In case you missed it. Spectrum News 1 put the spotlight on International Institute of Buffalo clients thriving with local employers. The feature highlighted local restaurants’ success with the help of eager and hardworking immigrant employees.
But the relationships are a two-way street. Nick Pitillo, owner of Osteria 166 in downtown Buffalo, says his outreach to IIB yielded valued, driven employees who are integral to his operations. The new hires have learned new skills and take on expanded responsibilities through promotions.
The piece featured cook Shaza Saja, who arrived from Sudan and initially started as a cleaner and dishwasher.
“Before when I started, I never thought that one day I would be here,” said Saja. “So I take that step by step, and now I’m here. I know someday I will be maybe more than this.”
Recently, the Buffalo News spoke with our Executive Director, Jennifer Rizzo-Choi, for an in-depth feature into how, and why refugees and immigrants are successfully playing an integral part in bridging local hiring gaps – click here for more on that feature.
You can click here to learn about how our robust job club provides refugees with the knowledge and skills to enter the workforce quickly, and successfully.
Joining the Workforce: IIB Job Club Members Learn New Skills
Click here to watch the full report.
Learn more about how IIB prepares New Americans to be successful in the workplace.