SfCeNews

Volume III.  Issue 05.  May 31, 2002

Skills for Change (SfC) is a non-profit agency based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Our mandate is to provide learning and training opportunities for immigrants and refugees so that they can participate in the workplace and wider community.

In this edition...

SfC partners with Ryerson University

Strengthening Employment Opportunities for Front-line Staff

My Story - Many Choices

SfC partners with Ryerson University

Mentoring programs are gaining increasing importance as an intervention tool in the field of community development as well as in the corporate sector.

As a pioneer in developing a community-based mentoring program and a recognized leader in the mentoring of foreign-trained professionals, Skills for Change has been working closely with Ryerson University to develop the framework and guidelines for its innovative Tri-Mentoring Program, and to share best practices.

The ultimate goal of the Ryerson Tri-Mentoring Program is to enhance academic achievement, personal growth, and career and employment success for all student participants. The program objectives are to assist culturally and linguistically diverse students with their transition into university life and career-related employment upon graduation.

The Tri-Mentoring Program specifically addresses and supports the unique needs of first generation Canadians, new immigrants, and students with English as a Second Language. Additionally, the program encourages community involvement and the development of leadership skills. This is achieved by matching a first-year mentee with a third-year student mentor to assist in the transition into university. In the second year, the students are provided with leadership training to prepare them to become mentors in their third year. In their fourth year, the senior students again take the role of mentees as they are matched with mentors from the alumni and professional community from their field of study who offer assistance with specific career exploration and industry information.

Thus the Ryerson Tri-Mentoring Program provides intensive intervention and relevant support at the two most critical junctures in academic careers: transition into university and transition into the working environment.

For more information on the Ryerson Tri-Mentoring Program, please contact
Liza Arnason, Mentoring Programs Coordinator
Ph: 416-979-5000 ext.7988
larnason@ryerson.ca
www.ryerson.ca/trimentoring

Strengthening Employment Services for Front-line Staff Working with Internationally-trained Professionals
by Jane Cullingworth

Last year Skills for Change conducted focus groups with front-line staff working with internationally-trained professionals in the employment sector. The goal of the project, funded by the Maytree Foundation, was to determine the supports needed by front-line staff in their work with immigrant professionals. A secondary component of the project was to gauge the level of management support for initiatives identified by front-line staff.

Focus groups were held across the GTA (in York region, Durham region, Peel region, Halton region, North York, Etobicoke, Scarborough and downtown Toronto). Sixty participants representing 50 organizations participated in the focus groups. The major themes that emerged were:
 

n  the need to share resources, work-related issues and research
 

n  the need to build relationships so that agencies have a better understanding of resources available to their clients
 

n  the need for professional development on issues related to internationally-trained professionals

Front-line workers suggested that the following initiatives would support them in their work with immigrant professionals:
 

n  a network for front-line workers with satellites in each region of the Greater Toronto Area
 

n  a website that provides information on issues related to internationally-trained professionals including programs and services, licensing information, etc.
 

n  a newsletter that provides information on issues related to immigrant professionals, programs and services, licensing and accreditation, etc.
 

n  a designated resource person(s) that can serve as experts on issues related to the internationally-trained, accessible through an information line or e-mail

The initiative that received the most support was the development of a network focusing on issues related to internationally-trained professionals.

Two focus groups were held with managers in the sector. The managers reviewed the initiatives suggested by front-line workers. Again, there was much support for a network. Managers stated that this support would translate into giving staff time to attend meetings and ensuring that staff had access to the information gained from the network.

A full copy of the final report is available on our website and can be downloaded here in Adobe Reader format.

 

For this initiative to move forward leadership and financial resources are required. If you are interested in playing a part in making this happen, please contact Jane Cullingworth, Manager of Programs and Services at Skills for Change at 416-658-3101 x 224.

My Story
A regular series of stories, written by SfC clients and graduates, that describe the immigrant experience.

Many Choices
by Khalid Baraz

We chose to immigrate due to circumstances in Iraq and a shortage of jobs. I’m trying to get a better future for my family. I have a 23 year old daughter and two sons, 21 and 16. I had many choices when I decided to immigrate – Australia, New Zealand, Canada… I chose Canada. My sons are studying here now. My daughter just finished her degree in dentistry in Iraq and will do her exams for dentistry here.

They told me at Immigration Canada that they were asking for mechanical engineers, that they need them. But unfortunately when I came here I found that many, many mechanical engineers are not working in their field. It seems like a waste of experience and abilities. The newcomers are going to lose and Canada is also going to lose the benefits of their experience.

Cashier in a gas station
When I first arrived I was studying English - TOEFL. But living here costs a lot, so I had to get a job to cover the family’s expenses. I got a temporary job for a few months before Christmas at Zellers, scanning boxes and that kind of thing. Then I did the Sector Terminology, Information and Counselling program at Skills for Change for 5 weeks and then continued my job search.

In March, a friend of mine helped me to get a temporary job as a cashier in a gas station. That’s what I’ve been doing since March. I work days or nights depending on the shifts they need. My wife is teacher. She taught English language at a high school back home, but here she is working at Price Club demonstrating products.

Barriers – my age? my nationality?
I expected to get a job in my field. I have applied to many companies. I’ve had some interviews but…I think maybe my age is a factor. Maybe they prefer younger people. And they ask for Canadian experience. But if I don’t get a job, how can I get experience? That’s the main problem. Also, Iraq is a sensitive country. I think maybe people look at Iraqis from a certain point of view. When I say I’m Iraqi, I always get the "We’ll let you know" response.

I’ve got about 30 years of experience. I spent the last six years before coming to Canada as the Manager of a consulting engineering bureau, and I’ve been a Chief Engineer. I think I have good experience in my field. I just need a chance to get a job. I’ve been applying for jobs at the same level or a lower level. For some jobs you need Auto CAD. Maybe in the future I will try to learn it. If I know there will be some possibilities in the future, I’m willing to invest in my skills.

Investing in licensing?
Some companies ask for a licence, others no. But it’s a long procedure to get the licence here. I’ve had my degree evaluated here in Canada and I was told it is equivalent to a Canadian B.Sc. In the future, if I get a job in my field, maybe I will try to get my licence. A friend of mine got his P. Eng., but he still can't get a job.

My nephew is also a mechanical engineer, with about 5 years experience. He works in air conditioning and refrigeration. He’s been here for more than two years, but he hasn’t been able to get a job. He applied to many places for engineering jobs. He’s just had temporary jobs since he’s been here too, but none in his field. Wherever he goes, they ask for Canadian experience. But you can’t just pick that up at the supermarket.

Facing a different future
If I could get a job in my field, that would be best. If not, I’ll have to change. Many colleagues and friends have opened small convenience stores, dollar stores. That’s not what we’re looking for, but we have to do it because living is very costly here.

Now I’m thinking maybe I’ll try to get a job in management at the gas station. I have stopped looking for jobs in engineering. I'm trying to take some courses or get a co-op placement, but with the job I’m doing now, I don’t have time do get involved in other things. I’m trying to cover the expenses for my family, so I have to work. I didn’t expect…really… I was expecting to get a job in my field. But now I’m facing a different future.

Acronym Soup

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