New Realities. New Opportunities.

A case study of multi-sector involvement:Toronto Region Immigrant Employment

Council (TRIEC)

Elizabeth McIsaac, TRIECImmigrant Integration in Switzerland: The Impact of Federalism24-25 February 2010 Bern, Switzerland

• Toronto City Summit Alliance• The Maytree Foundation• Manulife Financial• Multi-stakeholder:

Employers, universities, colleges, unions, community and immigrant organizations, occupational regulatory bodies, all three levels of government

TRIEC: A story of leadership

Why does it matter?

Vision

A Greater Toronto Region that prospers by fully engaging the contributions of skilled

immigrants.

What does TRIEC do?

1. Convenes and collaborates with partners, creating opportunities for skilled immigrants to connect to the local labour market. [individual]

2. Works with key stakeholders, particularly employers, building their awareness and capacity to better integrate skilled immigrants into the workforce. [organizational]

3. Works with all levels of government, enhancing coordination and effecting more responsive policy and programs for skilled immigrant employment. [systemic]

Solution• Occupation-specific matches between a newly arrived skilled

immigrant and their established Canadian counterpart• Since 2004, more than 5000 matches have been made• Nearly 80% of mentees surveyed have found full-time positions• Participation of 50+ corporate partners to recruit mentors

Making connections

Immigrants lack professional networks that help make linkages to employment opportunities:

Making connections

Immigrants lack Canadian work experience often required by employers:

Solution• Paid internship program that provides first Canadian work

experience, operated by Career Edge Organization• Since 2003 over 1000 interns have been placed• Currently there are over 350 active host organizations• Nearly 80% of interns secure full-time positions in their field

Building awareness

Building awareness

Immigrant Success Awards

Building capacity

Building capacity

The Employer Roadmapwww.hireimmigrants.ca/roadmap

Building capacity

Employer Workshops

Equip employers with strategies, resources and tools to effectivelyrecruit, select, and integrate skilled immigrants

Recruit: Sourcing channels to attract skilled immigrant job candidates

Select: Recognizing international credentials; Identifying cultural biases and assumptions that can affect hiring decisions

Integrate: Creating inclusive work environments to ensure equal participation; Identifying systemic barriers that can prevent full inclusion; Building Cross-cultural competence (individual, organizational); Creating strategies for educating recruiters, hiring managers, and general employee base

Building capacity

Thank you.

www.triec.ca

www.hireimmigrants.ca

www.thementoringpartnership.com