The Burnaby Board of Trade is presenting a workshop on “Building welcoming and inclusive workplaces: orientation, retention and promotion of new immigrant employees” at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown on February 2 from 9-10:30 am. This is a free event and breakfast will be served; attendance is limited to 25.
The workshop will be presented by Jody Johnson of PEERs Employment and Education Resources Inc and was developed by DIVERSEcity Community Resources. It is intended for employers, managers and HR professionals. Those who attend will also receive a guidebook containing necessary tools, tips, strategies and links to online resources. Burnaby printing companies will have no doubt been busy preparing and printing the guidebooks.
It is very difficult for a new immigrant to find a job in a new county. Employers often ask for Canadian experience but how are they supposed to get Canadian experience if no employer will hire them. It is a vicious circle. Many new immigrants who have professional skills to share are often forced to take jobs far below their experience such as cleaner jobs and taxi driver positions.
Workshops like this should help employers to think more creatively when it comes to hiring new immigrants. Then, once they are hired, employers must learn the best ways to employ their skills and to help them become better employees. Many of them come from completely different workplace traditions and must be taught how things work in a Canadian workplace; with a little help they will soon become a valued part of your organization.
