C.A.I.P.S. Canadian Access for International Professions and Skilled Trades

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C.A.I.P.S.Canadian Access for International
Professions and Skilled Trades
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Evolving Responses to the Rapidly Changing Labour
Market
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Agenda

• Introduction to the Welland Heritage Council and
  Multicultural Centre
• Overview of the demographics of the Niagara
  Region
• Identify labour market changes within the past
  15-20 years
• Strategies that effectively address the changing
  labour market

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• Emergency shelter for refugees and immigrants
• ESL English as a Second Language classes
• ALT Advanced Language Training
• Child care facilities on site
• Legal assistance for all immigration papers
• Translation services

• Assistance with housing, immigration medicals,
  school registration and enrollment in community
  programs
• Full employment Assistance Program CAIPS
• Mentorship Program
• Support and sponsorship of Women, Youth and
  Cultural Groups
• International Physicians and Surgeons and
• Internationally Trained Engineers Programs

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• Lead agency in Niagara to promote culture and
  diversity
• Founder and host of the 30th Annual Folklore
  Festivals and World Ball (22 cultural group
  membership)
• Organizers of the Annual International Luncheons
• Host agency for the Canada Day Celebration in the
  park
• Member of the board for OCASI
• Members of the Master Planning Committee for the
  City of Welland
• Founding chair of the Niagara Newcomers Service
  Alliance
• Founder of the IMG Niagara Chapter (which lead
  to the development of AIPSO in Ontario

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Niagara Region
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Niagara Region - Challenges

• The following have been identified as the three
  major challenges within our Regional Labour
  Market
• Industry shifts
• Aging population
• Employers and local government not ready for
  change

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Niagara Region LMIShift in Industry

• Manufacturing

• Gaming
• Tourism
• Hospitality
• Service
• Telecommunications

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Niagara Region - LMIAging Population

• Niagaras population is slightly further aged
  than the Ontario provincial average
• The Ontario provincial population will look more
  like the Niagara Region in five years time
• The share of Niagaras population under the age
  of 50 is less than the provincial average and
  subsequently a greater share than the provincial
  average is over 50
• Source ntab Workforce Focus October 2005

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Niagara Region LMILack of Planning

• National and Provincial governments have not
  coordinated their efforts to resolve the issues
  surrounding regulatory bodies and licensing

• Employers and local governments are not ready for
  change and have not embraced immigration as the
  solution towards growth. This includes
  economically and socially

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Rapid Response

• Our goal was simple!
• Reach out to the community and raise awareness
  of
• Diversity
• Inclusiveness
• The importance of immigration and the role it
  will play in our future prosperity

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How Do We Do That?
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Rapid Response

• Quarterly Employer Newsletters (mail-out)
• Annual employer forums
• Membership with the Chamber of Commerce
• Breakfast Seminars for the employer community
• Guest speaking engagements

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Rapid Response

• Cultural sensitivity and diversity training
• Recruitment services for the employer community
• Partnerships
• Sponsor and/or host cultural events
• Facilitate multimedia presentation at conferences
  Locally, Provincially and Nationally

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Rapid Response

• Promote our clients through direct job
  development
• Mentorship, Networking events
• Media coverage
• Welland Heritage Council Award of Excellence
  for Outstanding Contributions Towards Diversity

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Thank You