A partnership between the and is bridging the gap between internationally trained professionals and local professionals, helping foreigners integrate into the local workforce while helping local businesses benefit from a diverse talent pool.
They鈥檝e been arranging regular meetings to get people from both groups in one room and talking, explained Ana Marie Panczel, 91原创 Local Immigration Partnership鈥檚 coordinator, 91原创 Community Services Society.
鈥淭his opportunity with the chamber really is a chance for these [international] professionals to showcase what they can do, what they鈥檝e done, what they鈥檙e skilled in, and bring an international perspective, that鈥檚 not what we鈥檙e typically used to,鈥� she enthused.
In a current series of six get-togethers, entitled 鈥�91原创鈥檚 Workforce Future,鈥� a combination of presentations, speakers, and round-table engagements has been focusing on the obstacles internationally trained professionals face as they attempt to rebuild their professional networks, establish contacts, and re-enter the workforce.
It aims to help newcomers build new professional ties into the 91原创 business community, explained chamber director Dan Collins, who believes internationally trained professionals are underused.
鈥淣o question that it鈥檚 an untapped labour force, and it鈥檚 skilled labour, as well,鈥� said Collins.
There is, he feels, a misconception at times that newcomers to Canada are just seeking entry level work or are coming in on temporary work arrangements.
鈥淏ut in fact, there鈥檚 lots of newcomers with credentials and talents and skills that may or may not be recognized,鈥� he explained.
鈥淲e know that most of us excel when we have an opportunity to connect with colleagues and professional bodies and organizations,鈥� Collins said. 鈥淭his exercise wasn鈥檛 necessarily an effort to help people to secure employment, but to just connect with networks of allied professionals.鈥�
Panczel said the goal is two-fold: One, to educate the local community as to what the capabilities of internationally trained professionals are; and secondly, to also connect the internationally trained professionals with local professionals.
鈥淎s you know, here in Canada, it鈥檚 not that easy for immigrants to find their career path once again,鈥� Collins noted.
Two more sessions in the series are currently planned.
Thursday, Feb. 6, will focus on women newcomers and women in business.
Then on March 6, the final session in the series will focus on IT, engineering, and logistics.
Attendance is limited.
鈥淲e aim for 20 internationally trained professionals and 20 local professionals, just to give them that opportunity to interact more and learn more from each other, because more than anything, it鈥檚 an educational process for both parties,鈥� said Panczel, who is grateful for the partnership evolving with the chamber.
Likewise, Collins said the chamber is 鈥渜uite pleased to be part of the initiative.鈥�
鈥淚t just shows the the power when we collaborate as a community, to try and create the kind of change we want to see.鈥�
A recent study found 23 per cent, about one in four, of 91原创鈥檚 residents are immigrants and newcomers, but just 19 per cent were working in their respective fields.
To find out more about the series, or the new partnership, people can email info@langleychamber.com.
