Notes
Community organizations: n/a
Integration timeline: not defined
Future research / gaps identified:
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Include a more diverse sample of participants (e.g. only 2/14 participants were female).
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Expand research so it can be applied to policy and procedural changes.
Key findings:
Barriers to re-credentialing and entering the Canadian labour market included:
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Foreign credentials weren’t recognized.
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Many were forced to change careers due to lack of credential recognition and Canadian work experience.
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Career choice post-immigration was based on access, time pressure, and financial requirements/restraints.
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Social isolation post-immigration created barriers to finding work, receiving references, and being hired.
Key populations: new immigrants enrolled in the power engineering program at Keyano College in Fort McMurray, AB
Key recommendations:
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Prioritize skill recognition over language proficiency when integrating new immigrants into the Canadian labour market.
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Create language accommodations to mitigate language barriers that reduce/eliminate employment opportunities.
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Share more information about rural employment opportunities in the trades with new immigrants.
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Restructure post-secondary programs to have additional supports that will reduce employment barriers for newly immigrated students post-graduation.
Location: Fort McMurray, AB
