Essential Skills and the Integration of Newcomers into the Canadian Labour Market

Essential Skills and the Integration of Newcomers into the Canadian Labour Market

Immigration and the Canadian Labour Market Immigration is expected to play an increasingly important role in Canada s economy given the slow growing labour force, aging population and rising demand for both highskilled and low skilled labour. While employers and provinces see immigration as a solution to labour shortages, recent immigrants continue to struggle to find work that is commensurate with their skills and experience, and many high skilled immigrants are unable to have their foreign credentials recognized. 2

CIC s strategies to improve labour market integration 1. The creation of a just in time immigration system: Transformation of the economic immigration program, making it faster and more flexible, based on Canada s labour market needs 2. Targeted interventions for newcomers under the Settlement Program: Equipping newcomers with sufficient linguistic communication skills (including literacy) and other skills (including essential skills), as well as the information and support they need to enter into the labour market and contribute to the economy. 3. Foreign Credentials: Helping internationally trained individuals (ITIs) receive the information, path finding and referral services to have their credentials and skills assessed as quickly as possible, so they can find work faster in the fields for which they have been trained 4. Work with Employers: Ensuring that Canada s immigration plans align with its current and projected labour market needs through employer engagement Developing tools for employers and regulatory bodies to help them integrate internationally trained workers Funding labour market programming that works with employers to allow them to access the immigrant labour pool at all skill levels 3

Creation of a just in time immigration system (1/2) The Economic Action Plan 2012 announced the transformation of CIC s suite of economic immigration programs to create a just in time system that recruits people with the right skills. Some highlights: Federal Skilled Worker (FSW): the selection points grid (effective May 4, 2013) will prioritize younger immigrants with better language skills and more Canadian work experience. Applicants must have their foreign educational credentials assessed and verified as part of the selection process. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): a new program (effective January 2, 2013) for skilled tradespersons who have: at least two years of work experience basic language proficiency at CLB level 5 (speaking and listening), and CLB 4 (reading and writing). Applicants must meet National Occupational Classification (NOC) requirements, and have an offer of full time employment for at least one year OR a certificate of qualification issued by a provincial or territorial body. 4

Creation of a just in time immigration system (2/2) Canadian Experience Class (CEC): (effective January 2, 2013) the work requirement is 12 months for international student graduates and skilled temporary foreign workers (who previously required 24 months of Canadian experience) both have up to 36 months to earn it. Expression of Interest system (EOI): In 2012, Federal, Provincial and Territorial (FPT) Ministers committed to developing and implementing an Expression of Interest (EOI) model for Canada wherein EOIs are submitted by prospective immigrants. Those applicants who submit EOIs that best match national and regional skill needs could be invited to submit an immigration application. CIC s goal is to launch the EOI system by 2014. 5

Labour Market Barriers For Newcomers While attracting the best talent is critical to Canada s economic success, CIC is also working to reduce labour market barriers experienced by newcomers from all immigration categories (including refugees with low skills) so that principal applicants, as well as their spouses and dependants, can participate in Canada s economic, social, cultural, and civic life. Key barriers to labour market integration: Inadequate language proficiency and other skills (including essential skills) Lack of Canadian work experience (international experience) Discounted international credentials Lack of knowledge regarding Canadian workplace culture There is no one size fits all approach to settlement programming to address all of these barriers as newcomers (regardless of their skill level) can face any number of these challenges. 6

Services for Newcomers 7

The Settlement Program CIC funds programs to support the settlement, resettlement, and integration of newcomers into Canadian society focused on information/orientation, language/skills, labour market access, and welcoming communities. Programming is delivered by third parties (including provincial and municipal governments, school boards and post secondary institutions, Settlement Service Providers and other nongovernmental actors, and the private sector) across the country. Quebec designs, delivers, and administers their own settlement services under the Canada Quebec Accord. 8

CIC s Services for Newcomers & Literacy and Essential Skills Literacy and Essential Skills (LES) are included in a number of services offered by CIC Literacy and Essential Skills Reading Writing Document Use Numeracy Digital Technology Thinking Oral Communication Working with Others Continuous Learning Settlement Services Overseas: Canadian Orientation Abroad Canadian Immigrant Integration Program (CIIP) In Canada: Language Training Employment Services Skills Development Tools Development Existing LES tools are promoted by Settlement Service Providers, including umbrella organization websites like Settlement.Org 9

Canadian Immigrant Integration Program (Overseas) Canadian Immigrant Integration Program (CIIP) is an overseas program funded by CIC and delivered by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC). CIIP provides Federal Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominees, their spouses and adult dependents with voluntary and free group orientation sessions in China, India, Philippines, and the UK (which offers service to British Isles, the Persian Gulf and Scandinavia). CIIP s one day orientation workshop provides a general overview of working in Canada, as well as detailed information on job readiness, licensure, and the labour market programs offered by Settlement Service Providers in Canada. CIIP also delivers information pertaining to essential skills, such as an orientation about the Canadian workplace and its culture. 10

Language Instruction For Newcomers To Canada (LINC) CIC funds language training to help newcomers develop sufficient linguistic communication skills (including literacy) in one of Canada s official languages, and other essential skills in different contexts (e.g. employment related and social) to function in Canadian society and contribute to the economy. CIC s language training curriculum guidelines are based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), which provide descriptions of communicative proficiency levels in four skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. For example, CIC s Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) / Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada (CLIC) is offered at CLB 1 7 Job specific language training (offered at CLB levels 7 10), combines language training with a Canadian work experience and/or skills component. For example, CIC has funded the Occupational Specific Language Training program offered by a number of Ontario colleges. 11

Essential Skills and LINC The beginning of Essential Skills scale corresponds with CLB level 5 (2005 CCLB study, Relating Canadian Language Benchmarks to Essential Skills ). While the majority of Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC )learners are below CLB 5, Essentials Skills tools may be adapted to language training since the CLB is task based, stressing community, study and employment related tasks. For example, learning material includes documents found in daily life such as government forms, menus, telephone bills, etc. It is important to recognize and highlight the ways in which LINC incorporates Essential Skills into language training at all levels. 12

Labour Market Services (Employment and Skills) In addition to language learning activities, CIC funds a number of labour market services for high and low skilled newcomers which are delivered by a range of partners, including employers. These services include: job search workshops networking opportunities internships, mentorships, and/or work placements CIC s employment initiatives for newcomers have dedicated components on essential skills, including: modules on Canadian workplace culture business etiquette presentation skills computer skills 13

Labour Market Services: Examples of Programming English Training at Work: In various provinces, CIC funds workplace language projects for newcomers. This training facilitates career advancement, and integration. For employers, these services help improve productivity and increase employee retention. LASI World Skills: Offers various programs to assist newcomers in increasing their employability in the Canadian labour market, including cross cultural workplace training. Federal Internship for Newcomers Program: Newcomers gain Canadian work experience and skills enhancement within the public service. Immigrant Access Fund: CIC supports HRSDC s Foreign Credential Recognition Loan Pilot project through a contribution agreement with the Immigrant Access Fund (IAF) of Alberta that provides skilled immigrants with loans to support the Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) process such as licensing exams. 14

Foreign Credentials 15

Foreign Credential Recognition CIC is not only active in enhancing the essential skills of newcomers, but is also finding ways for internationally acquired skills to be quickly integrated into the Canadian Labour Market. Foreign credential recognition (FCR) is the process of verifying that education and job experience obtained in another country is equivalent to the standards established for Canadian professionals and tradespersons. 16

Why FCR is a hurdle for immigrants professional integration According to many newcomers, FCR processes are confusing, time consuming and, in some instances, costly. FCR processes are complex due to various jurisdictional roles, boundaries and responsibilities: Provinces and Territories (P/Ts) are responsible for licensing trades and most regulated professions, that is delegated to: Nearly 500 professional regulatory authorities, five provincial credential assessment agencies and hundreds of educational institutions Employers Responsible for non regulated occupations and determine whether qualifications, training or experience are appropriate 17

The Government of Canada (GoC) plays a facilitative role and provides strategic leadership to P/Ts to foster pan-canadian consistency Three main federal initiatives strengthen FCR processes: CIC Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO) Provides information, path finding and referral services to internationallytrained individuals online, overseas and through Service Canada. Client Focused HRSDC Foreign Credential Recognition Program (FCRP) Supports initiatives that improve assessment and recognition processes for employment in Canada. Systemic Change Health Canada Internationally Educated Health Professionals Initiative (IEHPI) Supports programs that promote a consistent integration of international health professionals into the labour market. Increased supply of health professionals 18

The Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications (FQR Framework) Announced in November 2009, the FQR Framework is a public commitment by federal, provincial and territorial (PTs) governments to take action in addressing FQR barriers and is grounded in the principles of transparency, fairness, timeliness, and consistency. CIC is specifically focused on encouraging and working with regulatory bodies and other key stakeholders to make improvements to pre arrival supports and practices which can expedite the time it takes to meet FQR requirements and integrate into the labour market once in Canada. Occupational Action plans have been prepared for Framework s original 14 target occupations. All 14 occupations are also meeting the Framework s commitment to timely service. The next set of target occupations, to be implemented over 2013 2015, will include 5 additional professions and 5 trades. The Framework s Best Practices and Thematic Task Team (BPTT), co chaired by CIC, is managing a research study on current practices and gaps in supports and processes that assist immigrants navigate alternative careers. Following receipt of the final research report on March 31, 2013, BPTT will provide direction to the Foreign Qualification Working Group (FQRWG) on possible joint Alternative Career projects. 19

Support For Employers 20

Supports for Employers In keeping with the two way street approach, the Settlement Program also prioritizes labour market programming that engages employers, facilitating their access to the immigrant labour pool (at all skill levels) that is already in Canada. Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council (CRIEC) is based on the TRIEC model(toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council), bringing together skilled immigrants and mentors from the Canadian workforce, through partnerships between corporations and service providing organizations. CRIEC also provides orientation and training to both mentors and mentees alike. Hire immigrants Ottawa: A community based initiative that brings together employers, immigrant agencies and stakeholders to enhance employers ability to access the talents of skilled immigrants in the Ottawa area. Foreign credentials: Engaging Employers and the International Qualifications Network (IQN): a collaborative website that provides employers, provincial and territorial governments, regulatory bodies, immigrant serving organizations, sector councils and academic institutions the opportunity to leverage and capitalize on promising foreign credential assessment and recognition practices. 21

Moving Forward: Labour Market & Essential Skills With our aging population, technological changes and increased trade, employers continue to face heightened difficulty in finding the skilled workers they need. A major source of this challenge is a mismatch between the skills of the workforce and the skills required by new and changing jobs. This is compounded by the fact that skills needs are uneven across the country, with high unemployment in some regions, and unfilled jobs in others. As a result, CIC has recently made significant changes to the immigration system, and more changes are expected in order to improve the program s responsiveness to Canada s labour market needs. CIC is also working to improve the consistency of labour market programming for newcomers across the settlement network (including literacy and essential skills development), while recognizing that the complexity of the economic integration of newcomers requires a multi faceted approach that includes roles for employers, regulators, provinces and territories. 22