Employability Dimensions with Newcomer Clients

1. Employability Dimensions with Newcomer Clients An Opening Doors Workshop March 11, 2010 Aurora Public Library Presented by: Chris Buffett Buffett & Associates

2. Agenda • Learning Outcomes • Newcomers in York Region • The 4 Employability Dimensions • Newcomer Challenges in the 4 Dimensions • Solutions/Resources • Case Studies • Questions and Answers • Evaluation

3. Learning Outcomes • Learn more about using employability dimensions in the client counselling and job development process • Learn more about solutions and resources available for helping newcomers with their employability challenges

4. Why Important? • Between 2001 – 2006, nearly 100,000 immigrants settled in York Region. • Most of the immigrants who settle in York Region are well educated and have backgrounds in professional occupations. • 72% of prime working-age immigrants in Ontario have a degree from an international university. • The unemployment rate for university-educated recent immigrants was four times greater than that of similar non-immigrants.

5. What are the Employability Dimensions?

6. The Employability Dimensions

7. Career Decision Making • Is there a demand in Canada for their former occupation? • May be trained in an occupation that doesn’t match interests/values/natural talents. • Not aware of where promising employment opportunities lie. • Unsure of what careers will meet their circumstantial realities. • Unsure of how to acquire Labour Market Information. • Career choice may be unrealistic.

8. Skills/Qualifications/Experience • Weak English language skills • Credentials not recognized in Canada • Education/Credentials not assessed in Canada • License/Certification required for regulated professions • Not eligible for government funding for skills development or Self-Employment Benefit program • Lack of Canadian work experience

9. Job Search • Networking and hidden job market new to them • Believe they have no network/contacts • Marketing themselves to employer may be a new concept to them. Underselling themselves to employers • Unaware of how to research the industry and employer • Ineffective job search tools—expectations for resume, cover letter, interview skills different in their home country

10. Job Maintenance • Lack of understanding of Canadian workplace culture • Dress code, eye contact, hand shake, values, rules/ procedures, punctuality • Lack of “soft skills” or life skills considered necessary in the Canadian workplace • Team work, problem solving, leadership/ management style

11. Solutions/Resources

12. Career Decision Making • Various online assessments: www.careercruising.com , www.monster.ca, www.keirsey.com • Career Paths, TDSB • Personality Dimensions • CAPS/COPS asessments • Labour Market Information

13. Skills/Qualifications/Experience • English Language Instruction (LINC/ESL) • Credential Assessment • Enhanced Language Training (ELT) Programs • Occupation-Specific Language Training (OSLT) • Skills Development training through MTCU • SEB training • Practice Firms • Volunteering • Bridging programs

14. Job Search • Centre for Foreign-Trained Professionals and Trades People • Re-Employment Centre for International Professionals • Job Finding Clubs • Job Search Workshops • Employment Resource Centres • Mentoring • Agencies

15. Job Maintenance • Bridging programs • OSLT programs • Essential Skills/21st Century Skills • Language Skills • Life Skills Training • Employment Articles on Internet

16. Questions and Answers ???