organization Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) has launched the new initiative ”International Talent Gateway” to connect qualified skilled refugee workers from abroad with German employers. Given the projected need for  400,000 additional skilled workers annually, TBB's initiative taps into a previously overlooked talent pool, offering employers access to the more than 134,000 displaced professionals already registered in the Talent Catalog, an open-source platform developed by TBB.

"The current state of the German labor market presents a unique opportunity to simultaneously address labor shortages and support displaced professionals," says Jérôme Dolling, TBB’s Employer Engagement Lead for Germany. "By integrating displaced professionals into their workforce, German companies can secure essential talent while providing life-changing opportunities for international talent. Our program provides win-win opportunities for employers and talented individuals seeking long-term and secure employment."

The Germany program will initially target the information technology (IT), renewable energy, and healthcare sectors, all of which are experiencing acute labor shortages. By leveraging existing German visa pathways, including the EU Blue Card and Skilled Worker Visa, the program facilitates streamlined professional skills-based migration.

This initiative builds on TBB’s existing success in other European countries, including Belgium, Ireland, Italy, and the United Kingdom, where more than 400 skilled displaced workers have already secured employment opportunities through similar pathways.

TBB works with a broad network of partners in Germany, including immigration law firm Fragomen and the Robert Bosch Stiftung, as well as various federal ministries, UN and non-governmental organizations. Together, they aim to develop safe, sustainable, and scalable solutions that enable displaced professionals to rebuild their lives and contribute their skills to host economies.

German companies interested in addressing their recruitment needs through this innovative talent acquisition approach can contact Talent Beyond Boundaries to learn more about available candidates and program details. For more information, enquire here: Request to hire form

Read this press release in English

• Deutschland braucht jährlich 400.000 Fachkräfte – der neue Talentkatalog von Talent Beyond Boundaries bietet Zugang zu über 134.000 qualifizierten Geflüchteten weltweit

• Fokus auf Mangelberufe: IT-Expert:innen, Fachkräfte für erneuerbare Energien und Gesundheitspersonal können über das Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz  einwandern

• Bewährtes Konzept expandiert nach Deutschland: Bereits über 400 erfolgreiche Vermittlungen in andere europäischen Länder – unterstützt von Robert Bosch Stiftung und Bundesministerien

BERLIN – Als Antwort auf den Fachkräftemangel in Deutschland hat die gemeinnützige Organisation Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) die neue Initiative „Internationale Fachkräfte-Brücke Deutschland“ ins Leben gerufen, die deutsche Arbeitgeber und qualifizierte geflüchtete Fachkräfte aus dem Ausland miteinander verbindet. Angesichts des prognostizierten Bedarfs von jährlich 400.000 zusätzlichen Fachkräften erschließt TBB einen bislang kaum beachteten Talentpool: Mehr als 134.000 geflüchtete Fachkräfte haben sich bereits im sogenannten Talentkatalog registriert – einer von TBB entwickelten Open-Source-Plattform. 

„Die aktuelle Lage des deutschen Arbeitsmarkts ermöglicht es, den hiesigen Fachkräftemangel zu decken und geflüchteten Fachkräften eine neue Perspektive zu geben“, so Jérôme Dolling, TBBs Employer Engagement Lead für Deutschland. „Deutsche Unternehmen können durch die Anwerbung von geflüchteten Fachkräften ihren Personalbedarf decken und den Fachkräften gleichzeitig ein neues Leben ermöglichen - ein Win-Win für Arbeitgeber und talentierte Fachkräfte.“

In Deutschland legt TBB den Fokus zunächst auf besonders betroffene Branchen: IT, erneuerbare Energien und das Gesundheitswesen – Sektoren mit nachweislich akutem Fachkräftebedarf. Die Organisation nutzt dabei die Möglichkeiten des Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetzes, insbesondere die Blaue Karte EU und das Fachkräftevisum, um geflüchteten Menschen mit relevanten Qualifikationen den Zugang zum deutschen Arbeitsmarkt zu ermöglichen. Mit der Ausweitung auf Deutschland baut TBB seine erfolgreiche Arbeit aus anderen europäischen Ländern aus: In Belgien, Irland, Italien und dem Vereinigten Königreich vermittelte die Organisation bereits über 400 qualifizierte Fachkräfte mit Fluchthintergrund in entsprechende Positionen. TBB arbeitet in Deutschland mit einem breiten Partnernetzwerk  zusammen, das die Rechtsanwaltskanzlei Fragomen und die Robert Bosch Stiftung ebenso umfasst wie verschiedene Bundesministerien sowie UN- und Nichtregierungsorganisationen. Das gemeinsame Ziel: sichere, nachhaltige und skalierbare Wege zu schaffen, damit geflüchtete Fachkräfte ein würdevolles Leben aufbauen und gleichzeitig ihre Kompetenzen in die deutsche Wirtschaft einbringen können.

Deutsche Unternehmen, die an diesem innovativen Ansatz zur Personalakquise interessiert sind und ihren Fachkräftebedarf decken möchten, können Talent Beyond Boundaries kontaktieren, um mehr über verfügbare Kandidat:innen und Programmdetails zu erfahren. Weitere Informationen erhalten Sie hier: Einstellungsformular anfragen

[TORONTO, Canada] August 27, 2025 — Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB), a global nonprofit connecting refugees with employers in need of their skills, today announced a new “train to hire” partnership with The Academy of Ophthalmic Education (AOE) in Canada. AOE is an accredited continuing medical education provider and recognized industry hub for training and workforce placement in the eye care sector, addressing the growing shortage of licensed opticians, optometrists, and auxiliary support staff across the industry.

This collaboration focuses on connecting employers with qualified displaced talent while addressing critical labour shortages in Canada's eye care sector. Through the partnership, AOE will develop pre-arrival job readiness and occupation-specific professional training programs for displaced  candidates who are eligible, preparing them to work as optometric assistants and optician technicians in Canada.

"Refugees with the skills and experience that employers need should be able to move internationally for work just like any other applicant," said Lara Dyer, Chief Solutions Officer (Americas) at TBB. "AOE's specialized training expertise combined with our talent mobility platform will make it easier for qualified refugees to rebuild their careers in Canada's growing eye care industry."

The train-to-hire model will provide candidates with comprehensive training covering the Canadian ophthalmic sector, workplace culture, employee and employer rights and responsibilities, and occupation-specific knowledge and skills. AOE will also develop employer recruitment campaigns and organize regular information sessions to promote hiring through TBB.

This type of partnership enables TBB to expand its impact by addressing specific sector needs through targeted training programs. The combination of AOE's industry expertise with TBB's talent mobility experience will help meet critical workforce gaps while transforming lives through meaningful employment in the eye care sector.

"We are excited to partner with TBB to develop pathways that benefit both our industry and displaced professionals seeking new opportunities," said Yavar Ali Khan at The Academy of Ophthalmic Education. "There is strong demand across Canada for skilled, trained professionals in eye care, and this partnership presents an innovative way to meet that need while supporting workforce integration."

TBB has already helped more than 300 displaced individuals secure job offers globally. With support from specialized training partners like AOE, the organization aims to expand sector-specific pathways for skilled migration through targeted preparation programs.

Canadian employers in the eye care sector interested in learning more about hiring through TBB can visit: talentbeyondboundaries.org/employers

TORONTO, Canada — August 21, 2025 — Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB), a global nonprofit connecting refugees with employers in need of their skills, is pleased to announce a new referral partnership with Destination One Consulting Inc. (destinationone). destinationone is a North-American consulting pecializing in executive search, strategic recruitment through destinationoneRAASS™ (Recruitment-as-a-Subscription-Service), and HR advisory for impact sectors including government, non-profits, education, EdTech and MedTech, healthcare and wellness, cleantech, sustainability, and more. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, with an office in Henderson, Nevada, and client support partners in major cities across North America, destinationone delivers customized hiring strategies tailored to the workforce needs of employers nationwide.

This partnership advances TBB’s focus on connecting employers with qualified displaced talent while addressing labour shortages in key sectors like skilled trades and healthcare. Through this collaboration, destinationone will refer employers seeking international hires to TBB, which—as a trusted referral partner of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)—will support recruitment and relocation through employment-based immigration pathways.

“This partnership reflects our shared belief in building more inclusive and equitable migration pathways for all skilled workers,” said Lara Dyer, Chief Program Officer for the Americas at TBB. “destinationone’s deep employer networks will expand access to international employment for skilled refugees, and help them to meaningfully rebuild their lives through dignified work.”

Partnerships like this allow TBB to scale our impact in Canada by engaging more employers in high-demand industries—especially through trusted, mission-aligned organizations who understand the value of inclusive hiring. By combining destinationone’s employer reach with TBB’s expertise, this collaboration will help meet critical labour gaps while transforming lives through meaningful employment.

Employers referred through this channel will be supported by TBB’s end-to-end process, which includes job matching, visa coordination and relocation assistance.

“We’re proud to partner with TBB to support Canadian employers while advancing a global social impact,” said KD Khairah, Founder of destinationone. “There is strong demand across Canada for skilled, reliable talent—and TBB’s mission presents a future-forward way to meet that need.”

TBB has already helped more than 300 displaced individuals secure job offers in Canada. With support destinationone, the organization aims to scale the impact of skilled migration through employer engagement.

The partnership is effective as of June 19, 2025, and is set to continue for an initial term of three years, with annual renewals thereafter.

Employers interested in learning more about hiring through TBB or destinationone can visit: talentbeyondboundaries.org/employers and destinationone.ca, respectively.

[Rome, 27 June 2025] A new Memorandum of Understanding was signed today by Italy’s Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ministry of Labour, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Diaconia Valdese, Pathways International, and Talent Beyond Boundaries. This agreement will allow selected refugees living abroad to enter Italy through Labour Mobility Corridors for Refugees—a new initiative made possible by Law 50/2023. The programme facilitates the recruitment and training of skilled refugees in third countries for regular entry into the Italian labour market.

To date, four projects have been launched, benefitting 70 refugees currently residing in Colombia, Egypt, Uganda, and Jordan. Once in Italy, they will work in the airport services, shipbuilding, IT, and goldsmith sectors. These projects—recognised as best practices—are designed for future expansion to include additional economic sectors and geographic contexts, with the goal of significantly increasing opportunities for both displaced people and Italian companies.

Italy remains a global pioneer in creating regular labour migration channels for refugees, by establishing dedicated quotas within its annual migration planning and through an "extra-quota" pathway. This latter channel allows Italian employers to select and hire refugees at the end of overseas training programmes. It offers a model of integration and solidarity that recognises refugee talent while addressing critical workforce shortages in Italy.

Today, over 122 million people are forcibly displaced worldwide due to conflict and persecution. About 73% live in low- or middle-income countries, where opportunities to rebuild their lives are often scarce—pushing many to risk dangerous journeys at the hands of traffickers.
Labour mobility pathways offer refugees a safe and legal opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity and in line with their skills. They also clearly demonstrate the vital role the private sector can play in offering effective, concrete solutions rooted in solidarity and protection.

“In a time of global crisis, we need bold and concrete responses for refugees. Labour mobility corridors combine protection with possibility, placing people and their potential at the centre. Italy is charting a new course where institutions, businesses, and civil society walk together,” added Chiara Cardoletti, UNHCR Representative for Italy, the Holy See, and San Marino.

“Labour mobility corridors represent a transformative opportunity not only for refugees but also for host countries. Italy is showing leadership by demonstrating that refugee protection and labour market needs can go hand in hand,”said Daniele Albanese, Head of Europe Programs at Talent Beyond Boundaries.

This initiative aligns with the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees, highlighting the importance of global cooperation to enable refugees to use their skills for the benefit of all—creating a better future for themselves and the communities that welcome them.

The Labour Mobility Corridors for Refugees programme is the result of close cooperation among UNHCR, Diaconia Valdese, Talent Beyond Boundaries, and Pathways International, in partnership with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Labour, and the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.

It is supported by ACRI (Association of Foundations and Savings Banks), Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation, Reale Foundation, The Human Safety Net, and co-financed by the EU's AMIF Fund (Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund).

For more information:

·       Contact media@talentbeyondboundaries.irg

Current labor mobility programs for refugees in Italy

·       ReadyForIT – Labour Pathways for Refugees is a training pathway in the Information Technology sector developed by Fondazione Accenture, Talent Beyond Boundaries, Diaconia Valdese, FCA, International Trade Center, Re.Factory, Unione Industriali di Torino, and UNHCR. The project targets 35 refugees residing in Uganda. Refugees who pass the final assessment will be hired by participating companies, including Accenture, Experis, Aubay, SCAI Group, Reale Mutua, OverIT, MSC Tech, Btinkeeng, and Valuetech.

·       Navigating the Future: Discovery and Training of Talent in International Shipbuilding is a project focused on the shipbuilding sector, developed by Orienta, Talent Beyond Boundaries, Don Bosco Salesian Institute in Cairo (Egypt), UNHCR, and other local partners. It targets 240 individuals, including both refugees and Egyptian nationals.

·       Goldsmith for Italy – Labour Pathways for Refugees is a project focused on the goldsmithing sector, involving 15 refugees residing in Jordan. The programme is led by EG Ghirardi Training Agency and Mattioli S.p.A., and promoted by UNHCR, Diaconia Valdese, Talent Beyond Boundaries, Unione Industriali Torino, Pathways International, the NGO Turquoise Mountain, and Reale Foundation.

·       Wings for a New Future is a programme designed for the training and selection of 40 refugees living in Colombia, who will arrive in Italy by the end of 2025 to work in the airport services sector in Rome, hired by Avia Partners S.p.A. The programme is promoted by UNHCR, Unione Industriali Torino, Skillab, Diaconia Valdese, Pathways International, and Talent Beyond Boundaries.

OTTAWA, Canada – [June 12, 2025] – Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) welcomes the extension of Canada’s Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP), with appreciation to the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and her team. This innovative economic immigration pilot is restoring the dignity of refugees and other displaced people by enabling them to move internationally for work, on the basis of their skills.

TBB helped to create the EMPP in 2018, to allow skilled refugees and other displaced workers to move to Canada based on job offers, rather than humanitarian criteria. Through the EMPP, TBB has placed hundreds of skilled workers in such sectors as healthcare, construction, engineering, and information technology. The communities benefitting from the EMPP range from large centres like Toronto, to smaller communities such as  Hearst in Northern Ontario and Whitehorse in the Yukon. Candidates who have moved through the EMPP report that it has been life-changing and note that having a job in hand helps set them up for success as they join their new communities.

Due to its positive impact in meeting employers’ labour needs across Canada, the pilot program is now extended to the end of December 2025, to allow for further consultation with partners on the design of a permanent program. TBB welcomes the opportunity to discuss improved processing times that are workable for employers as part of these consultations. 

"We are thrilled to see the EMPP extended so we can continue serving employers  and displaced talent alike," said Lara Dyer, TBB’s Chief Program Officer (Americas). "The positive feedback and tangible results we have seen prove that this program is making a real difference and complements other immigration programs. In particular, we’re pleased that the EMPP is an economic immigration program, which underlines that refugees and other displaced people have skills that employers need. TBB remains committed to supporting employers, skilled workers, and communities in need of talent through this initiative."

“The EMPP was the first labour mobility program for displaced people globally, and has helped set the tone for a movement that continues to scale,” commented Sorcha O’Callaghan, CEO of TBB. “We express our gratitude to Minister Diab for honouring the Government of Canada’s commitment, at the Global Refugee Forum in December 2023, to make the EMPP permanent. We look forward to continuing to work with the Minister, her office, and the department to ensure the long-term success of this ground-breaking program.”

TBB would like to thank our dedicated team, including our immigration partner, Fragomen, our project partners, and the growing community of EMPP implementation partners for their continued support. We would also like to acknowledge the many IRCC officials, in Canada and abroad, who have supported the EMPP, worked collaboratively with multiple partners, and made important policy adjustments during the life of the pilot.

For more information about the EMPP and TBB’s support services, please visit: www.talentbeyondboundaries.org or contact our team at: info@talentbeyondboundaries.org

For media enquiries: media@talentbeyondboundaries.org

Melissa is a Congolese refugee whose journey from adversity to opportunity is nothing short of inspirational. Despite growing up in the shadow of war and facing immense personal challenges, Melissa never wavered in her determination to build a better future. Now, as one of the selected candidates in an innovative train-to-hire initiative, she has embarked on a new chapter. Melissa has recently relocated to Naples, Italy, to join the workforce of a big corporate employer, where she will harness her skills in technology to unlock new possibilities for herself and her family. This is her story.

My name is Melissa, a Congolese refugee living in Uganda. From a young age, my life was shaped by conflict and struggle, but I remained determined to carve out a future in technology. Growing up in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amidst war, my father was disabled due to violence, while my mother cared for him and my brother, who had a chronic heart condition. As the only daughter, I had to balance family responsibilities with my education. Despite these hardships, I was driven to succeed.

My education began in the DRC, but the ongoing conflict forced my family to flee to Rwanda. Even under these circumstances, I excelled academically and continued my education. In 2017, we sought refuge in Uganda, where life grew even more difficult. Financial struggles and societal pressure from extended relatives, who insisted I marry into wealth to uplift the family, created additional obstacles. But I resisted, believing education was the key to success. This conviction led me to leave home to pursue my studies, against all odds.

To fund my education, I worked as a mobile money teller, saving enough to return to school. In 2018, I enrolled at the Talents College in Mukono, majoring in Math, Economics, Geography, and ICT. My hard work paid off, and despite financial pressures, I graduated with excellent grades. In 2021, I received a partial scholarship to study Business Computing at Metropolitan University in Kampala, where I balanced work as a bank teller during the week and classes on weekends. By the end of 2024, I was completing my degree, reigniting my passion for software engineering. I then pursued a second degree in Software Engineering at Bugema University, supported by a new job that helped fund my studies.

Building a Career in Tech

My career began taking shape with my first independent project in 2022—developing a website for a local restaurant. This project gave me hands-on experience in web development and boosted my confidence. My technical skills were further honed when I became an agent at a call center in Uganda for a humanitarian project managed by UNHCR. There, I was responsible for addressing the protection needs of refugees, which enhanced my client relationship skills. This experience proved invaluable as I transitioned into roles in web and app development. Through these opportunities, I gained expertise in full-stack development, digital marketing strategies, and mobile app development.

My journey into technology wasn’t just driven by ambition but by a deep sense of purpose. Growing up in a conflict zone, I understood the transformative power of education, not just for individuals but for entire communities. Despite societal pressure to abandon my dreams in favor of marriage, I held onto my belief in education. It was this conviction that led me to work tirelessly to support my family and fund my education, eventually building a career in software development.

Finding TBB

It was in Uganda that I first heard about Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) through an outreach session hosted by Finn Church Aid (FCA), the managing  partner working with TBB in Uganda. A friend who had successfully relocated through TBB recommended their program, which connects skilled refugees with international employers. The idea immediately resonated with me. I knew that my education and skills in technology could offer me a way to rebuild my life and provide for my family.

The recruitment process with TBB was rigorous, involving interviews, technical assessments, and background checks. It took several months, but the support I received from TBB made the process manageable. They helped me navigate the visa procedures and prepared me for international employment. While there were challenges, such as financial constraints and a lack of resources, TBB’s assistance, along with support from their partners, made all the difference.

The train-to-hire model 

TBB is increasingly helping employers implement "train-to-hire" initiatives through which they can choose candidates with the basic skills that they need, train them to meet their company’s specific requirements, and then facilitate their move to new countries. This innovative approach benefits industries facing labor shortages and helps refugees integrate into destination job markets. Training can include technical skills, language proficiency, and/or job preparation, creating a sustainable solution to fill workforce gaps while providing opportunities for displaced individuals.

Ready for IT: Creating New Pathways for Refugees

Ready for IT – Labor Pathways for Refugees is a pioneering "train-to-hire" program that opens up safe and legal employment opportunities for refugees in Italy, leveraging Italy’s Law 50. This program, led by the Accenture Foundation, allows Italian employers to select skilled candidates from displaced backgrounds, train them to meet specific job requirements, and help them relocate to fill roles within the companies.

A collaboration among Italian employers, civil society organizations, and international partners, including TBB, Ready for IT combines targeted training with job placements. The program demonstrates the life-changing impact of stable employment, offering refugees like Melissa an opportunity to restore their livelihoods and build secure futures for themselves and their families.


In Italy, labor pathways for displaced talent are promoted thanks to the support of The Italian Association of Foundations and Savings Banks Spa (ACRI), Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, The Human Safety Net, and Reale Foundation.

If you are an employer who is interested in hiring individuals like Melissa, get in contact with our team here: talentbeyondboundaries.org/hire

If you are a candidate from a displacement background looking for labor opportunities internationally, register in the Talent Catalog here: tctalent.org

[Panamá, 26 de febrero de 2025] — Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) y la Organización Internacional para las Migraciones (OIM) han lanzado una iniciativa multinacional destinada a facilitar el acceso a vías de movilidad laboral para migrantes, refugiados y otras personas desplazadas en América Latina y el Caribe.

El proyecto de dos años "Construyendo la Capacidad del Ecosistema para Escalar la Movilidad Laboral" está financiado por el gobierno de Canadá a través de Inmigración, Refugiados y Ciudadanía de Canadá (IRCC). La iniciativa busca fortalecer los marcos de movilidad laboral, ofreciendo oportunidades de migración seguras y regulares que potencian las habilidades y apoyan el desarrollo económico en los países de destino.

El proyecto IMCBP también está diseñado para desarrollar las habilidades de los migrantes y refugiados para que puedan acceder a vías laborales, reduciendo su dependencia de los traficantes y combatiendo la explotación.

"En TBB, estamos dedicados a fortalecer el ecosistema de organizaciones que apoyan a refugiados y personas desplazadas con habilidades. Nuestro objetivo es equipar a estos candidatos para desbloquear su potencial y acceder a oportunidades de trabajo significativas", dijo Sorcha O'Callaghan, CEO de Talent Beyond Boundaries. "Este proyecto marca un paso significativo hacia un cambio sistémico en América Latina y el Caribe, permitiendo que las personas con habilidades transformen sus vidas mientras contribuyen a las economías globales".

"Las vías de movilidad laboral son una solución beneficiosa para abordar las necesidades del mercado laboral en todos los niveles de habilidad y aprovechar nuevos talentos, al tiempo que se protege a los migrantes y refugiados. Esta asociación sin duda nos ayudará a implementar cambios positivos en la vida de miles de personas en la región", dijo Diego Beltrand, Enviado Especial de la OIM para la respuesta regional a los flujos de migrantes y refugiados de Venezuela y otras nacionalidades.

A través del proyecto de 4 millones de dólares canadienses, TBB buscará apoyar a 1.500 candidatos mejorando sus resultados de empleabilidad e integración mediante capacitación en inglés, habilidades blandas, preparación para entrevistas y/o experiencia específica del sector. La OIM también compartirá información disponible sobre vías de movilidad laboral con posibles candidatos. Además, TBB y la OIM fortalecerán las organizaciones locales en América Latina y el Caribe, incluidas las dirigidas por refugiados, proporcionando capacitación, asesoramiento y recursos técnicos para implementar eficazmente soluciones de movilidad laboral.

TBB y la OIM documentarán las lecciones aprendidas a lo largo del proyecto y compartirán estos conocimientos con los gobiernos de la región para fomentar el desarrollo de vías adicionales de movilidad laboral. Los hallazgos también se comunicarán al Grupo de Trabajo Global sobre Movilidad Laboral de Refugiados, fomentando el diálogo y la colaboración internacional.

El proyecto financiado por IRCCIMCBP está diseñado como un modelo replicable para gobiernos, organizaciones sin fines de lucro y empleadores, demostrando cómo las vías complementarias de movilidad laboral pueden transformar significativamente vidas mientras fortalecen las economías en todo el mundo.

Para más información, por favor contacte con: 

TBB media@talentbeyondboundaries.org 
OIM, Gema Cortes, marcortes@iom.int

[Panama, 26 February 2025 ] — Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have launched a multi-country initiative aimed at facilitating access to labour mobility pathways for migrants, refugees and other displaced individuals in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

The two-year “Building Ecosystem Capacity to Scale Labour Mobility” project is funded by the Government of Canada through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The initiative aims to strengthen labour mobility frameworks, providing safe and regular migration opportunities that enhance skills and support economic development in destination countries.

The project is also designed to build the skills of migrants and refugees so that they are able to access labour pathways, reducing their reliance on smugglers and combating exploitation.

“At TBB, we are dedicated to strengthening the ecosystem of organizations that support skilled refugees and displaced individuals. Our goal is to equip these candidates to unlock their potential and access meaningful work opportunities,” said Sorcha O’Callaghan, CEO of Talent Beyond Boundaries. “This project marks a significant step toward systemic change in Latin America and the Caribbean, enabling skilled individuals to transform their lives while contributing to global economies.”

“Labour mobility pathways are a win-win solution for addressing labour market needs at all skill levels and tapping into new talent while safeguarding the protection of migrants and refugees. This partnership will undoubtedly help us to implement positive change in the lives of thousands in the region,” said Diego Beltrand, IOM’s Special Envoy for the regional response to the outflows of Migrants and Refugees from Venezuela and other Nationalities.

Through the $4 million CAD project, TBB will aim to support 1,500 candidates by enhancing their employability and integration outcomes through training in English, soft skills, interview preparation, and/or sector-specific expertise. IOM will also share information on available labour mobility pathways with potential candidates. Additionally, TBB and IOM will strengthen local organizations across Latin America  and the Caribbean, including refugee-led groups, by providing training, coaching, and technical resources to effectively implement labour mobility solutions.

TBB and IOM will document lessons learned throughout the project and share these insights with governments across the region to encourage the development of additional labour mobility pathways. Findings will also be communicated to the Global Task Force on Refugee Labour Mobility, fostering international dialogue and collaboration.

The IRCC-funded project is designed as a replicable model for governments, non-profit organizations, and employers, demonstrating how complementary labor mobility pathways can significantly transform lives while strengthening economies worldwide.

For more information, please contact:

media@talentbeyondboundaries.org

IOM, Gema Cortes, marcortes@iom.int 

En un mundo lleno de crisis e incertidumbre, las historias de personas desplazadas suelen pasar desapercibidas. Sin embargo, sus relatos son un poderoso recordatorio de la resiliencia y el potencial de quienes han superado desafíos inimaginables. Michelly, una enfermera originaria de Venezuela, personifica este espíritu. Su camino desde la adversidad hasta la construcción de una nueva vida en Canadá es un testimonio de perseverancia y del poder transformador de las oportunidades.

Sueños Reinventados

Hace cinco años, Michelly dejó Venezuela rumbo a Perú, impulsada por la esperanza de una vida mejor. Una grave infección renal y la escasez de medicamentos esenciales en su país de origen la llevaron a tomar esta difícil decisión. Michelly no solo buscaba sobrevivir, sino también apoyar a su familia y construir un futuro estable.

Su pasión por la enfermería, cultivada durante años de estudios y trabajo en Venezuela, se mantuvo como una fuente constante de inspiración. Michelly afinó sus habilidades en cuidados de emergencia y enfermería ocupacional, brindando cuidado especialmente a poblaciones vulnerables, incluidos adultos mayores y pacientes en situación crítica. Aunque su sueño inicial era ser cirujana, la situación política y económica en Venezuela la obligó a cambiar de rumbo. La enfermería se convirtió en su vocación: un campo en el que encontró su propósito y la oportunidad de servir a los demás.

Una oportunidad que cambió su vida

La vida de Michelly dio un giro cuando conoció a Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) a través de HIAS, una organización asociada que apoya a refugiados en el acceso al programa piloto de movilidad económica (EMPP) de Canadá. Explorando el Catálogo de Talentos de TBB, descubrió una plataforma donde podía mostrar sus habilidades a empleadores de todo el mundo. Con la ayuda de HIAS y TBB, Michelly creó un currículum destacable y navegó el complejo proceso de postulación.

Una entrevista con Schlegel Villages marcó un punto de inflexión en su trayectoria. El enfoque acogedor y profesional de la organización la hizo sentirse valorada y segura. Reconocieron su experiencia y dedicación al cuidado de los pacientes, lo que resultó en una oferta de empleo que abrió las puertas a un nuevo capítulo en su vida.

Recibir esa oferta fue más que un logro profesional; fue la promesa de estabilidad y seguridad. A través del EMPP, Michelly obtuvo la residencia permanente en Canadá, brindándole a ella y a su familia acceso a oportunidades que antes solo podían soñar.

Construyendo un futuro en Canadá

TBB ayuda a los empleadores en el a veces largo proceso de contratación y reconocimiento de credenciales para enfermeros. Estamos orgullosos de colaborar con Care4Nurses y el Servicio Nacional de Evaluación de Enfermería (NNAS por sus siglas en inglés) para ayudar a candidatos como Michelly a agilizar y acelerar este camino.

A los empleadores que estén considerando contratar a través de TBB, Michelly les tiene este mensaje:

“Las y los profesionales desplazados aportan una riqueza de experiencia, dedicación y diversidad cultural al lugar de trabajo. Ellas y ellos enriquecen sus comunidades mientras ayudan a solucionar los problemas de escasez de habilidades en la fuerza de trabajo”.

El camino recorrido de Michelly es un ejemplo de resiliencia y esperanza, mostrando al mundo lo que es posible cuando se da una oportunidad a las personas desplazadas. Desde Venezuela, pasando por Perú y ahora en Canadá, ha transformado los desafíos en oportunidades y los sueños en realidad.

Su historia nos recuerda el inmenso potencial de quienes buscan refugio. Al adoptar programas de movilidad de talentos desplazados, los empleadores pueden marcar la diferencia, no solo para sus organizaciones, sino también para individuos y comunidades.

Al asociarse con TBB, tu organización puede ofrecer empleo significativo a refugiados mientras mitiga carencias clave de mano de obra. Haz clic aquí para saber más.

Si eres un candidato en situación de desplazamiento y buscas oportunidades laborales internacionales, regístrate en el Talent Catalog aquí: tctalent.org

In a world marked by crises and uncertainty, the stories of displaced individuals often go unnoticed. Yet, their stories are a powerful reminder of the resilience and potential of those who overcome unimaginable challenges. Michelly, a nurse from Venezuela, embodies this spirit. Her journey from hardship to building a new life in Canada is a testament to perseverance and the transformative power of opportunity.

Dreams reimagined

Five years ago, Michelly left Venezuela for Peru, driven by the hope of a better life. A severe kidney infection and the scarcity of essential medicines in her home country fueled her decision. She sought not just survival but a chance to support her family and create a stable future.

Her passion for nursing was cultivated through years of dedicated studies and work in Venezuela, and remained a constant source of inspiration. She honed her skills in emergency care and occupational nursing, specifically supporting vulnerable populations including older adults and critically ill patients. Though Michelly had once aspired to be a surgeon, Venezuela’s political and economic turmoil forced her to pivot. Nursing became her calling—a field where she found purpose and the opportunity to serve others.

A Life-Changing Opportunity

Michelly’s life changed when she found Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) through HIAS, a partner organization that supports refugees to access Canada’s Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP). Exploring TBB’s Talent Catalog, she discovered a platform to showcase her skills to employers worldwide. With the help of HIAS and TBB, Michelly crafted an impressive résumé and navigated the complex application process.

An interview with Schlegel Villages became the turning point in Michelly’s journey. The organization’s welcoming and professional approach made her feel valued and confident. They recognized her experience and dedication to patient care, resulting in a job offer that opened doors to a new chapter in her life.

Receiving the job offer was more than a professional milestone—it was the promise of stability and security. Through the EMPP, she was granted permanent residency in Canada, giving her and her family access to opportunities they could only dream of before.

Building a Future in Canada

TBB supports employers in recruiting nurses through the sometimes prolonged  process of hiring and credential recognition. We're proud to partner with Care4Nurses and the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) to help our candidates like Michelly  streamline and accelerate this journey.

For employers considering hiring through TBB, Michelly offers a powerful message:

“...displaced professionals bring a wealth of expertise, dedication, and cultural diversity to the workplace. They enrich their communities while helping address critical workforce shortages.”

Michelly’s journey is one of resilience and hope, showing the world what’s possible when displaced individuals are given a chance. From Venezuela to Peru, and now to Canada, she has turned challenges into opportunities and dreams into reality.

Her story reminds us of the immense potential within those who seek refuge. By embracing displaced talent mobility programs, employers can make a difference—not just for their organizations but for individuals and communities as well.

Through a partnership with TBB, your company can provide meaningful employment for refugees while addressing key labor shortages. Click here to learn more. 

If you are a candidate from a displacement background looking for job opportunities internationally, register in the Talent Catalog here: tctalent.org

December 4, 2024—Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) is proud to announce the launch of the Displaced STEM Professionals Initiative (DSPI). With funding from the Talent Mobility Fund, this initiative leverages existing legal immigration pathways to connect outstanding displaced STEM professionals with advanced degrees and high-level experience with U.S. employers seeking to fill roles in critical and emerging technology fields.

Betsy Fisher, TBB’s U.S. Director, said: “Millions of people have been forced to flee their countries, and many have outstanding credentials in STEM fields. They hold patents, have made key research discoveries, and have extensive publications. The Displaced STEM Professionals Initiative will empower these professionals to access U.S. employment and to contribute to U.S. firms through lawful immigration pathways.”

Amy Nice, Co-Director of the Talent Mobility Fund and Head of U.S. STEM Immigration, notes: “The animating thesis of the Talent Mobility Fund is that by understanding processes under existing law and regulation, we can develop projects that will help U.S. employers, their lawyers, international STEM experts, and universities realize there are current options available. Talent Beyond Boundaries’ project fits right in - it focuses on identifying STEM experts that happen to have been forced out of their home countries by the breakdown of civil society yet are poised to use their expertise to advance science, technology, and engineering endeavors of high importance.” 

To start, the initiative will identify displaced people with STEM PhDs from within TBB’s Talent Catalog, an open-source job matching platform for displaced people. The first cohort may include individuals such as a TBB candidate with a Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology, over 20 years of biomedical research and laboratory experience, more than 40 publications, a patent, and receipt of an array of grants and awards. Another TBB candidate has a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, served as a postdoctoral fellow in communications systems, has 29 peer-reviewed publications as well as numerous awards. 

These exceptional professionals will be supported in securing roles in the U.S. in critical and emerging technology fields, such as semiconductor manufacturing, green technology, and artificial intelligence. A group of industry advisors will provide insights on current and projected hiring needs and key skills that are in demand in their respective industries. 

For U.S. employers who rely on  hiring STEM professionals, or have an interest in advising the DSPI as an industry expert or partnering with TBB in other ways, please contact dspi@talentbeyondboundaries.org.

About Talent Beyond Boundaries
TBB is a nonprofit organization that has pioneered refugee labor mobility, opening new pathways in twelve countries for refugees to access lasting refuge and decent work by leveraging their skills. TBB also supports displaced people in rebuilding their lives with safety and dignity by connecting them with employers in need of their skills, with more than 2,000 people securing relocation opportunities to date. This work is built on the Talent Catalog, an open-source job matching platform for displaced people, where more than 120,000 displaced people have registered their skills and experience.

About the Talent Mobility Fund 

The Talent Mobility Fund is a philanthropic organization dedicated to empowering individuals to move to opportunities by increasing the utilization of existing legal immigration pathways. TMF’s mission encompasses leveraging these pathways to facilitate talent mobility, thereby contributing to economic growth, innovation, and the reduction of global poverty. The Fund operates through two tracks: U.S. STEM Immigration and Global Mobility. The Talent Mobility Fund is a fiscally sponsored project of the Digital Harbor Foundation.

As the global shift toward a sustainable green transition gathers momentum, demand is surging for skilled workers in green energy, environmental management, and other sectors crucial to combating climate change. It’s estimated that by 2030, approximately 20 million new green jobs will emerge globally, dedicated to supporting green initiatives to meet net-zero goals and green-economy initiatives. Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) is working to ensure that refugees and other vulnerable populations are not only included in this workforce but also equipped to thrive within it.

In October 2024, TBB brought together 21 global leaders from across industries and international organizations for a pivotal discussion on “Scaling Labour Pathways for Refugees: Design-and-Build for the Green Transition.” This event, held in partnership with The Rockefeller Foundation, launched the Coalition for Green Skills Pathways, which aims to connect refugee talent to emerging green economy opportunities and support global sustainability goals.

The coalition brings together experts from government, the private sector, green-transition training providers, funders, and legal advocates. Their shared mission is to equip refugees and other vulnerable populations with the skills necessary to excel in the green economy. TBB’s approach with this coalition focuses on actionable steps to integrate refugee talent into labor markets focused on the green transition, benefitting both refugees and national workers in host countries. This means not only developing current talent but also upskilling refugees and nationals in critical green-transition skills. By doing so, TBB and its coalition partners aim to create a sustainable talent pipeline that supports the green economy while addressing the urgent need for skilled labor in this sector.

Key Objectives of the Project:

• Support the fight against negative impacts of climate change by training talent to contribute to the green transition.

• Enable refugees to access migration pathways to safer homes and dignified work based on their skills.

• Provide green-skills training for refugees and select nationals in refugee-hosting countries, and

• Promote safe and regulated migration routes as an alternative to unsafe and irregular migration.
  

A Three-Year Project to Scale Refugee Integration

The coalition will create a comprehensive, three-year refugee labor mobility project that meets the workforce needs of the green transition. This scalable model is designed to reduce costs for both employers and governments, enhancing the long-term sustainability of green transition efforts. By the end of this initial three-year phase, TBB and its coalition partners aim to relocate 10,000 workers, plus their family members, for a total of some 20,000 individuals, and set a strong foundation for expanded opportunities into the future.

Our Vision for Inclusive, Sustainable Labor Markets

The Coalition for Green Skills Pathways underscores TBB’s dedication to expanding access to skilled employment for refugees and other displaced people, ensuring they can participate equitably in the global economy. With a long-term vision of creating migration pathways for hundreds of thousands of refugees and vulnerable migrants, TBB and its coalition partners are working to shape a global workforce that reflects diversity, resilience, and readiness for the future.

Coalition for Green Skills Pathways Members

This effort is supported by a diverse group of leaders from organizations worldwide, including:

• Claudia Barbarano, DLA Piper

• Alan Barbieri, The Human Safety Net

• Urvi Bhatt, Government of Australia

• Jennifer Bond, Pathways International

• Hannes Einsporn, Robert Bosch Stiftung

• Anna Gekht Davis, UN Refugee Agency

• Ludovica Ghizzoni, International Trade Centre

• Jerome Goerke, greentech.training

• Johann Harnoss, Boston Consulting Group

• Rebecca Heller, Open Society Foundation

• Kate Hooper, Migration Policy Institute

• Ahmad Samim Hoshmand, Pollination Foundation

• Serena Hoy, International Organization for Migration

• Gareth Jones, Centre for Net Zero

• Lance Kaplan, Fragomen

• Jean Milligan, International Organisation of Employers

• David Manicom, Talent Beyond Boundaries

• Sorcha O’Callaghan, Talent Beyond Boundaries

• Marina Brizar, Talent Beyond Boundaries

• Daniele Albanese, Talent Beyond Boundaries

• Mirek Pospisil, LinkedIn
  

For more information, please contact our team at info@talentbeyondboundaries.org

We are excited to announce that Sorcha O'Callaghan has officially joined Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) as our new CEO! With her extensive experience and deep commitment to our mission, we look forward to her leadership into our next chapter. Sorcha brings a wealth of experience in humanitarian policy and has dedicated over two decades to addressing refugee and displacement issues.

About Sorcha: A Passionate Advocate

Before joining TBB, Sorcha served as the Director of the Humanitarian Policy Group at ODI, a global affairs think tank. Her career began in Ireland where, after a brief stint in advertising and marketing, she pivoted to humanitarian work, motivated by the arrival of refugees in Ireland. Sorcha started volunteering at a center for asylum seekers and victims of torture, providing English language training and integration support. This experience ignited her passion for helping displaced individuals.

Her journey continued with roles at the Department of Justice in Ireland, where she worked on refugee case management and policy. She later pursued a master's degree in migration at Sussex University and joined the International Rescue Committee (IRC) as a program officer. In this role, she designed a resettlement program for vulnerable individuals from West Africa to resettle in the UK, drawing inspiration from the IRC's refugee resettlement efforts in the United States.

Sorcha's career also included years in Sudan, where she worked on human rights programs and advocacy during the Darfur crisis, which highlighted the urgent need for addressing refugee and displacement issues. At ODI, she led initiatives focused on refugee and displacement matters, underscoring her commitment to this vital work.

Sorcha’s Vision for TBB

As she steps into her new role at TBB, Sorcha envisions a sustainable and operational system for displaced talent that ensures the best possible outcomes for both displaced people and for the companies which employ them.  While she acknowledges that achieving this vision will take time, she is confident it is attainable. When discussing the need to scale TBB’s programs and convert pilots into permanent pathways, she said:

"I think what's really clear is that the time is now. TBB and its partners have proven that providing labor pathways for displaced people works for countries, employers and for refugees. We now need to unlock this at scale, and we need to create system change where these pathways are a permanent way of operating. That's a pretty motivating challenge!"

Please join us in welcoming Sorcha O'Callaghan as the new CEO of Talent Beyond Boundaries! We are thrilled to have her leadership and vision as we continue to empower displaced talent and expand our impact globally.

At the heart of any successful international recruitment effort is a supportive employer. St. Joseph’s Care Group (SJCG) in Thunder Bay, Ontario, is a shining example of how these partnerships can be a win-win for everyone. As Canada continues to grapple with critical healthcare staffing shortages, SJCG stands out—not just for finding talent in a unique way, but for how they welcome and integrate new employees, particularly displaced talent, into their workforce.  

Since partnering with Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB), SJCG has welcomed 6 skilled healthcare professionals, who were all previously displaced due to instability or conflict. Another 26 candidates (and their families) will arrive in the next year.  

What makes St. Joseph’s Care Group truly exceptional is the comprehensive and personal support they provide to every hire, ensuring that the transition to a new country and workplace is as welcoming and seamless as possible. Upon arrival, candidates are greeted with a warm welcome at the airport, given a month of paid accommodation, and supported in setting up essentials such as a bank account and their health care cards—all within the first two days of arriving in Canada. They’ve supported individuals like Moaed, who arrived in Thunder Bay in April 2024. 

Moaed’s Journey to Canada

When Moaed, a registered nurse from Syria, graduated from Cairo University, he planned to work towards becoming a Charge Nurse. Specializing in critical care and used to the high-stakes environment of an ICU, Moaed was passionate about his work. As a refugee, however, he encountered a challenging work landscape in Egypt which saw limited career growth opportunities for him. 

“Unfortunately, there are not many opportunities for me as a foreigner in Egypt,” Moaed said. “So I had to change my plans and find another way.”

Desiring a place where his skills would be recognized and rewarded, Moaed began to explore options outside of Egypt. When a friend mentioned Talent Beyond Boundaries, he knew this could be the chance he had been waiting for. He registered his profile on TBB’s Talent Catalog, hoping an employer would see the value in his skills. 

TBB connected Moaed with St. Joseph’s Care Group, who were looking for reliable people who could help fill their labour shortages. 

Andrea Docherty, Vice President of Clinical and Community Health, explained, “St. Joseph’s Care Group, and really the healthcare system as a whole, was faced with a number of challenges post-pandemic in terms of recruitment and retention of staff. We had a large number of staff that were at retirement age, and a lot of Canadian-trained individuals were leaving the healthcare field.”

To address this, the organization decided to look beyond traditional hiring channels, seeking innovative and sustainable solutions to meet staffing needs while making a meaningful impact. In partnership with TBB, St. Joseph’s Care Group expanded its talent search to include highly skilled but displaced professionals who are often overlooked in traditional recruitment channels. 

“The factors that led us to consider international recruitment as an option was really an incredible opportunity for a partnership with TBB and all of the good work that they’d been doing,” Docherty said. “It really provided us with an opportunity to recruit skilled employees and also provide a new home for individuals who were fleeing areas that were no longer safe for them to live in.”

Through this partnership, SJCG discovered Moaed’s profile—a perfect candidate for their needs in long-term care.

The Right Opportunity

When Moaed received a job offer from SJCG, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. “I was so happy because I found a new chance for me to gain  experience in another country.”

Since arriving in Canada, Moaed has quickly adapted to his new environment, with SJCG team providing continuous support as Moaed settled in Canada.

“It was a huge change because the weather here is different, the culture is different,” Moaed said. “But when you have good support from your colleagues, you will find your way.” 

For SJCG, hiring through TBB has proven to be a valuable strategy to meet critical staffing needs, while also making a difference in someone’s life. SJCG success highlights the benefits of investing in the long-term success of your employees. Their supportive approach has significantly contributed to the integration and retention of their hires into the community, demonstrating the value of hiring refugees and fostering a welcoming environment. 

As Lara Dyer, TBB’s Canada Director, puts it, “Displaced professionals like Moaed bring so much talent, are highly motivated, and are eager to build their lives here. This is not only a viable recruitment strategy but also one that brings significant value to the community.”

Through a partnership with TBB, your company can provide meaningful employment for refugees while addressing key labour shortages. Reach out to us today.

AAC Members from top left to right: Fayzeh (Nurse, NHS), Firass (Nurse, GenesisCare), Karim (Motion Designer), Ammar (Coding Trainer, Re-Coded), Dalir (Web Developer, Thought Digital Consultancy). 

At Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB), we believe in the transformative power of giving displaced talent a voice. In September 2023, TBB UK launched the inaugural Alumni Advisory Committee (AAC), aiming to elevate the stories of individuals who have navigated the challenges of relocation and integration, and to create a platform for their insights to shape future initiatives. By amplifying their lived experiences, we hoped to inspire others, strengthen our programs, and advocate for greater opportunities for displaced individuals across sectors. The success of the UK’s first AAC demonstrates the immense value of empowering alumni to contribute meaningfully to the design and delivery of TBB’s initiatives.

Five members of the alumni community were brought together, representing different nationalities, sectors, and locations, to actively contribute to the design and delivery of TBB’s programs.

The AAC’s objectives included: 

• Reporting on challenges and providing recommendations to address integration barriers for displaced talent and their families in the UK;

• Developing initiatives to increase alumni participation and engagement to strengthen the community and the sustainability of the program;

• Serving as ambassadors to amplify the voices of displaced talent in the design and delivery of TBB programs; and, 

• Raising awareness of the benefits of displaced talent mobility amongst key stakeholders in the private, public, and third sectors. 

Twelve months later and with the first term having come to an end, the importance of elevating alumni voices has only become all the more apparent. As we plan the next iteration of the AAC, we’re taking the time to reflect on the achievements, highlights, and lessons learned  over the last year. 

Improving Integration Support for Displaced Talent

A key objective of the AAC was to improve integration support for displaced talent. Early on, members advised that centralizing and simplifying access to information was essential. Ammar, a Senior Coding Trainer at Re-Coded, and AAC member, took the lead by  developing a website for storing key resources. After months of work and consultations, this resulted in the launch of TBB’s first ‘Displaced Talent Integration Hub’, a platform that all UK alumni can access and refer back to during their integration journeys. The AAC’s contributions had an impact beyond internal TBB resources; members also played a crucial role in providing policy recommendations in a report that evaluated integration support for displaced talent that was presented to UK government officials.

Amplifying Alumni Voices and Representation

Another core objective of the AAC was to elevate alumni voices by creating opportunities for members to be in the right rooms at the right times. Thanks to the support of R-SEAT, an international initiative that amplifies refugee leadership, AAC members underwent specialized training to become effective ambassadors of the wider alumni community. They embraced the challenge and represented displaced talent mobility brilliantly at high-profile events, including the Web Summit in Lisbon, a meeting of the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva, and webinars for the National Health Service (NHS). One member, Karim, a Motion Designer, also contributed to the animations in a video that premiered at the EU-funded and IOM-led Displaced Talent for Europe (DT4E) conference in Brussels last month, celebrating the achievements of DT4E’s project’s achievements.

Advocating for Additional Training and Support

In addition to external representation, the AAC worked diligently to address concerns within the UK alumni community. Through their feedback, TBB UK became aware that many alumni were unfamiliar with their rights as skilled workers in the UK, particularly regarding political engagement. This prompted TBB UK to partner with DLA Piper’s Know Your Rights team, to organize an information session to empower UK alumni to better understand their rights. Another session led by Ian Robinson, a TBB Trustee and Partner at Vialto with over a decade of experience working in government, covered the UK political system and how alumni can effectively engage with Members of Parliament (MPs). Our partners at Fragomen also provided a session on the transition to eVisas to ensure alumni felt confident navigating the new system. 

Fostering Community and Collaboration

Above all, the AAC has fostered collaboration and community among UK alumni. Members have volunteered to mentor newly arrived candidates, hosted alumni events, and created resources to support others on their integration journeys. Their contributions have already had a significant impact on both the UK alumni community and displaced talent mobility pathways generally. As one member reflected, “I think it’s important for TBB to have an advisory committee not only to leverage alumni knowledge for institutional development but also to cultivate engagement between the alumni themselves, enabling them to feel valued and connected to the institution.” 

As TBB continues its efforts to strengthen existing refugee labor mobility pathways while opening new ones, the UK’s first AAC highlights the critical importance of incorporating the voices of those with lived experience into program design and delivery. Moving forward, TBB will continue to work in synergy with the Global Task Force on Refugee Labour Mobility (GTF) to launch the next iteration of the UK’s AAC, as well as the GTF’s AAC, to ensure alumni voices remain at the forefront. Watch this space for more updates! 

In partnership with Red Bug Coaching and with the generous support of World Education Services (WES), Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) Canada hosted two Women’s Coaching Circles. This initiative, designed to support women as they navigate the challenges of settling themselves and their families, into their new lives in Canada, brought together a small group of women who moved to Canada with their spouses through the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot. 

While principal applicants who secure jobs through TBB often have immediate opportunities for integration, their partners—usually women—can struggle to find their footing when they first arrive. Often, these women are highly educated professionals in their own right and face unique challenges in adapting to a new culture, finding their place in a new community, and reigniting their careers.

Our goal with the Women’s Coaching Circle was simple: create a safe and supportive space for women to work through these challenges together. Led by Tanya Smith - PCC, a professional coach and owner of Red Bug Coaching & Consulting Inc., each participant identified a personal hurdle—whether related to career, integration, or personal growth—that they wanted to work through with the group. Over the course of multiple sessions, these women found ways to confront these obstacles and also built lasting relationships that will continue to support them beyond the coaching sessions.

One participant shared:

“It was a great time to meet wonderful women to support and help each other to pass our difficulties. I learned that it’s necessary to forgive myself and strive to do my best next time. Through the Women's Coaching Circle, I came to the conclusion that the source of peace comes from within the person.”

The impact of the coaching circle was profound. There’s been a tangible shift in the women’s confidence and outlook after each session. "It helped them to strengthen that small community, and it was nice to see that," Tanya reflected. Beyond individual growth, the circle fostered a sense that participants were not alone in their challenges, and the women continued to support each other between sessions.

We are deeply grateful to WES for their financial support and to Tanya Smith for generously volunteering her time and expertise. The success of the Women’s Coaching Circle underscores the importance of providing holistic support for our candidates and their families, to set everyone up for success.

Are you interested in learning more about TBB’s programs and how you can get involved? Follow us on social media for updates, and explore how we help qualified refugees to relocate on the basis of their skills and rebuild their lives.

This week we are saying goodbye to Steph Cousins—with great appreciation and more than a tinge of sadness.

It’s rare to find someone who combines a great heart, a keen intellect, unflinching moral integrity, humility, humor, passion, and a crazy degree of optimism—but that is Steph, and that’s why we will miss her so much.

Steph joined this mission as a volunteer working with John Cameron in Australia in 2016 while she already had a full-time job at Amnesty International. Once we all decided to merge the work in Australia with the initial work in Canada and the Middle East, Steph became the first TBB employee in Australia. Together with John, she persuaded the Australian government to formally support the world’s first refugee labor mobility pilot.

In 2020, Steph became our Global Co-CEO and then in 2021, our CEO. Steph successfully navigated a global pandemic and a funding crisis. She took a big leap and entered TBB into a highly competitive global philanthropic competition for bold new solutions for refugees. This brought us new funding, new champions, and increased global attention. Since then, under her leadership, Talent Beyond Boundaries has expanded our impact through partnerships with the UNHCR, the International Organization for Migration, and collaboration with the private sector.

The governments of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States have either expanded, opened, or pledged to create economic migration pathways for refugees. More than 2,500 refugees from 24 countries have secured new careers and stable futures through labor mobility. TBB now has nearly 70 paid staff operating in 15 countries, along with a host of partner organizations working with us.

And while Steph is leaving her full-time role at Talent Beyond Boundaries, she is not leaving the cause—or even going far. She has been awarded a fellowship from The Myer Foundation to develop a program supporting young refugees to migrate to Australia for university and vocational training programs.

Steph, it’s been an absolute pleasure and privilege to be your partner in this ambitious quest. We’ll miss the constant contact, but we’re confident that our friendship and collaboration will continue.

Sending you off with lots of thanks and love,

Mary Louise, Bruce and John

TBB Co-Founders

In the buzzing halls of the Village of Arbour Trails and Riverside Glen, two of Schlegel Villages’ age-friendly community living villages in Ontario, you might find Soe, a dedicated personal support worker and Burmese refugee. Her journey to Canada is a story of unwavering determination, and a testament to her resilience. 

Helping others has always come naturally to Soe. In 2008, she left her homeland of Myanmar when the medical assistance she provided to injured protesters of the Saffron Revolution drew the ire of the government. 

“In medicine, we don’t concentrate on religion or skin colour; we’re just saving human lives,” Soe said. “Some of the Rohingya people, they don’t have a passport and they’re suffering a lot.”

Soe fled Myanmar after the government seized all of her property and put a warrant out against her, forcing her to cross the Naf River with her two sons and seek refuge in Bangladesh.

Soe would put on many different hats to provide for her family: In Bangladesh, she worked as a sales manager for a pharmaceutical company, an interpreter for the UN, and a volunteer assisting Rohingya refugees. In 2010, she made the move to India for better opportunities for her family. In India, she worked in various roles, including as an auditor, a computer programmer, and a hospital-level medical coordinator. Throughout all of these changes, Soe persevered and continued to seek opportunities where she could build a better life, help others in need, and provide a safer environment for her children. 

Discovering Talent Beyond Boundaries

Soe first heard about Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) from a local social work organization in India. While skeptical at first, she did her research on TBB, its partners, and the Talent Catalog, and decided to put her resume forward despite the doubts of others around her. 

“Everyone thought it was a scam at first,” Soe shared. “We have 200,000 refugees in India, and not one person at the time had moved.”

Soe felt that if she could be the first person in India to successfully find a job through the Talent Catalog, she could prove that this idea was not a scam. In her 50s and with over 4,000 other refugees vying for the same role, it felt like a long shot. But with her wealth of experience and her steadfast spirit, she knew she’d be a strong candidate. 

A Life-Changing Opportunity

Soe’s perseverance paid off when she was selected for an interview with Schlegel Villages in Canada. The moment she received a job offer, she couldn’t contain her excitement. A life in Canada meant that her children could start building towards their own futures. Her sons, now in Guelph with her, plan to go to university in the next year. 

Before Soe moved, TBB helped her obtain the documentation needed to apply for Canada’s Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot. Her employer ensured that she and her family had temporary housing when she first arrived. She landed in Canada on June 13, 2024, and started working the next day. Once in Canada, a local civic organization helped Soe get settled and ensured that her new home was fully furnished. 

“[Schlegel Villages] trusts me a lot and they treat me well. I’m in my 50s and a small person,” Soe said. “But Schlegel has paid for my training and allowed me to show my abilities. Older woman can do anything!” 

Soe’s journey demonstrates that with determination and the right support, it’s possible to overcome even the most daunting of obstacles. She encourages other refugees to trust in TBB and its partners, and to sign up for the Talent Catalog. 

“I don’t know how to say thank you to TBB because of what they’ve given me,” Soe shared. “I knew I had the ability, but I never had the opportunity.” 

For more information on opportunities for displaced talent in India, please reach out to TBB’s managing partner for India, Migration and Asylum Project, at +91 97111 28603.