Running head: SOCIAL INCLUSION FOR OVEREDUCATED FILIPINOS 1. Promoting Social inclusion for Overeducated Filipino Immigrants

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1 Running head: SOCIAL INCLUSION FOR OVEREDUCATED FILIPINOS 1 Promoting Social inclusion for Overeducated Filipino Immigrants At Sea in the Canadian Landscape Fredesminda Guevara Stenberg College

2 SOCIAL INCLUSION FOR OVEREDUCATED FILIPINOS 2 Promoting Social inclusion for Overeducated Filipino Immigrants At Sea in the Canadian Landscape Filipino immigrants comprise the largest number of arrivals in Canada and beating the influx from China and India within the last five years (Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2013). Armed with qualifications that survived stringent immigration criteria, a vast majority brings with them years of work experience and professional degrees that generally do not meet local job market standards or employer expectations (Kelly et al, 2009). As a result, highly educated and experienced Filipinos work at survival jobs which barely pay enough for living expenses or for huge debts incurred during the long and expensive immigration process (Kelly et al, 2009). Working at low-paying, unsecured, and less-skilled occupations amidst a perceived discriminatory atmosphere puts this visible minority at risk for social exclusion (Omidvar & Richmond, 2003). As newcomers, Filipino immigrants face many personal and systemic barriers to full participation in their chosen community which adversely affect their life satisfaction and wellbeing (Kelly et al, 2009). To augment this, this author proposes that a psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) approach will offer a more comprehensive and timely strategy (PSR/RSP Canada, 2013) to this pervasive issue facing new Filipino residents. Agenda for Psychosocial Rehabilitation Psychosocial rehabilitation prioritizes the goals of individuals and ensures that related opportunities are thoroughly explored and considered. With recent Filipino immigrants, PSR will assess for their identified strengths, barriers to goals, and existing supports (Sundeen, 2013). PSR will determine the areas that require focused interventions and those that need to be enhanced in order to optimize achievement of objectives. In this cultural cohort, PSR will consider the economic and social ramifications of not qualifying for jobs that are commensurate with their

3 SOCIAL INCLUSION FOR OVEREDUCATED FILIPINOS 3 expertise as well as the impact on their mental health and wellness. In addition, PSR will also look into the cultural, spiritual and political aspects to facilitate inclusion in these areas. Assessment Skilled Filipinos, like similar immigrants, anticipate better living conditions in their host country through higher paying jobs compared to their original careers. Due to several barriers, however, most end up working in lower rungs that pay the bills but reduce their over-all satisfaction with their new lives (Omidvar & Richmond, 2003). The need to pay off debts from home and send remittances to families left overseas compound the urgency for employment for basic survival. But while Filipino immigrants have a higher percentage of post-secondary education compared to homegrown citizens, they have to undergo expensive retraining or further schooling to meet Canadian standards for accreditation (Kelly et al, 2009). This further adds pressure to the already financially strapped new residents (Omidvar & Richmond, 2003). In the workplace, however, employers perceive Filipino workers as resourceful, possessing strong character and work ethic, and reliable employees who surpass expectations likely due to their higher job skills and education (Kelly, 2009). Moreover, compared to other immigrants from non-english speaking countries, most Filipino settlers have better language proficiency courtesy of a brief history of American colonization in the 20th century (Kelly, 2009) and are therefore more likely to get hired than their counterparts. In addition to these strengths, Filipino immigrants often band together and form their own tight-knit support network wherever they are. This author, being a recent Filipino newcomer, attests to the range of support that Filipinos extend to new arrivals which normally includes basic necessities, childcare, house-hunting tips and job referrals. Also, while the bulk of immigration services funding comes from the

4 SOCIAL INCLUSION FOR OVEREDUCATED FILIPINOS 4 government, non-profit organizations deliver the bulk of these services which can be extensive and client-centered (Omidvar & Richmond, 2003). Planning and Implementation A holistic PSR program for Filipino newcomers starts with getting connected with appropriate non-profit groups who often resemble one-stop PSR centers. Kamloops Immigration Services, or KIS, (2013), for example, offers a long list of supports available for newcomers who need help with settling and integration into their community such as workshops for language, life skills, and orientation. It also assist with job searches and referrals, as well as linking with other community partners and government agencies. New Filipino immigrants would benefit from assistance with navigating the foreign credential recognition process which can also be viewed from the Canadian Information Center for International Credentials (CICIC) (2014) website, or from connecting with previous newcomers in the non-profit center who have been through the process. KIS (2013) can also help with resume building with emphasis on experience and education, tips with interviewing, and information about workplace culture. New residents need to be aware about discrimination and how to deal with it, and getting this information early helps prepare them for the inevitable. In addition to job-matching assistance, other relevant information that immigration services can supply include connecting with community services such as housing, health navigation, child-minding, legal assistance and counseling for work and family issues (KIS, 2013). Moreover, a list of churches and socio-civic organizations can be supplied by non-profits and fellow Filipinos which will respond to newcomers need for spiritual connections (most Filipinos are very religious) and need for social interactions. A significant ingredient of PSR that should not be overlooked is peer support. KIS (2013) provides a mentoring program that matches an established resident with a newcomer. While a mentor is a

5 SOCIAL INCLUSION FOR OVEREDUCATED FILIPINOS 5 good source of peer support, one who is also a Filipino is a better choice to promote more affinity and empathy, as well as comfort closer to home. Evaluation A successful PSR approach results to more life satisfaction for new Filipino immigrants derived from a well-placed career comparable to their education and expertise, as well as full participation in their community in all aspects including social, cultural, spiritual and related factors (Omidvar & Richmond, 2003). They can either work for accreditation by taking courses and qualifying exams, or work their way towards peripheral but related jobs that don t require licensing. If these steps are not feasible, other ways can be used which may require variations such as going into a different field which may require further training. It is important to ask the client what he would like to do and start again from there, so that the approach is still clientfocused but realistic. Conclusion Immigration services and the Filipino community as PSR implementers pave the way for new immigrants to achieve social inclusion with their range of supports which respond to the varied needs of overeducated Filipino newcomers. With PSR s overarching theme of clientcenteredness, it does cover the pertinent areas in a new Filipino immigrant s life to effectively integrate into the community as a valued and productive member.

6 SOCIAL INCLUSION FOR OVEREDUCATED FILIPINOS 6 References Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials. (2014). Assessment and recognition of credentials for the purpose of employment in Canada. Retrieved from Citizenship and Immigration Canada. (2013). Facts and figures-2012-immigration overview: Permanent and temporary residents. Retrieved from Kamloops Immigrant Services. (2013). Settlement and Integration. Retrieved from Kelly, P., Astorga-Garcia, M., Esguerra, E., & Community Alliance for Social Justice, Toronto. (2009). Explaining the de-professionalized Filipino: Why Filipino immigrants get lowpaying jobs in Toronto. CERIS Working Paper Series N. 75. Retrieved from Omidvar, R. & Richmond, T. (2003). Immigrant settlement and social inclusion in Canada. Working Paper Series: Perspectives on Social Inclusion. Retrieved from f PSR/RPS Canada (2014). PSR Principle Cores and Values. Retrieved from: Sundeen, S.J. (2013). Recovery support. In Stuart, G. (Ed.), Principles and practice of psychiatric nursing (pp ). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier