Basil Onyia
Prior moving to Canada, Basil Onyia has worked and lived in Missouri, USA where he started his HR career. When arrived to Canada, Basil could not land a job or an interview due to lack of the Canadian experience.
With the help from our team and Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Government of British Columbia, Basil landed two interviewed that led to two job offers.
Read Basil’s inspiring story:
Like many newcomers to Canada, I faced the obstacle of local experience and the credential needed to be seen in a brighter spotlight in the semi-regulated Human Resources industry. I realized that most job descriptions had one statement in common “A CPHR or working towards it, is an asset.” I heard of the Multicultural Society and decided to see what was available for me. I met with Daisy from CVIMS, and she walked me through the resources, and I told her the hurdle I wanted to overcome. From day one, she believed in me, and that gave me an extra level of confidence. Funding was provided to register as a CPHR member, buy the books needed to study, fund my trip to Vancouver to partake in a two-day exam prep session, and register to take the NKE (National Knowledge Exam) that same year I arrived in Canada.
I was determined to get that designation. Time after time, 100+ resumes later, I finally got two interviews where I had a chance to express my background and my current endeavours towards my CPHR in Canada, and I was offered both jobs. I accepted one of the positions. Now the real challenge began, starting a new position while studying every day for the NKE. A lot of HR books, group study sessions, and few practice tests later, the time came. I went to Camosun College to take the exam, and just like that, I was done.
A while later, the results came out, and the first word on the email was “Congratulations.” Not only had I passed, but my scores were one of the top national scores for that year. Passing the NKE on the first take was remarkable on its own but doing it as a new immigrant was another level. And it would not have been possible at such a fast rate if I didn’t have the support, resources and guidance from the Multicultural Society.
A few months after submitting my education credentials and working through a lengthy dissertation-like experience validation as an HR professional, my document was approved, and I had gained my full designation, CPHR. – Basil Oniya
Currently, Basil works in Victoria, BC, as a senior HR Specialist for a global company and one of the world leaders in e-payment services.
If you feel inspired by Basil’s story and know someone who would benefit from this program, contact Wendy Wen, our CCDP Immigrant Employment Specialist, at (250) 753-6911 Ext. 102 or wwen@cvims.org.
