Professional Immigrant Networks (PINs) Initiative

#CdnImm #14 18 Apr 2013

Yves Danteu, TRIEC

Outline

• Introduction to the PINs initiative

• What we do at PINs

• Ways you can engage

What are professional immigrant associations?

• Volunteer-run, member-led immigrant associations made up of skilled immigrants

• Established leadership with articulated mission & objectives

• Employment element

Associations by the numbers

• 40 networks on the PINs website

• 50% are organized by ethno-cultural group

• 30% of networks reported that over half of their members are newcomers

• Top 3 professions represented: Engineering, Business & IT

• 60% do not charge membership fees

• Over 50% have 100 – 500 members

What is PINs?

A network of associations building connections for immigrant employment

Goal: To work collaboratively with associations and partners to build the capacity of the networks to connect their members to employment

PINs initiative objectives & activities

Build capacity: Strengthen the individual and collective organizational capacity of the associations

• Capacity Building workshops• PINs website

PINs initiative objectives & activities

Develop and empower leaders: Create a network of leaders and support their development

• External learning opportunities• Immigrant voice - consultations• Media opportunities• Speaking opportunities

PINs initiative objectives & activities

Make connections: Create effective working relationships between the networks & other stakeholders

• Pilot programs or activities (e.g. Group Mentoring)• Awareness-building and referrals (including job postings,

connections to employment programs and supports)• Partnership opportunities

PINs initiative objectives & activities

www.NetworksForImmigrants.ca

Ways to engage

• Refer leaders of immigrant groups to the PINs initiative

• Help promote the directory to immigrants

• Become a PINs partner & establish relationships with the associations

• Help strengthen the voice of immigrant leaders through consultations & profiling opportunities (e.g. As speakers, mentors)

Yves DanteuManager, PINsToronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC)ydanteu@triec.ca

www.NetworksForImmigrants.ca