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Making Use of Immigrant Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region Waterloo Region Voices for Voices for Change Change Centre for Research and Education in Human Services
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Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

Dec 30, 2015

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Page 1: Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

Making Use of Immigrant Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Skills to Strengthen Waterloo

RegionRegion

Voices for Voices for ChangeChange

Centre for Research and Education in Human Services

Page 2: Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

Centre for Research and Education in Human Services

An Action Research Project in the Waterloo, London and Grand Erie AreasAn Action Research Project in the Waterloo, London and Grand Erie Areas

New Canadian Program12 Dupont Street WestWaterloo, Ontario N2L 2X6519.883.0216 www.newcanadians.org

Centre for Research and Education in Human Services73 King St. West Suite 202 Kitchener, Ontario N2G 1A7519.741.1318www.crehs.on.ca

Waterloo Lead Organization:

Project Funder: Canadian Heritage

Lead Research Organization:

Page 3: Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

Waterloo Region Steering Waterloo Region Steering CommitteeCommittee

Marlene KramerMarlene KramerNew Canadian Employment ServiceNew Canadian Employment Service

Paul BurgenerPaul BurgenerIndustrial Research Assistance Industrial Research Assistance

Program. The Laurier InstituteProgram. The Laurier Institute

Daniela Seskar-HencicDaniela Seskar-HencicRegion of Waterloo Public HealthRegion of Waterloo Public Health

Carol SimpsonCarol SimpsonWaterloo Wellington Training & Waterloo Wellington Training &

Adjustment BoardAdjustment Board

Abdul WaheedAbdul WaheedInternationally Trained EngineerInternationally Trained Engineer

Neera MehtaNeera MehtaKW Multicultural CentreKW Multicultural Centre

Murray ZinkMurray ZinkDALSADALSA

Wayne WettlauferWayne Wettlaufer M.P.PM.P.P. .

Maggie LiangMaggie LiangClaricaClarica

Jennifer RoggemannJennifer RoggemannPaquette Travers Deutschmann Paquette Travers Deutschmann KellyKelly Law Firm Law Firm

Tracy ZhouTracy ZhouUniversity of Waterloo University of Waterloo EngineeringEngineering

Centre for Research and Education in Human Services

Page 4: Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

Making Use of Immigrant Making Use of Immigrant SkillsSkills

Purpose:Purpose: Raise awareness about the need to use the skills of immigrants Raise awareness about the need to use the skills of immigrants

more fully and to mobilize people in Waterloo, London, and more fully and to mobilize people in Waterloo, London, and Grand Erie to call for change to that end. Grand Erie to call for change to that end.

Activities:Activities:• Local Steering Committees to guide the projectLocal Steering Committees to guide the project• Key informant interviews with experts in the fieldKey informant interviews with experts in the field• Labour market scan of skills needed within each communityLabour market scan of skills needed within each community• Survey of immigrant skills and the extent to which they are being Survey of immigrant skills and the extent to which they are being

used in each communityused in each community• International media scan and document reviewInternational media scan and document review• Series of case studies highlighting the human story behind the Series of case studies highlighting the human story behind the

issueissue• Community forums/press conferencesCommunity forums/press conferences

Centre for Research and Education in Human Services

Page 5: Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

Why Make Use of Immigrant Why Make Use of Immigrant Skills?Skills?

Help relieve skill shortages resulting from an aging population and low Help relieve skill shortages resulting from an aging population and low birth rate.birth rate.

Compete in the increasingly global marketplace with international Compete in the increasingly global marketplace with international perspectives and connections.perspectives and connections.

Job satisfaction of working in field of expertise contributes to personal, Job satisfaction of working in field of expertise contributes to personal, family, and corporate well-being.family, and corporate well-being.

Take advantage of human capital (“brain gain”) brought to our country.Take advantage of human capital (“brain gain”) brought to our country. Benefit our economy with higher taxes, disposable income, and increased Benefit our economy with higher taxes, disposable income, and increased

productivity.productivity. Capitalize on savings in educational costs. Capitalize on savings in educational costs. Add new, innovative ideas in the workplace.Add new, innovative ideas in the workplace. Demonstrate that our society gives equal opportunity to all and embraces Demonstrate that our society gives equal opportunity to all and embraces

cultural diversity.cultural diversity.

Centre for Research and Education in Human Services

Page 6: Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

Growing Voices for Growing Voices for ChangeChange

The voices are saying that Canadians need the skills that immigrants bring to their new home country.

They are saying that many immigrants are bringing the exact skills that we need to make our communities strong and vibrant.

But, most importantly, they are saying that immigrant skills—the very skills that we need—are not being used to their full potential. We are left with a backlog of under-used skills.

In the end, we all lose.

Centre for Research and Education in Human Services

Page 7: Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

Immigrant Skills…Immigrant Skills…We Need ThemWe Need Them

One in two Canadian businesses are concerned with One in two Canadian businesses are concerned with the shortage of qualified labour.the shortage of qualified labour.

A shortage of up to 1 million workers is expected in A shortage of up to 1 million workers is expected in Canada within the next 20 years. Canada within the next 20 years.

Critical job shortages loom, particularly in the health, Critical job shortages loom, particularly in the health, education, and construction fields. education, and construction fields.

2001 Census2001 Census estimated that by 2011 Canada’s entire estimated that by 2011 Canada’s entire net labour growth will come from immigration.net labour growth will come from immigration.

About 225,000 immigrants come to Canada each year About 225,000 immigrants come to Canada each year with higher targets in the future.with higher targets in the future.

Other industrialized countries are competing for Other industrialized countries are competing for immigrant labour.immigrant labour.

Centre for Research and Education in Human Services

Page 8: Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

Waterloo Region Needs Waterloo Region Needs These Skills These Skills

Regulated ProfessionsRegulated Professions• Physician or SurgeonPhysician or Surgeon• Medical Radiation TechnologistMedical Radiation Technologist• Medical Laboratory Medical Laboratory

TechnologistTechnologist• Occupational TherapistOccupational Therapist• Audiologist/Speech PathologistAudiologist/Speech Pathologist• Nurse/Practical NurseNurse/Practical Nurse• PharmacistPharmacist• PhysiotherapistPhysiotherapist• Respiratory TherapistRespiratory Therapist• Engineering Technician/ Engineering Technician/

TechnologistTechnologist

TradesTrades•Industrial ElectricianIndustrial Electrician•Sheet Metal WorkerSheet Metal Worker•Cement/Brick and Stone Cement/Brick and Stone MasonMason

•Truck/Coach Technician & Truck/Coach Technician & Truck/Trailer RepairerTruck/Trailer Repairer

•Tool and Die MakerTool and Die Maker•MouldmakerMouldmaker•Industrial Mechanic Industrial Mechanic MillwrightMillwright

•General MachinistGeneral Machinist•Construction MillwrightConstruction Millwright•Fitter – WelderFitter – Welder

Centre for Research and Education in Human Services

Page 9: Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

Immigrant Skills…Immigrant Skills…We Have ThemWe Have Them

Since Canada’s beginning as a country in 1867, approximately one-Since Canada’s beginning as a country in 1867, approximately one-sixth of its population has remained foreign-born.sixth of its population has remained foreign-born.

Today, over 18% of all Canadians are immigrants—only Australia Today, over 18% of all Canadians are immigrants—only Australia has a higher percentage of immigrants. has a higher percentage of immigrants.

Since the 1970’s immigrants have become more diverse. Since the 1970’s immigrants have become more diverse. Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal’s percentage of foreign-born Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal’s percentage of foreign-born

populations ranks very highly among world cities (#1, #3 and #7).populations ranks very highly among world cities (#1, #3 and #7). Forty-four percent of Toronto residents are foreign-born. Its schools Forty-four percent of Toronto residents are foreign-born. Its schools

serve children from over 170 countries.serve children from over 170 countries. Each year approximately 60% of Canada’s immigrants come to Each year approximately 60% of Canada’s immigrants come to

Ontario. Ontario. Ontario receives over 100,000 immigrants annually. Ontario receives over 100,000 immigrants annually. The vast majority settle in Toronto and along the highway 401 The vast majority settle in Toronto and along the highway 401

corridor. corridor. Immigrants are typically more educated than the average Ontario Immigrants are typically more educated than the average Ontario

resident and bring many skills to their new community. resident and bring many skills to their new community. Centre for Research and Education in Human Services

Page 10: Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

Waterloo Region Has Waterloo Region Has ImmigrantsImmigrants

The 2001 Census found that 22% of Waterloo Region residents The 2001 Census found that 22% of Waterloo Region residents are immigrants. This gives the region the fifth-highest percentage are immigrants. This gives the region the fifth-highest percentage of foreign-born residents in all Canadian urban areas. of foreign-born residents in all Canadian urban areas.

Between 1996 and 2001, 14,304 new Canadians came to the Between 1996 and 2001, 14,304 new Canadians came to the region. region.

Our project’s survey of about 200 recent immigrants found that of Our project’s survey of about 200 recent immigrants found that of those who had worked in a profession before coming to Canada, those who had worked in a profession before coming to Canada, just over one quarter were trained in professions that have been just over one quarter were trained in professions that have been identified as the top ten in demand in Waterloo Region.identified as the top ten in demand in Waterloo Region.

Waterloo Region has at least 146 un- or under-employed Waterloo Region has at least 146 un- or under-employed internationally educated physicians.internationally educated physicians.

Centre for Research and Education in Human Services

Page 11: Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

Immigrant Skills…Immigrant Skills…Let’s Use ThemLet’s Use Them

Voices from the Past:Voices from the Past: 1988 Provincial Task Force on Access to 1988 Provincial Task Force on Access to

Professions and Trades (APT)Professions and Trades (APT) Increasing media coverage in the 1990’sIncreasing media coverage in the 1990’s Internationally educated associations began Internationally educated associations began

lobbying governments in the 1990’slobbying governments in the 1990’s Provincial APT Unit and Federal/Provincial Working Provincial APT Unit and Federal/Provincial Working

Group on APT issuesGroup on APT issues But still the problem remains—even worseBut still the problem remains—even worse

Centre for Research and Education in Human Services

Page 12: Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

Immigrant Skills…Immigrant Skills…Let’s Use ThemLet’s Use Them

Voices from the Present:Voices from the Present: ManyMany research studies research studies showing immigrants to have higher showing immigrants to have higher

unemployment rates, aren’t typically working in their profession, unemployment rates, aren’t typically working in their profession, aren’t earning as much, get stuck in low paying jobs, face multiple aren’t earning as much, get stuck in low paying jobs, face multiple barriers in accessing their profession.barriers in accessing their profession.

LeadingLeading economists economists warning of labour shortages and barriers warning of labour shortages and barriers in utilizing needed immigrant skills.in utilizing needed immigrant skills.

ManyMany business/professional associations business/professional associations calling on calling on government to break down barriers.government to break down barriers.

All 3 All 3 provincial parties provincial parties have platforms on the issue.have platforms on the issue.

But still immigrant skills are being under-used…But still immigrant skills are being under-used…

Centre for Research and Education in Human Services

Page 13: Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

Immigrant Skills…Immigrant Skills…Let’s Use ThemLet’s Use Them

Why is this still a problem?Why is this still a problem?

Policy within and between levels of government Policy within and between levels of government is neither consistent nor coordinatedis neither consistent nor coordinated

No formal ways to ensure that government, No formal ways to ensure that government, occupational regulatory bodies, and employers occupational regulatory bodies, and employers are accountable for their actions on this issueare accountable for their actions on this issue

Negative attitudes and practices of: Canadian Negative attitudes and practices of: Canadian society, regulators, employerssociety, regulators, employers

Centre for Research and Education in Human Services

Page 14: Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

What Will it Take?What Will it Take?

““The critical moment [in social change] is when the issue becomes present The critical moment [in social change] is when the issue becomes present in national consciousness…for an issue to become recognized as a in national consciousness…for an issue to become recognized as a

wide-spread social problem is key.” wide-spread social problem is key.” -Ratna Omidvar, Maytree Foundation-Ratna Omidvar, Maytree Foundation

Local Local Calls for ChangeCalls for Change are needed that demonstrate are needed that demonstrate broad-based support of the need to make better use of broad-based support of the need to make better use of immigrant skills. This is an issue of concern for the immigrant skills. This is an issue of concern for the whole community.whole community.

These These Calls for ChangeCalls for Change compliment the work of those compliment the work of those who are developing, proposing, and implementing who are developing, proposing, and implementing workable solutions that increase access to professions workable solutions that increase access to professions and trades for immigrants.and trades for immigrants.

Centre for Research and Education in Human Services

Page 15: Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

Waterloo Region Waterloo Region Calls for ChangeCalls for Change

Waterloo region welcomes and is increasingly dependent on the skills brought Waterloo region welcomes and is increasingly dependent on the skills brought by immigrants. Over the past decade, employers and human service by immigrants. Over the past decade, employers and human service organizations within the region have been working to integrate immigrant skills organizations within the region have been working to integrate immigrant skills into the local labour market. Even so, there is recognition of their limited role into the local labour market. Even so, there is recognition of their limited role in increasing immigrants’ access to regulated professions and trades. in increasing immigrants’ access to regulated professions and trades. Increasing this access would benefit the community. Increasing this access would benefit the community. Therefore, theTherefore, the citizens, citizens, employers, and leaders of our region call onemployers, and leaders of our region call on::

GovernmentGovernmentThe federal and provincial governments to demonstrate increased The federal and provincial governments to demonstrate increased leadership toward removing barriers to professions and trades for leadership toward removing barriers to professions and trades for internationally educated persons.internationally educated persons.

Regulatory BodiesRegulatory BodiesAll occupational regulatory bodies to improve their standards of All occupational regulatory bodies to improve their standards of practice by ensuring licensing processes for internationally educated practice by ensuring licensing processes for internationally educated professionals are fair, timely, transparent, and consistent.professionals are fair, timely, transparent, and consistent.

Centre for Research and Education in Human Services

Page 16: Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

Action Needed by the Action Needed by the Federal GovernmentFederal Government

In order to implement these Calls for Change, immediate action is needed: In order to implement these Calls for Change, immediate action is needed:

Action #1:Action #1: The federal government ensure better policy coherence, as it relates to the The federal government ensure better policy coherence, as it relates to the access to professions and trades for internationally educated people, within and access to professions and trades for internationally educated people, within and between government jurisdictions.between government jurisdictions.

Action #2:Action #2: The federal government provide leadership in promoting positive attitudes The federal government provide leadership in promoting positive attitudes towards immigrants and people of colour.towards immigrants and people of colour.

Action #3:Action #3: The federal government develop a pre-immigration strategy that would The federal government develop a pre-immigration strategy that would provide accurate information about Canada needed for immigrants to make provide accurate information about Canada needed for immigrants to make informed decisions.informed decisions.

Action #4:Action #4: The federal government negotiate an agreement with the provincial The federal government negotiate an agreement with the provincial government to better coordinate the funding and delivery of employment and government to better coordinate the funding and delivery of employment and training programs for immigrants.training programs for immigrants.

Action #5:Action #5: The federal government provide additional resources to promote access to The federal government provide additional resources to promote access to professions and trades, including funding organizations representing internationally professions and trades, including funding organizations representing internationally educated professionals that would enable them to propose effective and equitable educated professionals that would enable them to propose effective and equitable systems towards the integration of immigrants into their professions.systems towards the integration of immigrants into their professions.

Centre for Research and Education in Human Services

Page 17: Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

Action Needed by the Action Needed by the Provincial GovernmentProvincial Government

In order to implement these Calls for Change, immediate action is needed:In order to implement these Calls for Change, immediate action is needed:

Action #1:Action #1: The provincial government ensure better policy coherence, as it The provincial government ensure better policy coherence, as it relates to the access to professions and trades for internationally educated relates to the access to professions and trades for internationally educated people, within and between government jurisdictions.people, within and between government jurisdictions.

Action #2:Action #2: The provincial government have a greater role in developing a The provincial government have a greater role in developing a comprehensive settlement strategy, which will assure that any federal comprehensive settlement strategy, which will assure that any federal funding committed at that time would be dedicated to settlement needs.funding committed at that time would be dedicated to settlement needs.

Action #3:Action #3: The provincial government negotiate an agreement with the federal The provincial government negotiate an agreement with the federal government to better coordinate the funding and delivery of employment government to better coordinate the funding and delivery of employment and training programs for immigrants.and training programs for immigrants.

Action #4:Action #4: The provincial government integrate the successful pilot “Bridging The provincial government integrate the successful pilot “Bridging Programs” (programs that help integrate skilled immigrants in specific Programs” (programs that help integrate skilled immigrants in specific professions and trades into the labour market) into existing service delivery professions and trades into the labour market) into existing service delivery models to ensure increased access.models to ensure increased access.

Centre for Research and Education in Human Services

Page 18: Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

Action Needed by the Action Needed by the Provincial Government Provincial Government

(Con’t)(Con’t)In order to implement these Calls for Change, immediate action is needed:In order to implement these Calls for Change, immediate action is needed:

Action #5:Action #5: The provincial government develop standards of practice for The provincial government develop standards of practice for regulatory bodies that would ensure that their licensing processes are fair, regulatory bodies that would ensure that their licensing processes are fair, timely, transparent, and consistent; with annual reporting on compliance of timely, transparent, and consistent; with annual reporting on compliance of these standards and non-compliance mechanisms put into place. these standards and non-compliance mechanisms put into place.

Action #6:Action #6: The provincial government provide additional resources for The provincial government provide additional resources for occupational regulatory bodies, post secondary educational institutions, and occupational regulatory bodies, post secondary educational institutions, and organizations representing internationally educated professionals that would organizations representing internationally educated professionals that would enable them to develop effective and equitable systems towards the enable them to develop effective and equitable systems towards the integration of immigrants into their respective professions.integration of immigrants into their respective professions.

Action #7:Action #7: The provincial Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and the The provincial Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and the Ministry of Attorney General move quickly to implement Actions #4 and 5, Ministry of Attorney General move quickly to implement Actions #4 and 5, as health-related professionals and engineering technicians/technologists as health-related professionals and engineering technicians/technologists are the professions needed most urgently in Waterloo Region.are the professions needed most urgently in Waterloo Region.

Action #8:Action #8: The provincial Ministry of Health and Long Term Care increase The provincial Ministry of Health and Long Term Care increase substantially the annual number of spaces for International Medical substantially the annual number of spaces for International Medical Graduates (IMG).Graduates (IMG).

Centre for Research and Education in Human Services

Page 19: Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

Action Needed by Action Needed by Regulatory BodiesRegulatory Bodies

In order to implement these Calls for Change, immediate action is needed:In order to implement these Calls for Change, immediate action is needed:

Action #1:Action #1: All 38 occupational regulatory bodies consult with associations All 38 occupational regulatory bodies consult with associations representing internationally educated professionals to develop standards of representing internationally educated professionals to develop standards of practice that ensure licensing processes are fair, timely, transparent, and practice that ensure licensing processes are fair, timely, transparent, and consistent.consistent.

Action #2:Action #2: All 38 occupational regulatory bodies provide public reports outlining All 38 occupational regulatory bodies provide public reports outlining the number of applications for license by internationally educated the number of applications for license by internationally educated professionals, and the number of licenses actually issued to internationally professionals, and the number of licenses actually issued to internationally educated professionals.educated professionals.

Action #3:Action #3: All 38 occupational regulatory bodies provide public reports of where All 38 occupational regulatory bodies provide public reports of where internationally educated applicants reached an impasse in the process of internationally educated applicants reached an impasse in the process of licensure, and why the impasse was reached.licensure, and why the impasse was reached.

Action #4:Action #4: All 38 occupational regulatory bodies undertake licensing reviews to All 38 occupational regulatory bodies undertake licensing reviews to identify any potential barriers that exist in their licensing procedures.identify any potential barriers that exist in their licensing procedures.

Action #5:Action #5: The 22 health-related regulatory bodies and the Ontario Association of The 22 health-related regulatory bodies and the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists move quickly to Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists move quickly to implement Actions #1-3 as health-related professionals and engineering implement Actions #1-3 as health-related professionals and engineering technicians/technologists are the professions needed most urgently in technicians/technologists are the professions needed most urgently in Waterloo Region.Waterloo Region.

Centre for Research and Education in Human Services

Page 20: Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

What What YOUYOU Can Do Can Do

Listen:Listen: Listen to the experiences of Listen to the experiences of immigrants who are trying to make use of immigrants who are trying to make use of their skills. their skills.

Speak Up:Speak Up: Add your own voice to the Add your own voice to the growing chorus of voices calling for change.growing chorus of voices calling for change. Endorse Waterloo’s Endorse Waterloo’s Calls for ChangeCalls for Change..

Log on to: Log on to: www.crehs.on.cawww.crehs.on.ca

Centre for Research and Education in Human Services

Page 21: Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

Immigrant Skills...Immigrant Skills...We Need Them. We Have Them. Let’s Use We Need Them. We Have Them. Let’s Use

Them.Them.

Centre for Research and Education in Human Services

Page 22: Making Use of Immigrant Skills to Strengthen Waterloo Region

Centre for Research Centre for Research

and Education and Education

in Human Servicesin Human Services

Centre for Research and Education in Human Services

73 King Street West, Suite 202 73 King Street West, Suite 202 Kitchener, Ontario N2G 1A7Kitchener, Ontario N2G 1A7Phone: (519) 741-1318 Fax: (519) 741-8262Phone: (519) 741-1318 Fax: (519) 741-8262E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected] page: www.crehs.on.caWeb page: www.crehs.on.ca