Professional Development

2005 National Host Conference

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[ Section 3 ] Conference Workshops
Session 2

Workshop 2B - Helping Immigrant Professionals

Presenters:

Ansar Cheung, S.U.C.C.E.S.S., British Columbia
Shirley Tsang, S.U.C.C.E.S.S., British Columbia

Workshop Summary:

The workshop demonstrated to participants how the Host Program can help immigrant professionals obtain more information and contacts in their field of work. The outcome of the program is not to provide employment to the Immigrant Participants but to help familiarize them with the local work cultures, employment trends and the routes to go back to their profession.

1. Backgrounds of Immigrant Professionals
• Statistical figures of immigrant professional to BC
• Professional classifications and distribution
2. Difficulties encountered by Immigrant Professionals to settle down in a new working environment
3. Job mentorship Model vs. Host Program Model
• Roles of Host Program in addressing the barriers faced by Immigrant Professionals
• Differences and similarities between two Models
• Integrated Model
• Challenges
4. Collaboration with employment services, public and private sectors and professional associations
   • Factors lead to the success of the program

Background:

S.U.C.C.E.S.S was established in 1973, has 12 offices, 350 employees, 9000 volunteers, and an annual budget of $17 million.

Discussion:

• Difficulties Encountered by Immigrant Professionals:
  • Non-recognition of international credentials and working experience.
  • Lack of Canadian work experience.
  • Inability to communicate in an official language.
  • Insufficient Labor Market information prior to immigrating to Canada.
  • Lack of job search skills.
  • Lack of knowledge of Canadian Culture and customs
  • Lack of knowledge of community resources and access to services
  • Culture Shock
• How the Host Program can address these Issues:
  • Needs assessment done at the first interview
  • Necessary referrals made
  • Match with volunteers with similar profession and educational background
  • Organize training and workshops to fulfill immigrant’s needs
  • Links to community resources and employment services
  • Liaise with professional associations and business companies to recruit potential volunteers
  • Modify the job mentoring program to fit the Host Program
• Panellists discussed the similarities and differences between the HRSDC (Human Resources and Skills Development Canada) job mentorship program and CIC’s Host Program
• Panellists discussed the importance of drawing ideas from HRSDC’s model
  • Collaboration of Host Program and Job Mentoring Program
  • Recruiting volunteers from the job mentorship program to be volunteer Host
  • Host Program with emphasis on professional matching
• Challenges to the Host Program
  • Recruitment of Volunteers
  • Commitment of the volunteers
  • Different expectations and preferences of the clients
  • Number of new immigrants
  • Changes in the labour market
  • Changes in Immigration Policy
• Best Practices identified by S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
  • Collaboration with Employment Services, Public and Private Sectors and Professional Associations.
  • Recruit potential volunteer Hosts for immigrants
  • Locate speakers to provide trade talks to immigrants
  • Develop supporters or donors to Host Program Volunteer Recognition
  • Promote the Host Program

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