Employment Resources for Immigrants Keep Canada Competitive
by Colin R. Singer / Saturday, 20 July 2013 / Published in April
Though Canada has always been a competitive destination for skilled immigrants, there are several strategies that could be implemented to maintain that edge in an increasingly global community, says Toronto Immigrant worker Margaret Eaton.
Eaton, who works with the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC), argues that all community stakeholders – including the Canadian government, public, employers and immigrants – need to get involved to ensure that immigrant skills are being used to their full potential. She argues that newcomers do have the skills that employers are looking for and that it is more a matter of bringing the two together effectively.
She points to initiatives run by her own group, including programs designed to help employers overcome the hurdles of hiring foreign-born talent and learning to recognize credentials.
Many companies have already stepped up to the plate and begun implementing strategies to attract and retain new talent. Financial company Deloitte, for instance, provides mentoring services where immigrants are paired with employees. On average, mentoring programs like this can raise a newcomer’s annual salary by over $20,000.
There are also many different culturally-based business groups across the country, such as the Chinese Professionals Association of Canada, which provide services and support for new arrivals and visible minorities.
Immigrants will want to go to a country where their skills will be put to use, says Eaton. The more that policymakers work together with immigrants and employers, and the more the public supports these efforts, the more attractive Canada will be to skilled workers.