Like many companies, SpaceKap relies on foreign workers to maintain production. As covered in an earlier story on supporting foreign workers, this responsibility falls to Maria Mayorga, a talent acquisition specialist. Maria assists workers with bureaucracy, work permit renewals, immigration forms, language acquisition, and overall integration, including housing and transportation to the factory.
Key Takeaways
- Sergio Suarez, hired as a laborer in November 2022, was promoted to team leader and then to buyer, a managerial role, in under two years.
- The recruiting firm Arcand and Associates added Sergio to an external candidate search for the buyer role at Maria Mayorga’s suggestion.
- Sergio left Colombia in 2022 with his wife and two children, citing safety as the primary reason for the move.
Why does SpaceKap prioritize promoting foreign workers internally?
Foreign workers typically fill positions that require less training, giving them time to learn the company culture, build loyalty, and adapt to a new country and language. At SpaceKap, internal promotion is taken seriously. When an employee is valued and stands out for their work and attitude, they grow within the company, as was the case for Oscar Sanchez-Silva, who quickly became a supply chain supervisor.
How did an internal candidate win an external search for a buyer role?
A few weeks earlier, SpaceKap engaged a recruitment firm to fill an important position: buyer. The task was entrusted to Arcand and Associates, a firm with 25 years in the field.
External candidates were part of the interview process until Maria Mayorga suggested the name of Sergio Suarez, who had been working at SpaceKap’s factory since 2022. “At their request, we added Sergio Suarez to our rigorous process and concluded that he had the qualities, knowledge, and experience required for the position. He already embodied the company’s values. His personality was a perfect fit for the role. In purchasing, you need someone who is calm and proactive,” said Véronique Plessis-Bélair, a recruitment consultant at Arcand and Associates.
Sergio had spent over 10 years at a major environmental company in Bogotá, Colombia, his home country. “He had held significant positions in his country, faced challenges, and found solutions. He had all the necessary skills, so we recommended him. It’s also worth mentioning that SpaceKap has an excellent reputation for foreign workers: they’re well-supported, and the company doesn’t hesitate to promote those who stand out.”
Sergio Suarez with Étienne Bouchard, general director of SpaceKap
What does SpaceKap look for when promoting from within?
At SpaceKap, foreign workers make up more than half of the factory’s employees. The company looks for passionate and loyal people. “Sergio stood out internally. He was a natural choice. It’s part of SpaceKap’s values to help our foreign workers thrive both professionally and personally. My role is to support them, and that is crucial for us,” adds Maria Mayorga.
SpaceKap provides transportation for all its foreign employees
Why did Sergio Suarez leave Colombia for Canada?
Sergio Suarez left Colombia in 2022 with his wife and two children to build a new life in Canada. “We were looking for a safe place for our children. In Canada, you can walk anywhere and feel secure, which wasn’t the case in Bogotá. I don’t have to hide my jewelry when I go out for errands, fearing that I might be attacked and robbed. My children can go to school by themselves without fear,” says the new buyer at SpaceKap.
Sergio speaks Spanish and English and is taking French classes three days a week. He can already understand French but is still working toward speaking it fluently, since French is a core value of the company.
Starting as a laborer in November 2022, Sergio was promoted to team leader before moving into his managerial role today. “I had a solid background in Colombia, but here I had to prove myself and seize opportunities. I didn’t expect to advance so quickly. My bosses make me feel valued and take good care of me. It’s a big challenge, and I’m grateful for this wonderful show of trust.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sergio Suarez at SpaceKap?
Sergio Suarez is a former factory laborer, hired in November 2022, who was promoted to team leader and then into a managerial buyer role after being recommended for an externally recruited position.
Does SpaceKap prefer to promote foreign workers over hiring externally?
SpaceKap prioritizes internal promotion when an employee stands out, even during an active external recruitment process, as happened with Sergio Suarez’s promotion to buyer.
Why did Sergio Suarez move his family from Colombia to Canada?
Sergio cited safety as the primary reason, wanting his children to be able to walk and go to school without the security concerns he experienced in Bogotá.
