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.
A World of Opportunities
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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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| 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 |