1. New Realities. New Opportunities. A case study of multi-sector involvement: Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) Elizabeth McIsaac, TRIEC Immigrant Integration in Switzerland: The Impact of Federalism 24-25 February 2010 Bern, Switzerland

2. 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

3. Why does it matter?

4. Vision A Greater Toronto Region that prospers by fully engaging the contributions of skilled immigrants.

5. 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]

6. 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:

7. 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

8. Building awareness

9. Immigrant Success Awards

10. Building capacity

11. The Employer Roadmap www.hireimmigrants.ca/roadmap

12. Building capacity

13. Employer Workshops Equip employers with strategies, resources and tools to effectively recruit, 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

14. Thank you. www.triec.ca www.hireimmigrants.ca www.thementoringpartnership.com