Like many companies, Spacekap relies on several foreign workers to maintain its production. In a previous article, the importance of supporting foreign workers was discussed. At Spacekap, this responsibility falls to Maria Mayorga, a talent acquisition specialist. Maria assists these workers with bureaucracy, work permit renewals, immigration forms, language acquisition, and their overall integration. She also ensures they have housing and transportation services to get to the factory.
Typically, these foreign workers 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, we quickly recognized the importance of internal promotion. 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.
Talent acquisition
A few weeks ago, Spacekap engaged a recruitment firm to fill an important position within the company—Buyer. This task was entrusted to Arcand and Associates, a reputable firm that has been in the field for 25 years.
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 are well-supported, and the company doesn’t hesitate to promote those who stand out.”
In Search of Passionate Employees
At Spacekap, foreign workers make up more than half of the factory’s employees. The company seeks passionate and loyal individuals: “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.
Leaving Colombia to Find Safety
Sergio Suarez left Colombia in 2022 with his wife and two children to settle in Canada, hoping to build a new life there: “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.
Feeling Appreciated
The Colombian speaks Spanish and English and is currently taking French classes three days a week. He can already understand French but needs to continue learning to speak it fluently, as French is a core value of the company.
Starting as a laborer in November 2022, Sergio was later promoted to team leader before moving into a 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!”
This is an inspiring story that could be repeated in the future, both at Spacekap and in other companies: This is the Quebec of tomorrow!
