Employment Success Story
In May, Randstad, a staffing agency, and Metro Lindt in Carlisle, built a partnership with CWS Harrisburg to help grow life-changing employment opportunities for refugees and immigrants. Here is the story as told by John Lee of Randstad:
I had the pleasure of meeting Employment Specialist Dad Khuda Sharifi (“Sharifi”) (L). His timing couldn't have been better, as we were about to ramp up for our peak season and needed reliable staff. After introducing himself and explaining CWS’s mission, we worked closely together to schedule orientations and start dates for his clients, many of whom were refugees seeking employment.
At Randstad, we pride ourselves on helping businesses meet their staffing needs while making a positive impact on local communities. Metro Lindt, known for its diverse and inclusive work environment, welcomed these individuals with open arms. Many of these positions were entry-level and required no prior work experience, they provided a great opportunity for refugees to establish themselves in the workforce. There were challenges related to language barriers and a need for clarity around safety policies, but Sharifi and his team successfully navigated these challenges. They also helped with onboarding through Randstad’s mobile application and helped with translation during orientation.
Meet Sarah
One standout success story is that of Sarah Morkus, a CWS client placed as a general laborer on the 3rd shift in Metro Lindt’s copack department which packages and labels products. Sarah’s work ethic, dedication, and initiative quickly caught the attention of her supervisor. Within just a few weeks, her exceptional performance led to her being recommended for a line lead position. In her new role, she excelled in managing the team, ensuring that production targets were met, and showing true leadership.
Metro Lindt’s management have praised Sarah’s success and our strong partnership with CWS. These employees have demonstrated their exceptional work ethic and work attendance. They have overcome their initial communication challenges to integrate smoothly into their teams. Both we and Metro Lindt foster inclusivity by engaging all employees, both permanent and temporary, in company events, creating a strong sense of belonging. Our collaboration with CWS continues to grow, and we are committed to helping refugees and immigrants find stable employment and opportunities for advancement. Sarah’s journey demonstrates that with support and opportunity, refugees can thrive and contribute meaningfully to any organization.
John Lee, Onsite Operations Manager for Randstad at Metro Lindt Carlisle as told to Ahmad Jawed, Senior Employment Specialist