KITCHENER — The pandemic has slowed the pace of hiring at one of the region’s fastest-growing startups as it prepares for a record-breaking year in 2022.
Kitchener-based ApplyBoard’s software platform lets students from around the world quickly identify and apply for university or college programs across North America, the U.K. and Australia.
ApplyBoard has 300 job openings and expects a huge increase in the number of international students applying to Canadian universities and colleges next year as the pandemic eases, said Martin Basiri, co-founder and chief executive officer.
“We can’t hire fast enough,” said Basiri. “We are really dealing with a labour shortage.”
His company needs people skilled in software development, marketing, sales, human resources and operations.
“You name it, we are growing in every field,” said Basiri.
Since it was founded in 2015, the startup has grown to 1,500 employees and attracted $600 million in venture capital. It now employs more than 750 in Kitchener, 200 more in other Canadian cities and 600 in other countries.
The Global Skills visa program had been processing applications for work permits in as little as two weeks. That helped ApplyBoard and other startups in this region quickly secure sought-after talent from other countries.
But during the pandemic the approval times stretched into months.
“Everything is delayed when it comes to immigration,” said Basiri. “I know they are doing a very hard job, and working hard, there is a big backlog and they are under a lot of pressure.”
During 2021 the number of post-secondary applications processed by ApplyBoard increased by 250 per cent when compared to 2020.
“So, 2022 is going to be huge because a lot of students from 2020 and 2021 deferred their applications,” said Basiri. “So 2022 is going to be good for our company.”
In the past, up to half of the first-year students at Ontario universities came from other countries. They are an important source or revenue for universities because they pay full tuition, which is about five times higher than Canadian students.
As word of the ApplyBoard platform spreads around the world more young people are using it. Institutions pay to be on the platform, but applicants can use it for free.
It used to take up to 18 months to find, apply and gain acceptance to a Canadian university for international students. ApplyBoard’s platform reduced that time to a single day.
“Without doubt 2022 will be the biggest year for enrolment of international students — period,” said Basiri.
During 2021 the number of applications processed by ApplyBoard increased by 250 per cent when compared to 2020.
“So, 2022 is going to be huge because a lot of students from 2020 and 2021 deferred their applications,” said Basiri. “So 2022 is going to be good for our company.”
When the pandemic started, ApplyBoard had about 500 employees. Working from home during the past 22 months means Basiri has not met the 1,000 people hired since March 2020. He is going to meet many of them for the first time later this month.
“I am really excited, we are going to have our Christmas party soon,” said Basiri. “I am very optimistic for next year.”
“We can't hire fast enough” — Kitchener-based tech firm grew rapidly during the pandemic but hiring new talent has become difficult - TheRecord.com
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