How do I access the talent pool of internationally trained professionals?

Many employers with specific hiring requirements are finding it increasingly difficult to attract the skilled workers they need. Outside of major metropolitan areas, the pool of skilled workers can be insufficient to meet hiring needs. However, there are often people available who are able to meet or exceed the needs of an employer, even outside urban areas. Finding them, however, can be a challenge.

Issues facing employers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

In the GTA, the number of potential applicants is high, but so are the number of opportunities for employment. However, employers can benefit from programs which match qualified internationally trained individuals with employers who have specific hiring needs.

One such program, Career Bridge, is developed by employers and funded, in part, by the Ontario Government. Career Bridge is an internship program that can help employers tap into Canada's pool of highly qualified immigrant professionals.

Job Connect is a program sponsored by the government of Ontario that may be useful to employers. Employers that operate a business in Ontario and are ready to provide on-the-job training and/or are seeking workers may benefit from Job Connect. Please call Employment Ontario at 1-888-JOB-GROW or (416) 326-5656 to discuss your hiring needs and get more information on training and employment services in your area, or read more at http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/training/cepp/aboutjc.html

Benefits of this program include candidate pre-screening to ensure applicants are eligible in Canada and have relevant experience and high calibre skills, opportunities for organizations to 'test the waters' before making hiring commitments and a cost-effective way for employers to access a pool of experienced talent that can address current skills shortages and diversify an organization's labour force and expand its expertise.

While Career Bridge is located in Toronto, the program is accessible to employer partners from across Ontario, and representatives are available to answer your questions. You may visit them online at www.careerbridge.ca, email them at info@careerbridge.ca or call (416) 363-0003 for further information.

Issues facing employers outside the GTA

Smaller cities and towns in Ontario often don't have as many potential applicants as large urban centres. However, the search for qualified individuals should not overlook the potential for partnerships or programs that may be located in larger urban centres.

Job Connect is a program sponsored by the government of Ontario that may be useful to employers. Employers that operate a business in Ontario and are ready to provide on-the-job training and/or are seeking workers may benefit from Job Connect. Please call the JobGrow Hotline at 1-888-JOB-GROW or (416) 326-5656 to discuss your hiring needs and get more information on training and employment services in your area, or read more at http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/training/cepp/aboutjc.html

The New Canadians Project is a settlement agency program run in the Kitchener-Waterloo area that has been very successful in making suitable matches between employers and internationally trained individuals. The New Canadians Project may also be expanding to other areas of Ontario in the future.

211ontario.ca – This web site can locate settlement agencies in your area, many of which will have information or programs for internationally trained professionals and tradespeople.

Many local settlement agencies have access to internationally trained professionals in your area. These settlement agencies can offer a variety of programs to assist newly arrived immigrants to integrate into the labour market. These agencies may be a source of highly trained professionals.