About Drake International

Connecting People, with Purpose

Since 1951, we’ve been at the forefront of workforce innovation. Founded in Winnipeg, we have grown into a global industry leader, with more than 70 offices in 16 countries across five continents. We remain proud of our Canadian roots. Now, with 21 branches spanning coast to coast, and with over 70 years navigating Canada’s dynamic job market, we understand the workforce challenges you may face.

While we continue to embrace advances in technology to enable our teams, at Drake we believe people drive performance. People have been, and will always be, at the heart of everything we do. Moving forward, we will continue to honour our history as one of Canada’s first staffing agencies while embracing a forward-thinking approach that helps shape the future of work.

Our Ambition

To be recognized as Canada’s most dedicated, knowledgeable, and trusted recruitment solutions partner, celebrated not just for our accomplishments, but for the connections we foster.

Our Values

A commitment to connection and success
We transcend the conventional role of a recruitment company. Our mission goes beyond merely filling positions; we are dedicated to fostering meaningful connections and facilitating lasting success for both our candidates and clients. We prioritize integrity and empathy, and only engage with opportunities where we are confident in our ability to be a partner in their success.
Going the extra mile
We don’t just connect people and opportunities; we go a step further. With a deep understanding of the nuanced markets across Canada and a rich history of industry expertise, we are uniquely positioned to meet the diverse needs of both candidates and clients.
11 countries
We honour our history as one of the first staffing companies in Canada, while embracing a forward-thinking approach. Our roots in local communities afford us the flexibility to adapt to evolving trends and processes, ensuring we stay at the forefront of the industry.
Uncompromising quality of service
We deliver an exceptional level of service, consistently striving for excellence in everything we do. Our focus is not on the quantity, but on the quality of each interaction and outcome. We are committed to providing personalized, high-quality service that meets the unique needs of every client and candidate.
Rich perspective
We reject the notion of a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we embrace the diversity within our team, recognizing that it’s the collective blend of backgrounds, perspectives, and voices that strengthens our approach. With each task we undertake, we are dedicated to conducting our daily activities without bias, ensuring that every interaction and decision reflects our commitment to inclusivity.

Our History

1950s

On June 1st, 1951, Drake International’s was founded in Winnipeg by Bill Pollock and Jim Shore as a processing centre for outsourced work. Just a year later, in 1952, we began supplying temporary workers to clients, marking the start of our journey as a leading recruitment solutions provider. By 1957, our footprint expanded, with new offices in Toronto, Montreal, and our first international branch in Cleveland, Ohio.

1960 - 1980

Over the next two decades, the Drake brand continued its international expansion. We launched our profit improvement solutions business in Hong Kong, paving the way for further growth. New offices followed in key global cities, including London, Sydney, Auckland, and Johannesburg. It was also during this period that we ventured into the health services sector with the introduction of Medox Health Services, expanding our service offerings and further diversifying our portfolio.

1980s

Drake continued to lead the recruitment industry by embracing emerging technologies. During the 1980s, we began utilizing computer technology to enhance our services, offering new solutions like psychometric testing to better match candidates with employers. In 1988, we expanded further into Asia with the opening of our Singapore office, strengthening our presence in the region.

1990s

Throughout the 90s, we continued to diversify our range of services by developing and acquiring productivity improvement technologies and solutions, designed to meet the changing demands of the modern workplace. This decade marked an important phase of innovation and growth, as we continued to focus on helping organizations optimize their workforce and improve efficiency.

2000s - 2020

Drake International experienced significant growth throughout the 2000s and 2010s. In 2006, we recognized the emergence of the tech market and acquired Huntel Global, which now serves as our specialized IT division. In 2008, we expanded our global presence again by entering the Philippines market. During this time, we remained committed to introducing innovative solutions tailored to meet our candidates’ and clients’ unique needs.

2020s

In 2021, we celebrated 70 years of Drake International. Now spanning across 11 countries and boasting 21 branches in Canada, our journey has been driven by a commitment to enhancing organizational productivity and providing innovative staffing solutions. As we look ahead, we remain committed to seeking innovative recruitment processes, building meaningful connections, and being a true partner in the success of our clients and candidates.

Our Commitment to You

To our clients, we understand that every organization has unique needs and that a one-size-fits-all approach falls short. We are committed to understanding your organization, requirements, and culture and take pride in offering tailored solutions that align with your goals. We’re invested in your long-term success, and with our unmatched expertise, expansive network, and dedication to speed and precision, we’re your trusted partner in navigating the complexities of people and business.

To our candidates, we recognize that your career aspirations are multidimensional. This is why we go beyond the surface to deeply understand your goals, ensuring we connect you with aligned opportunities that can take you to the next level.

What Our Clients Say

I would like to thank the Drake International team once again for helping us find a Millwright replacement back in February 2024. The new hire has become a huge asset to our team. His skill set and positive friendly attitude makes him a great teammate for all his coworkers! We will definitely reach out to Drake International in the future when we are in need of more skilled tradespeople.

Skilled Trades and Technical

I wanted you to know that we’ve just hired a salesperson through your Mississauga branch. The service was excellent, and all the candidates met our expectations. However, two stood head and shoulders above the rest and we were able to hire the candidate of choice. We expect this new person to take us to new heights in sales and profitability by securing business in areas we haven’t tapped into. It was good to use the services of a company that purchases from us.

Sales and Marketing

My experiences with the staff at my local Drake office have always been professional, and pleasurable. They go above and beyond in helping solve my temporary labour needs. I even had one position that required Drake to meet several needs and concerns, and they took the time to research and develop a plan so I could fill that position. I most definitely would recommend my local Drake office to fill any labour needs.

Manufacturing

Get In Touch, Today

Whether you are seeking the ideal candidate or your next opportunity, contact us and discuss your needs.