1. Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region
An Opening Doors Workshop
January 21, 2010
Welcome Centre Immigrant Services - Vaughan
Presented by: Holly Burch-Hie, HR/Employment Specialist, Simpressions—A Division of Job Skills

2. Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region
Agenda
About Job Skills
Learning Outcomes
Statistics
Labour Market Integration Issues Facing Newcomers
Making Effective Referrals
Employment Services & Programs
Additional Resources
Case Studies
Questions & Answers
Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region

3. Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region
Job Skills’ Overview
Job Skills has 12 sites throughout York, Dufferin, Halton, Peel and Toronto
Services are available to all unemployed residents
Currently serves more than 25,000 individuals annually
Job Skills receives funding from the Government of Canada, provincial and municipal governments and the United Way of York Region
Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region

4. Summary of Programs & Services
Employment Services & Programs
Employment Assessment Centres
Youth Outreach & Employment Services
Job Finding Club
Newcomer Employment Services
Practice Firms
Immigrant Information Services
Welcome Centre Immigrant Services
Job Search Workshops
Employment Settlement Supports
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5. Summary of Programs & Services
Self-Employment Services & Programs
Self-Employment Benefits Program (SEB)
Opportunities Fund - SEB Program
Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP)
Special initiatives are also developed to address local labour market needs
Employment Services provided since 1988,
Business Services since 1995,
Newcomer Employment Services since 2003
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6. Job Skills' Mission Statement
Job Skills is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing people’s capacity to participate in the labour market, thereby contributing to the economic and social viability of our community.
For more information visit:
Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region

7. Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region
Learning Outcomes
Learn about labour market integration issues facing newcomers
Enhance your ability to effectively refer newcomer clients to appropriate employment services and programs
Improve your communication and connections to the York Region employment service delivery network
Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region

8. Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region
“Immigration is one of the most pressing issues facing the labour market today. Canada’s population is not increasing naturally and our employees are aging. Immigrants have the skills and expertise to enhance and expand our labour market, and it’s critical that we break down any barriers to this integration.”
Dominic D’Alessandro, CEO and President of Manulife Financial and Co-Chair of TRIEC
Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region

9. Newcomers in York Region
Approximately 900,000 people live in York Region
About 45% of people in this region were born outside of Canada
Immigrants, especially those who have been in the country for five years or less, are the fastest growing segment of York Region’s population
Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region

10. Newcomers in York Region
Between 1991 and 2001:
69% of Canada’s population growth was a result of people immigrating
the number of recent immigrants increased by 13%, while non-immigrants increased by only 3%
Between 2001 and 2006:
immigrant population accounted for about 60% of the growth
By 2011:
immigration will account for 100% of Canada’s net labour force growth
Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region

11. Newcomer Employment in York Region
Most of the immigrants who settle in York Region are well educated from a professional occupation.
The unemployment rate for university educated recent immigrants was four times greater than that of similar non-immigrants.
By addressing newcomer unemployment and under-employment issues, the other issues of settlement including access to quality heath care, housing, education and development of social supports for newcomers will also be improved.
Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region

12. Labour Market Integration Issues Facing Newcomers
Low English levels
Lack of knowledge of career paths available in Canada
Employers require recognition of educational credentials
Employers demand Canadian work experience and knowledge of Canadian corporate culture
Lack of a formal network within their own industry or profession
Lack of knowledge job search expectations within Canada
Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region

13. Before You Make Referrals
Share your success. How to make effective referrals. The right intervention for the right person at the right time.
Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region

14. English Language Training
English as a Second Language Training (ESL)
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)
To learn the English language skills that are essential to their social, economic and cultural integration into Canadian society
Enhanced Language Training – Industry Targeted
Administration/Customer Service, Accounting, Childcare or IT
20-week program offers higher level language training in a specific field
Computer skills upgrading, assisted work placement & job search support
Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region

15. English Language Training
Ontario Specific Language Training (OSLT)
Specialized language training for market sectors such as Business, Health Care and Technology
Communication Skills Practice
Opportunity to practice English conversation on a variety of topics within a relaxed and flexible group setting
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16. Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region
Career Pathing
Accreditation Assistance Access Centre (AAAC)
Outlines steps for success in the accreditation process, for both current and long-term goals
Accreditation Plans developed with one-on-one interviews
Career Solutions
Individual Employment Counselling Services and Group Sessions; referral needed from an Employment Assessment Centre
Regulated Professional Associations
Regulated professions within Ontario are very accustomed to working with newcomers to Canada
Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region

17. Education Credentials Assessment
Regulatory Bodies
Each regulatory body in Ontario decides how to assess an applicant's academic credentials
Some educational institutions and occupational regulatory bodies have their own academic assessment processes
Academic Credential Assessment Services Providers
Educational requirements differ for every profession and trade, and there are a number of different organizations that assess someone's schooling to ensure it meets Ontario's standards
Accreditation Assistance Access Centre (AAAC)
Within an action plan, realistic recommendations are made considering financial need to move forward with credentials assessment
Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region

18. Education Credentials Assessment
Global Experience Ontario
Can help internationally trained and educated individuals find out how to qualify for professional practice in Ontario
Job Connect
Assistance is available to newcomers for translation of documents and credentials assessment (WES)
Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region

19. Work Experience & Bridging Programs
Practice Firms
Participants at any given time work in real departments of a simulated business, and devote 20% of their time to an active job search
Allow participants to gain current Canadian work experience in a professional, business environment
Departments are: Administrative, Accounting/Finance, Human Resources, Marketing, Sales, Purchasing, IT (QA, Database Programmers, Network Administrators, Software Testers) and Graphic/Web Design
Ontario Bridging Programs
Bridge Training Programs help qualified internationally-trained individuals move quickly into the labour market in Ontario
Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region

20. Work Experience & Bridging Programs
Career Bridge
Paid internship program for Internationally-qualified professionals operated by Career Edge Organization
Volunteering
Work experience, networking and solid work references are provided
Wage Subsidy
Job Connect wage subsidy for employers to assist in new employees training or workplace adjustment issues
Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region

21. Mentoring and Networking
The Mentoring Partnership
Mentoring Partnership brings together recent skilled immigrants and established professionals in occupation-specific mentoring relationships
York Region service provider is COSTI Immigrant Services
Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region

22. Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region
Job Search
Job Search Workshops for Newcomers
A program that assists individuals that have a clear employment goal
Includes Orientation to the Canadian Labour Market
All job search techniques are geared to Newcomers
Job Finding Club
2 - 3 week full time job search program with assistance from job search professionals
Skills International
Web-enabled, searchable database of candidate profiles is dedicated exclusively to profiling the skills of immigrant job seekers in Ontario
Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region

23. Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region
Additional Resources
Welcome Centre
A one-stop service under one roof designed to guide and support immigrants through the maze of information and resources in York Region
HireImmigrants.ca
Designed to assist the hiring decision makers and business leaders to source, select, develop and welcome skilled immigrants as creative contributors to the workforce
Immigrant Information Services
A mobile initiative, connecting newcomers and immigrants to the services they need, right in their own community
Knowledgeable Outreach Specialists quickly determine the best starting point for each person and refer to appropriate service providers
Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region

24. Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region
Additional Resources
York Region Immigrant Portal
A resource website for newcomers on employment, housing, healthcare, education and demographic information in York Region
Settlement.org
A resource website for newcomers on immigration, citizenship, housing, health, community, employment and legal services
There is a “settlement at work” section of the website for employment counsellors working with newcomers
Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region

25. Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region
Case Studies
Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region

26. Navigating Employment Supports for Newcomers in York Region
Questions & Answers
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