Light Industrial Training Attendee, Pathways Skill Development
Photo: Ibtehal operating the Forklift during the Light Industrial Training course
“My first nation is Iraq. I was born in Baghdad and speak Arabic. In 2006 my father decided to move us from Iraq to Syria because of the war. At that time I was in high school (grade 12) planning to go Baghdad University as a civil engineer. But two months before I graduated my life started to change.
In 2007 my family moved to Syria. Because I moved to Syria as a refugee I was not eligible to finish my university or college there. But I did not stop educating myself. I got a lot of the certificates through the UN Refugees Agency. Even after we lost my father one year later we decided to finish what my father chose for us.
My life became harder and with big responsibilities. I started working in my Uncle’s factory as a supervisor, working on my education and volunteering in the Red Cross on the weekend. In 2010 I started to work on my own business. I had a Day Care with 4 employees for 6 months, then I came here to Canada. I am glad we came to Canada, and it is honor for me to be a Canadian citizen.
I have been in Canada almost 5 years. I started ESL class, and volunteering and I became a supply teacher. After that I started working on my Canadian High School Diploma and I got my Canadian high school credits. I finished one year at Fanshawe College Business Management program.
I went to Pathways to learn more about Canadian culture and Business, gain training and certificates, and finally to find a job for me to settle down and buy my own house. The LIT program has had a positive impact in my life. It helped me to develop group work skills, take leadership roles, meet new friends, work with different people in a welcoming environment, and assist me to participate in social activities.
My goal right now is to find a job in any warehouse, and develop myself to work as a supervisor and a manager in the future.”
My Take Away:
My advice to anyone in the same situation: Do not give up, there is nothing impossible in life. And do not be scared. Life does not wait – you have to work hard to get what you want.
