Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce

Employer Engagement Strategy

The “Employer Engagement Strategy” is being delivered by The Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network (WRIEN), a local strategy to help ensure that the skills of immigrants are more optimally used to the benefit of immigrants and their families, the economy and the community as a whole. The project will actively engage Waterloo area employers to change perceptions of the benefits and barriers involved in hiring internationally trained individuals (ITIs). The program will use a marketing campaign, an employer resource guide, immigrant hiring forums and case studies of successful contributions immigrants have made to area employers to demonstrate the value of hiring newcomers. Site visits and focus groups with employers will help identify the specific barriers these employers have faced, and solutions they have adopted, in integrating immigrants into their workplaces. In addition, a Breakfast Series and workshops will allow potential employers to interact directly with ITIs to discuss integration and employment opportunities.

Contact:
Peter McFadden, Program Manager
Phone: Telephone: : 519-749-6033 
Email: pmcfadden@greaterkwchamber.com

Niagara Training and Adjustment Board

Niagara Immigrant Employment Initiative

The “Niagara Immigrant Employment Initiative” will develop a model to attract and integrate internationally trained individuals (ITIs) into Niagara’s community and workforce through the identification and reduction of existing barriers to successful integration. The project will work with area employers both to identify barriers and promote the benefits of employing immigrants, with the goal of increasing employer commitment to hiring ITIs. The result will be a seamless approach to immigrant settlement, employment, health care and social services, with employers actively engaged in every step of the process.

Contact:
Trudy Parsons
Phone: 905-641-0801
Email: tparsons@ntab.org

Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC)

Building Employer Awareness

Building Employer Awareness: This program is designed to change perceptions among Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) about the strong business case for hiring internationally-trained individuals. An intensive twelve-month media campaign will target the business audience and will outline both the benefits that result from hiring immigrants and the resources available to assist in the process. Audience awareness levels will be tracked throughout the campaign to ensure effectiveness. A public relations initiative will use media kits, press releases, interviews and article placements to reinforce the effect of the advertising campaign.

Contact:
Kevin McLellan, Program Manager
Phone: 416-944-1946
Email: kmclellan@triec.ca
Website: www.hireimmigrants.ca

Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC)

Bringing Employers Onboard

Bringing Employers Onboard: is developing and implementing a coordinated outreach and education strategy for employers and human resource professionals to promote the benefits of hiring internationally-trained individuals (ITIs). The project also aims to build options for employers to successfully recruit, retain and promote ITIs in workplaces in the Greater Toronto Area.

Contact:
Kevin McLellan, Program Manager
Phone: 416-944-1946
Email: kmclellan@triec.ca
Website: www.hireimmigrants.ca

Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC)

Employer Toolbox

Employer Toolbox: assists Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) to effectively recruit and hire internationally trained individuals (ITIs) by promoting change in human resource practices. Program components include:

• Training job developers to advise businesses on building awareness and capacity for bringing skilled immigrants into their workforce
• The use of a human resources expert to assess current practices and recommend change
• The improvement of hireimmigrants.ca to position it as the authoritative source for information on hiring ITIs
• Engaging third-party human resource service providers to improve the services they offer to SMEs in hiring immigrants.

Contact:
Kevin McLellan, Program Manager
Phone: 416-944-1946
Email: kmclellan@triec.ca
Website: www.hireimmigrants.ca

Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC)

Workshops for Change

Workshops for Change: This project is developing and delivering workshops designed specifically for Small and Medium sized Employers (SMEs). These employers have traditionally lacked the human resource capacity to effectively assess foreign credentials and work experience, leading them to view hiring immigrants as a risk. Working with Ryerson University, TRIEC will offer workshops designed to meet the particular needs of the finance/accounting, IT/technical and health sciences sectors, along with a more general workshop for other SMEs. Content will be drawn from existing research by hireimmigrants.ca along with other case studies, with emphasis on awareness and leadership, planning and sourcing candidates, developing staff and creating an inclusive work environment.

Contact:
Kevin McLellan, Program Manager
Phone: 416-944-1946
Email: kmclellan@triec.ca
Website: www.hireimmigrants.ca

Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC)

Enabling Employers: Enhancing the Capacity of Employers in York and Peel Regions to Effectively Integrate Skilled Immigrants

This project will improve hiring practices in York and Peel regions and help employers attract more internationally trained individuals.  The project will also provide information about qualified candidates to employers with vacancies.  Once hired, the project will help the new employees successfully integrate into the workforce.

Contact: Kevin McLellan, Program Manager
Phone: (416) 944-2627
E-mail: kmclellan@triec.ca
Website: www.triec.ca

United Way / Centraide Ottawa

Hire Immigrants Ottawa

This project works with employers to improve the employer’s ability to integrate internationally trained into the workplace by identifying barriers and implementing strategies to support the integration of skilled immigrants into skills-appropriate jobs.

Henry Akanko
Director, Hire Immigrants Ottawa
Phone: (613) 683-3881
Fax: (613) 228-6730
E-mail: hakanko@hireimmigrantsottawa.ca

WIL Counselling for Training and Employment

Employer Leadership Strategy: A Project of the London/Middlesex
Immigrant Employment Task Force (LMIETF)

This project works with employers in the London area who have agreed to act as leaders in their industries.  The ‘Employer Leaders’ promote the advantages of hiring internationally trained individuals and work with other London-area employers to help them make permanent improvements to their hiring practices.

Contact: Anne Langille
Phone: (519) 663-0774
E-mail: anne@wil.ca
Website: www.wil.ca