“I came from nothing. I worked for school fees. Now I create jobs for others.”
Who is Joseph Majeesh?
Joseph Majeesh is the director and founder of Champion Staffing International. He lives in Calgary, Alberta, and holds both Canadian and U.S. citizenship. But his story starts far from the Canadian oil fields—back in a small town in India.
Raised in a low-income family in southern India, Joseph says he had to work from a young age just to afford school. “I didn’t have a comfortable life,” he recalls. “I had to take jobs whenever I could just to keep going.”
Today, he leads an international staffing firm that recruits for oil & gas, construction, and industrial clients in Canada and the Middle East. He’s staffed hundreds of positions in some of the world’s most dangerous zones—Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kurdistan.
His journey didn’t follow a straight path. It wound through multiple countries, setbacks, and industries. This is the story of how he got there.
From Banking in Jeddah to HR in the UAE
Joseph earned his BBA in 2001 in Bangalore and Hyderabad, India. He got a banking job in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, right after graduation. “It was my first real job,” he says. “I didn’t know what HR was yet.”
He soon discovered he wanted something more people-focused. So, in 2005, he moved to Dubai and began working as an HR generalist for a shipping company. That role opened the door to the oil and gas sector.
He joined GASCO, a government-owned oil and gas firm in Abu Dhabi, as a Recruitment Team Lead. There, he was responsible for staffing three major oil projects. “It was a big step,” Joseph says. “I traveled to job fairs around the world. We were hiring hundreds at a time.”
Why He Moved to Canada
In 2012, Joseph migrated to Calgary, Alberta. He says he was drawn to Canada’s stability and opportunities. “I wanted to take what I learned in the Middle East and apply it somewhere new,” he explains.
He started in staffing roles with Canadian firms like PTW Energy and TRS Staffing. At TRS, he was the lead recruiter for the Canada LNG project in Kitimat, British Columbia. “It was a fast-paced job. Very technical roles. Very high stakes,” he says.
But he didn’t stop there.
Founding Champion Staffing International
In 2014, Joseph decided to start his own company. He co-founded Champion Staffing International in Calgary with his friend Bruce Covernton, a two-time Grey Cup champion and well-known local businessman.
The company focused on high-volume, high-risk recruitment for oil, gas, and industrial clients. They staffed projects for SPIE Oil & Gas, Fluor, SNC Lavalin, ADNOC, and more.
Joseph regularly travels to Iraq, Kurdistan, and the UAE to run recruitment campaigns. “Sometimes we’d interview 200 people in a week,” he says. “You need to be fast and careful.”
After Bruce Covernton passed away in 2024, Joseph took full leadership of the firm. Today, over 200 people are on his payroll across Alberta and other regions.
What He Looks for in Talent
Joseph is certified as a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and a Registered Professional Recruiter (RPR). He says his recruiting style is hands-on and tech-driven.
He uses systems like Workday, Taleo, and SuccessFactors to manage candidate pipelines. But he still believes in phone calls and face-to-face interviews.
“You can’t always trust what’s on paper,” he says. “People open up when you speak their language.”
He’s recruited everyone from millwrights and forklift drivers to project managers and EHSE leads. His specialties are in conflict-zone staffing and executive search.
Community Work and Values
Joseph is active in the Syro Malabar Church in Calgary. “It’s my second home,” he says. He’s also supported local initiatives like the CUPS Calgary awards and suicide prevention events.
He believes that work and purpose are closely tied. “Success is not just about money,” he says. “It’s about lifting others as you grow.”
What’s Next?
Joseph has also launched several food service ventures in Alberta. While he no longer names brands due to agreements, he says they are part of a larger plan to create jobs locally.
His long-term goal is simple: expand his staffing footprint, continue community work, and build something lasting. “I didn’t grow up with anything,” he says. “But I can help others grow now.”
Joseph’s journey is a rare one. From rural India to the oil fields of Canada and the war zones of the Middle East, he’s built a career that bridges continents. His work connects people to jobs, families to incomes, and companies to talent—even in the most challenging places.
As Joseph puts it, “Your beginning doesn’t decide your end. You do.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Joseph Majeesh
Who is Joseph Majeesh?
Joseph Majeesh is a Canadian-American entrepreneur and recruitment professional. He is the director and founder of Champion Staffing International, a staffing firm based in Calgary, Alberta.
What does Joseph Majeesh do?
He specializes in international recruitment for oil & gas, construction, logistics, and industrial sectors. He focuses on full-cycle hiring and conflict-zone staffing across Canada, the Middle East, and Asia.
Where is Joseph Majeesh based?
Joseph Majeesh lives and works in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
What is Champion Staffing International?
Champion Staffing International is a global manpower supply company founded by Joseph Majeesh. It provides recruitment services to energy and industrial clients, including in high-risk regions like Iraq and Afghanistan.
What companies has Joseph Majeesh worked with?
He has recruited for companies such as SPIE Oil & Gas, Fluor, SNC Lavalin, ADNOC, Saudi Aramco, and Qatar Petroleum.
What is Joseph Majeesh’s background?
He was born and raised in India, worked in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and later immigrated to Canada. He holds an MBA in Human Resources from the University of Calgary.
Is Joseph Majeesh involved in community service?
Yes, he is an active member of the Syro Malabar Church in Calgary and has supported local initiatives like CUPS Calgary and suicide prevention events.
