www.diversityintheworkplace.ca/newsletters/feb_08/diver -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 10/12/2008
Last Visited: 2/12/2008
WHY: According to CPAC President Howard Shen there was a demand from the Chinese community to "help make them successful in Canada." So great was the demand, in fact, that in the last 15 years, the association has grown from 100 to 23,000.And it's easy to see why."In the past 10 years, from what we know, every year roughly 30,000 new immigrants are from China," Shen says."This is the single source of professional university-trained immigrants."
IPSO FACTO: These professionals, Shen explains, are looking for more than traditional immigration settlement services.They want business language skills, job-readiness training, and the inside track on the job market."They need to know where to apply for OHIP.They need to know where to apply for a driver's license," Shen says."They need to know,how to go up the corporate ladder."
HOW: Through its Career Service Centre, CPAC delivers 2 key programs: the Licensure Assistance Program for professionals in the fields of engineering and healthcare who are looking to obtain their licenses to practice, and the Mentoring Program that matches established professionals with prospective employees.
REALITY CHECK: The fact remains, Shen explains, that many immigrants who come to Canada ultimately have to switch career gears."Yeah, they are doctors but it looks like it'll be taking 5 or 6 years for them to become a doctor," he says.
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BOTTOM LINE:Shen has a very clear idea of how things need to change."If we can make everything better, if we can make use of (foreign professional) skills here in Canada, whatever way we can, then this is something we should do," he says.