Canada is currently facing a puzzling dilemma; low unemployment and historic labour shortages happening at the same time.
A recent Statistics Canada survey suggests there are approximately only 44 new employees being hired for every 100 vacancies with particularly large shortages across Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, Food Services, and Healthcare and Social Assistance.
So what’s the solution?
Some suggest that immigration is key; Canada’s immigration minister has unveiled a new plan to allow more temporary residents to become permanent residents in Canada to help fill these shortages. Newcomers to Canada can help fill much-needed job vacancies and help mitigate this unprecedented labour shortage, which has persisted since the height of COVID-19.
Fortunately, the ISSofBC is helping contribute to the cause. Their ongoing work assists skilled immigrant and refugee job seekers overcome the massive challenges they face when looking for, or continuing, their careers in Canada.
“Newcomers are some of the most resilient groups of people I've had the privilege to work with”, says Gesow Azam, senior program manager at ISSofBC. “They need to work 100 times as hard as the average job seeker just to get their foot in the door.”
Driele Stanger moved to Canada from Brazil after graduating as a civil engineer in 2013 and working as a civil engineer in training in Brazil for about four years. They left Brazil for a profound reason; they didn’t feel safe.
“I wanted to start a family in a country where I can walk on the streets without worrying”, says Stanger.
Fortunately, Stanger was able to find help through Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants, a one-on-one personalized support program for skilled immigrant and refugee job seekers who want to land a career comparable to their current occupation while in Canada.
“I had a mentor from day one that helped me to set my goals, adjust my resume, and training courses that helped to improve my skills to get better job opportunities,” says Stanger. “When I moved in I wanted to start working again in my field, but there were many challenges to face such as learning a new language, networking, and getting familiar with the Canadian working environment and culture.”
As part of the Career Paths program, ISSofBC offers services such as settlement support, career and employment programs, English classes, refugee services, employer matching, and mentorship programs. Funding can even be provided for clients’ training, re-credentialing, and necessary licensing. Funding (at no cost to the client) is provided for training, re-credentialing, and licensing. Clients are also provided opportunities to broaden their professional network through participation in events, mentorship, and employer matching.
It’s a win-win. As a result of Career Paths, Stanger is currently in the process of applying for their Civil Engineering license, giving them the opportunity they came to Canada for, while filling one of the nearly one million job vacancies in Canada, and starting the family they dreamed of.
“In Canada, I feel safe,” says Stanger. “My daughter, now 6 years old, has access to a great education and so many more opportunities than in Brazil.”
It was a similar story for Youssef Haritah, a Moroccan electrical engineer who worked in different industries such as power plants, fertilizer plants, and solar projects prior to moving to Canada in 2021.
“My job was to design and implement electrical systems as well as project management and construction management of industrial projects,” says Haritah. “I was humbled to find Career Paths supporting me – I received skills enhancement funds that I used to develop some necessary technical skills and get my registration as an engineer-in-training with EGBC.”
Haritah started working at Greenlight Innovation as an electrical engineer on April 3. In his new job, he will develop the electrical design for fuel cell automated test equipment.
Career Paths is so much more than a resource, it offers proper support and allyship to its clients, aiming to show consideration for their feelings, wishes, rights, and traditions along the way.
Living proof of this is Azam, who has witnessed and participated in countless success stories like Stanger’s and Haritah’s. “My standout moment occurs each time a client gains meaningful employment, and returns to us to mentor our newcomer clients”, says Azam. “It's really such a beautiful cycle.”
As the go-to employment support program for professional newcomer immigrants, ISSofBC’s Career Paths program is a bridge to career fulfillment for newcomers to Canada and an essential step towards addressing the labour shortage we’re all facing as a nation together. Fortunately, the job market is in good hands.
Eligibility requirements have changed to include permanent residents and protected persons who have lived in Canada for the last 10 years or less. This is up from the previous 5-year requirement and as such, previous applicants who were disqualified for this reason are encouraged to re-apply.
To learn more about the Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants program or how the ISSofBC can help you, visit issbc.org/ask
