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Last Saturday, the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce was awarded the 2008 Ontario Chamber of Comâ€" merce (OCC) Chair‘s Award for innovation, for its role in the development of the Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network (WRIEN). WRIEN works to effectively integrate â€" internationallyâ€" trained workers into the comâ€" munity. According to numerous studies, there is an overwhelmâ€" ing number of educated immiâ€" grants in Ontario who are unable to find work. Local chamber of commerce recognized for innovation The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Comâ€" merce strives to connect these new immigrants with mentors and employers from within the region. . among many individuals and community groups in Waterloo region." â€"Todd Letts Chair of WRIEN "This is an award that can be shared woeusin us aeciecte s Arcis ts ue t ts t is t 49 i ue se us cce w t ts foets 85 i tR W tp 4 n t Noi 2t 00020 tive solution to a problem that is undermining the growth of our economy," explained Len Crispino, the president and CEO of the OCC. "Our inability to effectively and efficiently welcome interâ€" nationallyâ€"trained immigrants into positions commensurate with their experience is a loss to these immigrants and our province. __ "WRIEN has proven to be an innovative and creative solution to the problem." o s WRIEN connects business people from across the region with new immigrants through various initiatives including best practices forums, networkâ€" ing sessions, employer workâ€" shops, immigrant recruiting breakfasts and through its Menâ€" torship Partnership program, which is funded in part by the "It isn‘t all about finding a job, but about finding a good fit for people," explained Rob Dawson, a mentor in WRIEN‘s Mentorship Partnership proâ€" "The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Comâ€" merce has done a great job in promoting the program and using the network to connect people within the community." ces tm n t e i tm 1 % als and community groups in Waterloo region," said WRIEN chair Todd Letts. "The strong spirit of collaboration in our region has made WRIEN possiâ€" ble." The Chair‘s Award, among others, was presented at the OCC‘s annual general meeting and convention in Oshawa. The awards recognize new and innovative initiatives that have contributed to regional success over the past year. With over 1,900 members, the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce is the largest accredited chamber of commerce in Ontario. The chamber is dedicated to enterprise productivity and regional prosperity. _ _ about finding a good fit for people." "It isn‘t all about finding a job, but â€"Rob Dawson A mentor in WRIEN‘s Mentorship Partnership program MyinsuranceShopper.ca New house,; ‘new babv | new car! | as us on o on i t o t ns e thri ie i is tA ie dn dnA mt i.A t nc n arane in 46 4 0. Life is happening fast. > is your insurance keeping up? WATERLOO CHRONICLE + Wednesday, May 7, 2008 * 23 My Insurance Shopper" found us insurance My Insurance Shopper‘" can do for you : that fits Find out what