They will be able to bring their skill sets to their field of expertise and contribute to the economy
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Newcomers to Canada will benefit from a mentorship program, so that they can get work experience in their field of expertise, secure good jobs and contribute to the growing economy.
Salma Zahid, member of parliament for Scarborough Centre, and on behalf of Patty Hadju, minister of employment, workforce development and labour, launched the Canadian Work Experience Initiative Evaluation Mentoring Project that will help highly skilled newcomers find jobs that match their skills and training.
"Our government is committed to ensuring that no talent is left behind,” Zahid said.
The government is investing $490,000 in the project.
On average, and compared to their Canadian counterparts, immigrants have lower rates of labour force participation, and significantly higher unemployment rates. Specifically, last year, the unemployment rate for recent immigrants between 25 and 54 years old was nearly 11%.
Canadian-born people in the same age group only had an unemployment rate of just over five percent. Statistics Canada also found that just 24% of foreign-educated immigrants were working in an occupation corresponding to their field of study.
Of Canadian-born individuals, however, 62% work in their respective fields.
"Everyone deserves a fair chance at success. Our country thrives when we all are able to put our skills to work,” said Hadju.
The Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council, which will implement the pilot, will identify barriers that prevent highly skilled newcomers from obtaining Canadian work experience.
It will also conduct a comparative analysis and establish a model to scale mentoring on a national level.
The project is the third component of a broader, targeted-employment strategy to help newcomers get their credentials recognized more quickly
By funding this project, the Government is helping to break down barriers to employment for highly skilled newcomers and supporting them as they put their skills to work in communities across Canada.
"We know that mentoring has the power to change lives - but with this project we will have further quantitative evidence of the value of mentoring to quickly help immigrants re-connect with their careers,” said Margaret Eaton, executive director of the council.
Related stories:
Canada more dependent than ever on immigrants
What more immigrant workers could mean for Canada
Salma Zahid, member of parliament for Scarborough Centre, and on behalf of Patty Hadju, minister of employment, workforce development and labour, launched the Canadian Work Experience Initiative Evaluation Mentoring Project that will help highly skilled newcomers find jobs that match their skills and training.
"Our government is committed to ensuring that no talent is left behind,” Zahid said.
The government is investing $490,000 in the project.
On average, and compared to their Canadian counterparts, immigrants have lower rates of labour force participation, and significantly higher unemployment rates. Specifically, last year, the unemployment rate for recent immigrants between 25 and 54 years old was nearly 11%.
Canadian-born people in the same age group only had an unemployment rate of just over five percent. Statistics Canada also found that just 24% of foreign-educated immigrants were working in an occupation corresponding to their field of study.
Of Canadian-born individuals, however, 62% work in their respective fields.
"Everyone deserves a fair chance at success. Our country thrives when we all are able to put our skills to work,” said Hadju.
The Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council, which will implement the pilot, will identify barriers that prevent highly skilled newcomers from obtaining Canadian work experience.
It will also conduct a comparative analysis and establish a model to scale mentoring on a national level.
The project is the third component of a broader, targeted-employment strategy to help newcomers get their credentials recognized more quickly
By funding this project, the Government is helping to break down barriers to employment for highly skilled newcomers and supporting them as they put their skills to work in communities across Canada.
"We know that mentoring has the power to change lives - but with this project we will have further quantitative evidence of the value of mentoring to quickly help immigrants re-connect with their careers,” said Margaret Eaton, executive director of the council.
Related stories:
Canada more dependent than ever on immigrants
What more immigrant workers could mean for Canada