Integrating Immigrant Talent

Presentation to the Diversity Forum October 16, 2009

Increasing the Capacity of SMEs to Hire and Retain ITIs Project

Funded by the Government of Ontario Ministry of Citizenship & Immigration

Presentation

Current labour market projections Immigrant talent to Toronto and employment outcomes Challenges in integrating immigrant talent Ontario colleges’ project on enhancing employer abilities

to recruit and select immigrant talent Some general recommendations that can aid

organizations integrate immigrant talent

Labour Market Projections

Retirement Rates (Statistics Canada, Census 2006) 12.5% of Toronto workforce near retirement (55 to 64) 21.5% in business, finance and administration occupations and 20.2% work in

sales and service occupations High retirement rates within NOC-B/C occupations and primary sector but not

within NOC-A professional fields (some exceptions)

Job Creation Predictions (Ontario Futures) 22% jobs to require university degree 29% jobs to require college diploma 29% jobs to require grade 12 or training

Emerging fields (Ontario Futures) Knowledge intensive areas requiring high levels of education (Masters/PhD)

currently unknown

Labour Market ProjectionsEconomic situation/ downturn (Conference Board of Canada; RBC Poll

2009) Economic loss of $4-5 billion each year from underutilizing immigrants Canada rated “D” in productivity and innovation since 1980s 28% of boomer retirees delaying exit due to the economy Conservative hiring estimates Job losses in manufacturing and restructuring

Eventual economic growth (Ontario Futures; Statistics Canada, Census 2006)

Technological changes will fuel limited but steady demand for university-educated professionals in emerging occupations (NOC-A)

Predominantly trades and support professions (NOC-B/C) shortages identified

By 2017 immigration will account for all net additions to the labour force in Canada

Immigrant Talent Annually 30% of 260,000 Canadian immigrants (78,000) settle in Toronto Highly educated group (70+% economic class; have Bachelor’s degree or

higher; IELTS 7 English fluency level; 20+% in regulated professions; highly multilingual)

Disconnect between labour market projections and immigrant talent being recruited - immigration system skewed towards professionals with high levels of education and experience whereas shortages in NOC B/C levels

Employment outcomes for immigrants are very poor - consistent de-skilling and downward mobility of immigrant NOC-A professionals to NOC C/D professions

Movement from management to primary occupations is visible (CIITE Immigrant Survey 2009-09; other sources)

Strategies to fix employment outcomes for immigrants have included over $60m spent on bridge training for immigrants since 2003 benefiting 30,000 newcomers (Government of Ontario; PROMPT) + newcomer program funding (Canada - Ontario Labour Market Accord) of $900m over 5 years

ChallengesFunding History Focus over the past two decades has been on “fixing the immigrant” by

providing services/ training Emphasis needs to be on helping employers to better hire and recruit

immigrant talent Make the business case for diversity

The usual suspects Language, credentials, “fit” (as a catch-all phrase for many issues) (multiple

studies)

The underlying suspects Ability to source diverse candidates, screen resumes, be able to interview

diverse talent, decode “fit” and create an inclusive environment Cultural competence on the employer side is critical for making good hiring

decisions

CON*NECT/ ICHR Project

Ontario colleges move strategically into employer cultural competence training

Increasing the Capacity of Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) to Hire and Retain Internationally Trained Immigrants (ITIs)

Pre-piloted “recruitment and selection” cultural competence workshops developed by TRIEC and Ryerson University (150 employers in pilot)

Objective to equip employers (hiring managers, HR professionals, small business owners) with techniques, strategies, tools and resources to effectively recruit and select qualified skilled immigrants into the labour market

Workshops align well with Ontario colleges mandate to provide training to enhance the work place

College system to deliver 160 workshops to 1,800 SMEs across Ontario (large enterprises can also participate) from January 2010 to March 2011

SMEs have fewer than 500 employees and annual revenue of $50m

CON*NECT/ ICHR ProjectRecruitment Address issue of skills shortages by considering skilled immigrants as a

talent source to fill recruitment gaps Mitigate selection bias in the creation of a job description, in identifying

channels to advertise a job opening, and during screening

Selection Identify cultural biases and assumptions that occur during the interview that

may inadvertently or unconsciously impede one’s ability to make a good hiring decision

Workshop Format Simulation-based, experiential learning model (videos, role play exercises,

case studies) including pre/post workshop survey to measure change in cultural competence

What can we all do differently?Based on research and experience

Set cultural competence and diversity as a strategic priority Involve the senior team to lead the strategic direction Create an open space for communication about cultural competence,

diversity, inclusiveness Provide all staff with cultural competence training Dedicate resources to evaluation of cultural competence and diversity

objectives Consult all stakeholders (including users/recipients) effectively prior to

developing new strategies, policies and programs Engage in meaningful cross-sector collaboration to develop

comprehensive solutions

ContactNikhat Rasheed, Senior Project Manager, CON*NECT/ICHR Projectrasheed@collegeconnect.on.ca; 416-305-7830