Immigration and Talent in 2022: Just Do It

Canada has been on a clear path to increase immigration to support population and labour force growth for the last 10 years. We are benefiting from that in Waterloo Region. Immigration has grown nationally by 90%; here in the Region immigration has grown by 250% since 2015 levels. In 2021 we experienced record immigration levels, with 8,800 new permanent residents (up from a previous high of around 4,500) and tens of thousands of temporary residents on work and study visas. Based on federal immigration levels forecasts, and significant humanitarian commitments to welcome Afghan refugees and Ukrainians fleeing war, higher levels of immigration will continue. Most immigrants are of working age and come to Canada to pursue employment and educational opportunities that offer a good life for themselves and their families. At the Immigration Partnership, we bring business representatives together with community service, municipal, post-secondary, ethnocultural and other stakeholders to make Waterloo Region a community where immigrants reach their full potential and contribute to creating and sustaining a thriving, prosperous community for everyone. When we ask immigrants in the region about their greatest challenges and successes, employment is resoundingly the number one response to both. For many, it is very difficult to land meaningful jobs where they can contribute their full skills and experience. But once they do, it is great source of pride, accomplishment and wellbeing. We have been working for over 10 years to equip employers with resources to hire and retain immigrant talent. Over the years, we’ve heard many challenges from employers across sectors and immigrants trying to get established in their careers across the talent spectrum. We have also heard of so many proactive and exciting ways in which workplaces across Waterloo Region and beyond are overcoming those very challenges. Here are a few truths and ideas to start you off if you are worried or do not know where to begin. Language is not a barrier to employment. Speaks no English, speaks little English, speaks great English but with a strong non-local accent, does not have the specialized vocabulary needed for this role. These are some of the many perceived challenges we hear from employers when it comes to hiring immigrants. There are solutions to each of them, much available right here in Waterloo Region. First language health, safety and other training options. Cluster hiring of same language candidates where one speaks English and holds added responsibility for communicating. Interpretation and translation services for critical information and conversations. Workplace English language training as professional development. Existing staff learn the language of candidates. Just embrace accents in a global world! International education and experience is an asset. So is volunteer experience. Most immigrants have incredible work experience outside of Canada. Once here, many gain their first local experiences as volunteers where they do valuable and meaningful work. Put together, this provides a package of rich, multifaceted experience and education that is so good for your business. Start hiring beyond the schools and other places from which you typically draw candidates. Company culture can and should change. Many employers consider how a particular candidate will fit within the company culture. Other employers are flipping that around and start considering how the company will fit its changing talent pool. It is time for all businesses to do the same. There is no doubt that as people with different skills, experiences and attributes take on roles in new companies, change, empathy and kindness is needed – on all sides. Leaders at all levels can and should be supported and equipped to build out, support and engage a more diverse workforce.

Racism is present and it is negatively impacting racialized

employees. Don’t wonder if it’s happening – it is. Many experiences of racism are the result of policies, practices and actions that are not intentionally racist. Acknowledge this. Look for it. Talk to racialized employees about it. Do something about it, together, even if you don’t feel sure about what you are doing. It is important to just get started and there are many others on this journey with you. Ask for help.

Intentional actions are needed to provide professional, skills development and leadership opportunity for

immigrant and racialized employees. Without this, the truth is that many immigrants and racialized employees start and get stuck in jobs where they can’t fully contribute their skills and experiences. Hire specifically from diverse communities. Plan from the beginning for their career development. Provide training and development opportunities. Create sponsorship or other opportunities for exposure to executive leadership, and more. Just do it! Nike was right…even without a full and tested plan, sometimes the best course of action is to just get started and deal with issues as they arise. Remember how much we were able to do this these last two years during Covid? That adaptability and resiliency is applicable here too. And there are many people who can help you…we are still all in this together. There are many amazing programs (often free) in the region that can help with these recruitment, hiring, onboarding, some training, language issues and more. Other programs help foster employee retention and community belonging by assisting immigrant employees and their families get connected in the community and navigate services or increase English language knowledge. Immigrants in Waterloo Region are hard-working, innovative, qualified. They are eager to contribute their skills to your business and make this community a better place for everyone. They have a wide range of educational backgrounds, work experience and skills. They have international connections, language skills and other talents. In short, immigrants – Canada’s future citizens – have many gifts to contribute to your business, if you create the opportunity and conditions for them to do so. Connect with the Immigration Partnership to get support and start hiring now. Share your hiring needs via the #HireImmigrantsWR Portal or get in touch with Nora Whittington at: nwhittington@ regionofwaterloo.ca or 519.575.4757 x 3173.