Notes
Key recommendations
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Disseminate information about various educational, training, and employment opportunities that immigrants can take advantage of. This can be accomplished through an orientation program for newcomers that would be designed by a partner organization.
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The government should provide more support to newcomers in terms of language training, skill development, and job search assistance, as well as financial support, to those facing economic hardship.
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Encourage employerrs to recognize the value of immigrants’ education and work experience from their home countries and to provide opportunities for newcomers to gain Canadian work experience.
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Partner organizations should work to expand newcomers’ social networks within the community to combat social isolation.
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Service providers should work to improve the services provided to newcomers, including by addressing issues related to wait times and access to services.
Location
Edmonton, Alberta
Key populations/Tags
Immigration, Education, Employment, Finances, Financial, Integration, government, Language, Policy, resettlement, social assistance,
Key findings
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Both immigrant and non-immigrant participants faced significant social and economic challenges upon their arrival in Canada
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Immigrant families had access to financial support from the Government of Canada, which helped them manage their economic situation. Non-immigrant families, on the other hand, struggled more severely due to their lack of access to government funding
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Language proficiency, particularly poor knowledge of the English language, was identified as one of the biggest challenges for newcomers, leading to a range of social and economic problems/
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Local employers in Canada often do not consider immigrants’ educational qualifications and work experience from their home country when they apply for jobs
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Many newcomers, both immigrants and non-immigrants, had to start their careers from the beginning in Canada, despite having better social and economic positions in their home countries
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Importance of government financial support, such as tax benefits and childcare benefits, for newcomers, as it allows adult household members to take training courses and work outside the home
Integration timeline
At what point during the integration process the study was conducted?
N/A
Gaps identified/Future research
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Small sample size- A larger-scale study with a more diverse sample of immigrants and non-immigrant families in Edmonton.
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Explore experiences of immigrants and non-immigrant families in other communities or neighborhoods in Edmonton to compare and contrast the findings
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Investigate the effectiveness of orientation programs for newcomers in providing information about educational, training, and employment opportunities
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Examine the impact of recognition of foreign education and qualifications on employment outcomes for immigrants
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Assess the effectiveness of integration support programs provided by partner agencies of the Canadian Immigrant and Integration Program (CIIP) in terms of skill training and job market integration
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Explore the availability and accessibility of micro loans or funding options for skill development programs or training courses for temporary residents 5.
Community organizations
Edmonton Social Planning Council
Publisher: desLibris