The Greater Halifax Partnership works to increase the number of high-quality jobs and new investment that comes to Greater Halifax. As a leader in economic growth, we are aware that skilled immigrants are a key factor in Canada’s economic growth and prosperity. The Canadian-born workforce is shrinking and the demand for labour is growing. Skilled immigrants:

• Help Canadian companies do business with the world.
• Bring international expertise - can provide companies with a competitive edge by using their knowledge and experience to serve diverse local and international markets.
• Have the ability to communicate effectively in more than one language, thus enhancing their business edge within changing local markets and growing international markets.
• Possess skills and strengths such as, flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances, perseverance, determination, and strong work ethic.
  
  

Discover more about the business advantages that can be realized by hiring immigrant workers at the ImmigrationWorksinHalifax website.

Many companies have not yet tapped into the vast potential that lies in hiring immigrants, often because some aspects of this process are commonly viewed as challenges. In reality, many of these perceived “challenges” can actually bring a whole new world of opportunities to your organization.

Challenge:  Half of Canada's employers say they don't bother to check resumes from immigrant job candidates with overseas education or foreign work experience.
* According to the 2004 report from the Public Policy Forum

Opportunity: Employers gain a competitive advantage when they recognize the value of international experience and understand that a skilled immigrant's strong track record in another country will likely be repeated in Canada.

Challenge: Many skilled immigrants’ international credentials are often not immediately recognizable to Canadian employers; international experience is often devalued or considered irrelevant in Canada

Opportunity: An organization that can recognize the transferability of a skilled immigrant's training and education can gain a definite competitive advantage. By using Canadian credential assessment services, employers are able to increase their familiarity and comfort level with international credentials.

Challenge: Global trade is rising. Canadian companies no longer compete only with neighbourhood industries in local markets; they must respond to worldwide demands and source international talent.

Opportunity: Building more international networks, increasing diversity awareness and improving relationships with global suppliers are all essential for maintaining a global competitive advantage. Skilled immigrants can contribute international skills, experience, and languages to the benefit of an organization.

Challenge: A shrinking workforce causes employers to have an increasing demand for productivity and labour. They need to understand how skilled immigrants can meet their workforce needs.

Opportunity: In 2002, 46% (81,986) of all immigrants to Canada had at least one post-secondary degree, while the Canadian average was 22%. (hireimmigrants.ca)

Over the next 10 years, more than two thirds of the 1.7 million new non-student jobs created (69.2%) are expected to be in occupations usually requiring postsecondary education (university or college) or in management. In 2005, approximately 60% of all non-student workers had jobs in these categories. (hireimmigrants.ca)

Skilled immigrants may possess talents or accreditation in a variety of fields. Employers will benefit from understanding their international credentials and conducting workforce planning that emphasizes the quality of an immigrant's abilities.

Challenge: Major Canadian cities have seen an influx of immigration over the past several years, with minority group populations outpacing Canada's overall population growth. To gain access to these potential consumers, companies are faced with the challenge of building networks and relationships with customers of diverse cultures.

Opportunity: Skilled immigrants can be valuable resources for understanding product and service needs in ethno-specific markets. They can also provide a competitive advantage by improving networks and relationships, by speaking a variety of languages and adding diverse perspectives, experiences and skills sets to the workforce.