Using CCLB tools to facilitate employment

1. Using CCLB tools to facilitate employment Anne Senior, Specialist Consultant

2. What is the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks? • The CCLB/CNCLC is the centre of expertise in support of national language standards in English and French • National, not-for-profit

3. Recent Canadian Immigration Statistics • 1990’s • The population grew by 1.4 million people with 70% made up of immigrants1. • 2001 – 2006 • The population grew more rapidly by 5.4% due to increased international migration2. • 2008 (second quarter) • The population posted its highest quarterly growth since 1991 due mainly to a rise in net international migration which reached its highest level since the end of the 1980s. • Towards Understanding Business, Labour, and Sector Council Needs and Challenges Related to Enhanced Language Training (June 2004), The Canadian Labour & Business Centre. • Statistics Canada, March 13, 2007 • Statistics Canada, March 12, 2009

4. The Flip Side “Recent immigrants to Canada have higher average levels of education than Canadian-born population [however] the labour market outcomes of immigrants are poor and worsening.” “Even with higher levels of education and better skills, immigrants are now less successful than Canadian-born workers with an equivalent education … and it can “take up to 10 years for the earnings of university-education immigrants to catch up to those of their Canadian counterparts.” SOURCE: HRSDC Report, Knowledge Matters: Skills and Learning for Canadians (pages 51) available at http://www.innovationstrategy.gc.ca

5. Underemployed? • Only 44% of immigrants had found jobs within 6 months of arriving here. • 60% worked in occupational areas different from what they did prior to immigrating. • 52% of these were looking for jobs in areas different from what they did in their home country. Statistics Canada: Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada: Process, Progress, and Prospects.89-611-XIE

6. Immigrants that affect their employability: Work experience Transferability of foreign credentials Lack of official language skills 1 Employers that affected their hiring decisions of immigrants: Language difficulties (66%) Difficulties assessing foreign credentials.(52%) Lack of Canadian experience (46%)2 Two Sides of the Coin Top 3 factors cited by: 1Stats Canada Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants 2 Canadian Labour and Business Centre’s Viewpoints 2002 Survey.

7. Challenges - Language • In September 2006, we asked 79 HR professionals, trainers, and counsellors: • To what extent do you think language is a challenge for immigrants seeking employment? • A serious problem? • A minor problem? • Not a problem?

8. Gaps Identified with Language

9. Other Language Gaps • Asking for clarification • Expressing oneself • Understanding vocabulary, slang and heavy accents

10. We also know… • Job hunting and networking differ from culture to culture • Communication at work is different in other cultures

11. Work Ready • A resource kit for HR Professionals and others making hiring decisions or counselling immigrants • Focuses on improving communication with newcomers • Free online format or hard copy http://elearning.language.ca

12. Why Hire Immigrants? • Some Challenges and Solutions • Sample Assessment Report • Newcomer comments on preparing to work in Canada • Challenges & Solutions forum • A World of Experience (article)

13. Communication = 2 Way Street • Jargon, idioms, buzz words • Examples of workplace communication tasks and levels • CanDo checklists • Best Practices for various tasks • Communication Code of Practice

14. Hiring, Training, Retaining • Coaching and rephrasing questions • HR Tips • Cross-cultural interviews • Determining language levels • Language Training at Work • Intercultural Management • 10 ways checklist.

15. CLBs & Essential Skills • Introduction to CLB and Essential Skills • OLAs & sample orientation clip • Correlation chart • Fast Facts

16. PLAR Profile

17. WLA Pre-Screening Tool • It is a resource for referring Internationally Trained Individuals (ITIs) to next steps or pathways*. * Pathways may include: • Full language assessment • Bridge-to-Work programs • Post-secondary education • Support to pass accreditation tests • Employment

18. Key features • It is not a test – it is to help with decisions on whether or not a learner is ready for pathways requiring a higher level of language – benchmark 6 and higher • It allows ITIs to demonstrate writing, reading, speaking and listening skills • It takes 30 minutes to administer • It provides a general language range based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks. • It is administered by trained counsellors

19. Description of the Tool • Screening Form for reading and writing • Screening Interview for listening and speaking • Two checklists • Report Form • Gives feedback on the approximate level of a learner

20. Why CLB 6 • Why does the WLA Pre-Screening Tool refer to Benchmark 6? • Benchmark +/- 6 is the generally accepted entry level into bridge-to-work programs or professional employment

21. Using the Checklist • Clients generally should meet at least three of the criteria in each of the speaking and listening checklists to be considered ready for next steps that require higher levels of English. • Use the information gathered from the checklists to inform decisions on training, employment or further language assessment.

22. WLA Pre-Screening Form • First part looks like an application form. • Second part requires the ITI to provide an introduction to his/her work experience.

23. Pre-Screening Interview Interviewer follows a script. Reviews the ITI’s performance based on the following questions: • Are the answers relevant? • Does the ITI have the words to say what he/she means? • Is the conversation easy to follow • Are the responses structured and are the arguments developed?

25. Language for Work

26. Language for Work contains… Best Practices • Program design • Assessment and intake • Classroom methodology • Integrating Best Practices into the workplace

27. Language for Work contains… Three-Step Diagnostic

28. Learner Profile: Example • In Canada for over 20 years • Has developed good listening skills and the ability to speak confidently, although with grammatical errors • Completed only grade eight in her native country of Poland • Struggles with printed material Eva

29. Language for Work contains… Resources for ESL Literacy Learners • Who are ESL Literacy Learners? They: • Are speakers of a language with no writing system • May have had little or no education in their country • Have some sporadic education and understand written words have meanings but cannot read or write in their native language • Have come from a country with a non-Roman alphabet, but have reading and writing skills which can be transferred into English

30. Resources for ESL Literacy Learners • Diagnostic Literacy Checklist • Used during an interview • Checklist/questionnaire completed by the practitioner • Helps recognize literacy needs • Reflective Practitioner Checklist • Mental checklist • Used on an ongoing basis to self-check planning and teaching

31. Contact us: • Anne Senior, asenior@language.ca