Project Background:
Over 220,000 new immigrants are accepted in Canada every year, and at least 30% of them have some vocational training or post-secondary education. Most bring invaluable skills and work experience in an occupation that has been identified as having the capacity to accept new entrants in Canada, due to current or forecasted skill shortage.
One recent study which examined the inequalities between immigrants and non-immigrants on measures such as average earnings, occupation and hours of work, projects that if these inequalities were completely eliminated, an additional $64.5 billion could be expected to be added to Canada's GDP by 2036. (Harvey: 2001).
In October 2005, SISO has submitted a proposal to the Workplace Skills Initiatives (WSI) related to the development, pilot and evaluation of a Workplace Development Toolkit. The proposal has been positively received and it is currently under a second review. SISO will retain the lead role in this project; however, it extends an invitation to all interested parties to formally indicate interest, support and level of participation.
The Workplace Development Toolkit will provide managers and HR practitioners with tools, resources and information to assist them efficiently and effectively address current and future skill shortage in their companies, through the recruitment and hiring of internationally-trained professionals and tradespeople. The resources and tools will assist in assessing skills, experience, abilities and education of a diverse workforce, create alternative entry-level opportunities and develop training plans to address skill gaps and diversity-related issues.
The Workplace Development Toolkit is funded by: Human Resources and Social Development Canada.