Niagara College’s Community Employment Services (CES) team has been recognized with a Local Partner of the Year Award by Bridges Niagara, a local non-profit dedicated to the inclusion and well-being of immigrants and newcomers.
The award highlights CES’s exceptional work in helping newcomers to the Niagara region find meaningful employment.
“We are thrilled to congratulate Niagara College’s Community Employment Services on receiving the Local Partner of the Year award. This well-deserved recognition is a testament to their outstanding dedication, colla
Gary Bruce (Manager, Community Employment Services) accepts the award from Leela Madhavarau (Secretary, Bridges Niagara Board of Directors) and Frida Saliu (Community Outreach Officer, Bridges Niagara) on June 5, 2025.
boration, and commitment to excellence in our partnership,” said Jackie Wakeling, Employment and Skills Development program lead, Bridges Niagara. “Their innovative approach and shared vision have been instrumental in our mutual success, and we look forward to continuing this strong and impactful partnership.”
Rebecca Nicholls, Associate Dean, Academic Studies at NC, expressed the CES team’s honour in receiving the award.
“This award is a meaningful reflection of the strong collaboration we’ve built through our shared work supporting skilled newcomers in finding meaningful, sustainable employment,” said Nicholls. “We’re proud to stand alongside Bridges Niagara and our local partners in creating inclusive pathways that foster opportunity, belonging, and long-term success for all.”
Nicholls highlighted that the award underscores the shared commitment of both organizations to building inclusive, community-based employment pathways that foster dignity, belonging, and long-term success. She noted that it “enhances CES’s profile as a trusted leader in workforce development, strengthens its position for future collaboration and funding opportunities, and celebrates the dedication of staff who help remove barriers to employment every day.”
A collaborative approach to employment
Gary Bruce, Manager of CES, emphasized the value of their long-standing partnership with Bridges Niagara, and highlighted the collaborative nature of their programs and positive feedback received from clients.
“We share the ultimate goal of supporting individuals in our community which, in turn, helps build a stronger Niagara,” Bruce said.
He noted that client referral is a two-way street: Bridges Niagara refers clients seeking job search assistance to CES, while CES recommends newcomer clients to Bridges Niagara for settlement programs and services.
Bruce noted that Niagara’s newcomer community is very tight knit, with many individuals referred to CES by those who have already benefited from their services. He highlighted that “many newcomers are highly educated professionals who may need help with credentials or assessments to be eligible for work in their fields when they come to Canada.”
“They’re filling a big gap in our labour market,” he said.
Supporting all job seekers
CES offers a wide array of services to support Niagara job seekers and is fully funded to deliver Employment Ontario’s programs. The office assists approximately 1,700 job seekers annually.
“Anyone from our community who is unemployed can access our services. We help all residents – not just students,” Bruce said.
Local job seekers are encouraged to book a one-on-one appointment with a CES employment consultant to explore their employment needs, opportunities, and training options. Visit niagaracollege.ca/ces/.
