Transcript Employability Dimensions with Newcomer Clients

An Opening Doors Workshop
March 11, 2010
Aurora Public Library
Presented by:
Chris Buffett
Buffett & Associates
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
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
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.
What are the
Employability
Dimensions?
The Employability Dimensions
Job
Maintenance
Job Search
Skills/Qualifications
Career Decision Making
Career Decision Making
 Is there a demand in Canada for their former
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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.
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
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
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
Solutions/Resources
Career Decision Making
 Various online assessments: www.careercruising.com ,
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www.monster.ca, www.keirsey.com
Career Paths, TDSB
Personality Dimensions
CAPS/COPS asessments
Labour Market Information
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
Job Search
 Centre for Foreign-Trained Professionals and Trades
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People
Re-Employment Centre for International Professionals
Job Finding Clubs
Job Search Workshops
Employment Resource Centres
Mentoring
Agencies
Job Maintenance
 Bridging programs
 OSLT programs
 Essential Skills/21st Century Skills
 Language Skills
 Life Skills Training
 Employment Articles on Internet
Questions and Answers
???