“With the right training, I can excel in this role”

In October 2020, ILEO partners collaborated to create the ILEO Good Jobs pilot to address a long-standing challenge: job seekers with skills and training are unsuccessful in finding work, while at the same time, employers experience recruitment and retention challenges for certain in-demand roles.

As the first employer of ILEO Good Jobs, Sun Life worked closely with United Way Greater Toronto and ACCES Employment to co-develop a program pathway for residents of the Greater Golden Mile into full-time Sun Life Disability Adjudicator positions with competitive pay, benefits, and advancement opportunities.

Since then, ILEO has expanded into a new neighbourhood – Greater Weston Mount Dennis and ACCES Employment and Sun Life co-designed and co-delivered a four-week bespoke training program for candidates seeking the role of a Disability Adjudicator. As of November 2025, 23 have been hired at Sun Life as disability adjudicators, with 61% retention rate and some showing potential to progress into the Disability Case Manager role.

Shaza Kreidieh is one of 23 residents who have been hired since the program began in 2021. She shares her experience in the Sun Life Disability Adjudicator program and as a full-time hire for nearly two years below.

I was initially drawn to the Disability Adjudicator program because it combines my interest in supporting people through life challenging events with the opportunity to apply analytical and decision-making skills.

I am particularly motivated by roles that require careful evaluation, fairness, and collaboration, and I appreciate Sun Life’s reputation for prioritizing client well-being and professional development within the team. The program felt like an ideal way to grow my personal skills while making a meaningful impact in others’ lives. 

During my training, one moment that truly stood out for me was when I assisted a peer overcome challenges with the client communication protocols. Having recently learned these protocols myself and given the fact that English isn’t my native language, I could relate to their struggles and guide them effectively. My confidence grew and I realized that with the right training I can excel in this role. Helping others succeed while building my own expertise has given me a genuine sense of accomplishment and confirmed this career path aligns with my strengths and goals.

Typically, my day begins by reviewing tasks and priorities, making sure I understand where I can have the most impact and how to manage my time effectively. Much of my time is spent collaborating with colleagues, solving challenges, and supporting clients. What makes my work truly rewarding is the opportunity to help others. Knowing that my efforts make someone’s day easier or helps them achieve a goal gives meaning to my daily work and motivates me to give my best each day. Each interaction reminds me why I chose this role: the chance to make a positive difference while learning and growing professionally.

From my experience, this job is not easy. You need to stay focused all the time, manage your time well, and be empathetic while staying aware of details, because even small things can impact your decisions. That said, if someone has these skills, the program can really help them grow daily, teach them new skills, and expose them to continuous learning opportunities. It’s challenging but also incredibly rewarding, and they will feel their abilities strengthen as they go. I encourage anyone who feels ready to take on this challenge to try it, and I, along with all members of this team, are ALWAYS here to support.

To learn more about how United Way Greater Toronto, BMO Financial Group and other private, public and community partners are working together to ensure the benefits of this development flow to existing residents check out the Inclusive Local Economic Opportunity Initiative (ILEO).