Finding a job in a chosen career is difficult for many people and maybe more so for those new to Canada.
The North Shore Multicultural Society is used to providing a variety of services for immigrants, and the newest one is somewhat unique. Jointly funded by the province of B.C. and the government of Canada, the Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants program is designed specifically for professionals who are highly educated and trained in their fields.
“This program gives them the opportunity to leverage their pre-arrival qualifications and experience,” explains program co-ordinator Lori Akiyama.
The multi-faceted approach offers a series of workshops geared towards professionals with topics such as how to get foreign credentials assessed, how to conduct informational interviews and how to establish a professional network, all important skills to finding a job in B.C., notes Akiyama. There will also be opportunities for mentorship. Career Paths hosts two streams of clients: those from regulated professions, which are professions that require a licence to practice (such as doctors and lawyers), and those from unregulated professions, which are professions that don’t need a licence to practice (such as a lab technician).
Most employment programs for immigrants may not be geared toward highly educated immigrants, which is another reason this one is somewhat unique, says Akiyama.
Intake for the program is ongoing, and participants may be involved for up to a year depending on their situation. Akiyama explains that finding a career can be a long process for newcomers, many of whom have to have their credentials assessed and recognized by their career associations. There are many stepping stones along the way to their final career destination.
“The ultimate goal of the program is to help newcomers apply their expertise to positions aligned with their profession so that takes time,” says Akiyama. For example, someone who was a professor in another country is likely not going to be able to find a position teaching in a post-secondary institution in Canada, so will work towards a career that may not be exactly the same but is in line with their experience and expertise.
Career Paths is free, and is open to permanent residents and refugees ages 19 and older, who have intermediate-level English speaking skills. The program started this month and so far all the participants have master’s degrees or higher from their home countries. Clients already involved represent a wide range of professional backgrounds including civil and mechanical engineers, an architect, a fisheries research professional, and a lab technician with an agricultural science background.
Akiyama says they are also looking for North Shore employers who can host a participant for a work place practicum. Those interested can contact her at the North Shore Multicultural Society.
