OECD Conference - May 2008
The Brampton Board of Trade - 2nd Annual Job Fair - May 2008
Opportunities 2008 Conference - April 2008
The Brampton Board of Trade Job Fair - Thursday, April 19th, 2007
Meeting the Skills Challenge - Wednesday, April 4, 2007
February "After Business" Tuesday, February 12, 2008

OECD Conference - May 2008

In May, 2008, the Skills Without Borders Programme Coordinator, Dr. Yamil H. Alonso, participated, on behalf of the Brampton Board of Trade, in the Metropolitan Review of the Greater Toronto Area of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Established in 1961 and based in Paris, the OECD brings together the governments of 30 countries committed to democracy and market economy from around the world, including Canada to support sustainable economic growth, boost employment, raise standards of living, maintain financial stability and contribute to growth in world trade.

As part of the in-depth analysis of the economic, social, cultural and environmental factors affecting the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)’s long term prosperity, a session was dedicated to the issues of Diversity Advantage, Social Inclusion and Immigration and Integration.

During this session the position of the BBOT, based on the findings and accomplishments of its Skills Without Borders project, was presented and debated.

The content of the presentation, titled “BBOT prospective: Opportunities and challenges regarding the employment integration of skilled immigrants into the Canadian workplace in their fields of training and expertise” included explanations about the following topics and view points:

• Immigrants coming to Canada are told that their skills are needed, but they are not told where in Canada they are needed

• Economic class immigrants are selected according to a point system based on

Language, qualifications (credentials,) and experience

• After landing they settle where previous immigrant from same countries and backgrounds have already settled, not necessarily where their skills are in short supply.

• In addition, they encounter language barriers, difficulties with credential assessment, recognition and licensing, rejection based on a lack of “Canadian experience”, and numerous cultural related barriers.

• Settlement organizations and Government programs at all levels have addressed these barriers, but with limited success.

• BBOT initiative “Skills Without Borders” is tackling the issue of employment integration of skilled immigrants, in their fields of training and expertise, from the employers’ prospective.

• To make the so called “business case” based on “labour shortages” is not appropriate: there are not labour shortages in Canada in all regions and in all sectors of the Economy (current unemployment rate stands at 6%).

• At the present time an awareness campaign focused on the fact that “Diversity is Good for Business” is being conducted. Diversifying the workforce helps addressing the needs of a multicultural consumers’ base, and do business in a global economy. Internationally trained professionals bring assts to the market place that Canadian born and trained professionals don’t necessarily have: a second language, international credentials and experience.

• Partnerships are to be developed between settlement organizations, chambers of commerce and government departments to conduct more accurate regional labour needs research, structure the immigration plans accordingly and address the issue of employment integration of skilled immigrants.

To read more about OECD, please visit www.oecd.org

The Brampton Board of Trade - 2nd Annual Job Fair - For local employers
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
10:00 a.m. to 6:00

As part of its Skills Without Borders initiative, The Brampton Board of Trade, with support from The Region of Peel, hosted its 2nd Annual Job Fair for local employers with skills needs.

This was an opportunity for leading employers in Peel to meet with internationally-trained professionals and trades people during the day-long job fair at the Holiday Inn Brampton.  More than 400 job seekers met with the almost 40 companies who participated, including Coca Cola, The Region of Peel, Canadian Forces, various Financial Institutions and settlement organizations such as Costi and Acces.

The Brampton Board of Trade hosted the Job Fair to promote and facilitate the hiring of newcomers, as a way of addressing the shortage of skills and labour required by various employers in our community.

The event featured exhibits and staff from 40 leading employers in the region with current or anticipated job openings to fill.

Opportunities 2008 Conference - April 2008

In April, 2008, the Skills Without Borders Project Coordinator, Dr. Yamil H. Alonso, represented the BBOT at the 9th Annual Opportunities Conference “Workforce 2010: Preparing for tomorrow’s challenges” in Niagara Falls.

Dr. Alonso co-presented, together with Daisy Wright, a proposal for a “Mentoring Model for Employers to Ensure Successful Workforce Integration of New Immigrants”.

According to the organizers of the conference, ONESTEP and the Ontario Alliance of Career Development Practitioners, Opportunities 2008 was a very successful gathering and workshop, and the presentation on behalf of the BBOT was rated as “one of the best presentations because of the content and discussions involving a Chamber of Commerce”, as well as for the” knowledge and passion of the presenter and his innovative approaches”.

The content of the presentation and follow up debate included:

1. The Social Case for Employment Integration of Skilled Immigrants
• The “compassionate approach”
• Consequences for the communities
• Consequences for the newcomers

2. The Canadian Point Based Immigration Criteria
• Main parameters to be selected/accepted
• Reality after landing: the” three main barriers”

3. Government Programs and Settlement Organizations
• Language courses, credentials assessment, “Canadian experience”
• Diversity awareness and Canadian acculturation

4. Basing the Business Case on “Skills Shortages”
• Federal Stats and “the Business Case”
• The Australian Immigration System
• Local labour demand and its consequences

5. Making the Right Business Case: Diversity is Good for Business!
• Demand and Supply( skills needed and talent available)
• Marketing the assets of skilled immigrants

6. Language, Credentials, Experience: Barriers or Assets?
• Assets of skilled immigrants
• Cultural diversity in the Canadian workplace

7. Accessing the Talent Pool of Skilled Immigrants: Building, Retaining, and
Managing a Culturally Diverse Workforce
• Ways and means
• Job posting and interviewing

8. Conclusions: The Right Approach, The Right Model
• Employment and Integration of skilled immigrants (opportunities, fairness and transparency)• Diversity awareness campaign (integration-accommodation)
• Partnerships between settlement-employment agencies and chambers of commerce
• The right message and the right “messenger”
• The right approach; recommended model

A full version of the presentation is available at this website .
To learn more about the Opportunities 2008 Conference and about ONESTEP, please visit www.onestep.on.ca/opportunuties/

The Brampton Board of Trade Job Fair - Thursday, April 19th, 2007
As part of its Skills Without Borders initiative, The Brampton Board of Trade, with support from The Region of Peel, will host a Job Fair for local employers with skills needs. This is an opportunity to meet with internationally-trained professionals and trades people. We have limited space but we can accommodate up to 50 businesses. Register early to secure a location at our Job Fair.

Date: Thursday, April 19th, 2007
Time: 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Venue: Holiday Inn Select Brampton, 30 PEEL CENTRE DRIVE, BRAMPTON

Tables/booths provided. Light food is available.

There is no charge for this event. Due to limited space, the BBOT reserves the right to accept and decline exhibitors' applications for The Brampton Board of Trade JOB FAIR. Priority will be given to employers with current jobs and/or anticipated openings in the next six months.

Meeting the Skills Challenge
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Two recent surveys conducted by The Brampton Board of Trade conclude there is shortage of skilled labour, and attracting and retaining good employees is becoming an increasing concern for employers. The effective employment integration of skilled immigrants can contribute significantly to meeting the demand for skilled labour and sustaining a strong local economy now and in the future.

Learn more by attending one or both of our Meeting the Skills Challenge sessions.



Keynote Speaker on Wednesday April 4, 2007
Marni Johnson, B.A., Cert. AIMD
President of Workplace Communications & Diversity Inc.
"A Two Way Street"- Integrating Skilled Immigrants into your Workplace"

Dates: Wednesday, April 4
Time: 7:30am to 10:00am.
Venue: Brampton Golf Club - 7700 KENNEDY ROAD SOUTH, BRAMPTON

AGENDA:
7:30-8:00 Breakfast
8:00-8:20 Keynote Speaker (to be announced)
8:20-8:45 Testimonial of Success Stories
8:45-9:45 Question-Answer Panel
Panelists:
Kevin McLellan, Project Manager, TRIEC.
Hilary Schuldt, Assistant Manager, COSTI Immigrant Services.
Daisy Wright, founder of The Wright Career Solution
Terri Webber, Employment Counselor, Brampton Neighbourhood Resource Centre
Manjeet Dhiman & Irene Sihvonen, Directors of Services ACCES
9:45-10:00 Closing Remarks

February "After Business" Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - TO READ MORE AND VIEW PLEASE CLICK HERE
Bramalea City Center 25 City Centre Drive The Bay Court

At 3:30 p.m. The Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) is pleased to present:

20 Journeys: A Visual Essay of the Immigrant Experience.
20 Journeys tells the story of immigrants who have contributed to the vibrancy of the Toronto Region, and celebrates their success and the programs and employers that have shared in their milestones.

The immigrants who share their stories come from many walks of life, and many professions, but all share one common goal: finding work in Canada in their chosen field.

The exhibit is part of an ongoing public awareness campaign by the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) about the importance of effectively integrating skilled immigrants in the labour market.

The Brampton Board of Trade's After Business reception and networking event will be held at the usual time - 4:30 -6:30 p.m.