Mentoring
The IEC-BC Mentoring Program brings together skilled immigrants and established professionals in occupation-specific mentoring relationships. Skilled immigrants entering the program have the education, experience, and language skills to succeed in the Canadian labour market. However, they may not understand the Canadian context of their profession, workplace culture, or know how to translate their skill sets. What they need to succeed are the local insights and access to professional networks that only a one-on-one connection with a local mentor can offer.
The program is delivered in collaboration with employers and local service providers. Building on their commitment, expertise and experience, the Mentoring Program is increasing the number of matches throughout Metro Vancouver.
To participate in The Mentoring Program or for more information, please contact us.
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Mentoring: It’s a win, win, win situation
When you think about it, the notion of bringing together skilled, talented immigrants and experienced professionals works in so many ways. Through the Mentoring Program, mentors enhance their leadership and coaching skills, mentees integrate, network and have an exponentially higher chance of finding a job, while employers gain access to a skilled and affordable talent pool. On a macro scale, more jobs mean reduced unemployment and a bolstered economy.
Benefits for the Labour Market
In British Columbia, as in the rest of Canada, declining population growth coupled with aging and increasing retirement, is resulting in lower labour force participation. For the first time in history, the number of British Columbians leaving the workforce will exceed those entering it. This means employers will increasingly need to use innovative, effective strategies to keep existing staff, as well as attract new talent.
BC is Canada’s second-most popular immigrant destination, yet there is a significantly lower employment rate for recent immigrants, at a time when qualified, skilled individuals are needed as never before. The robustness of BC’s economy, and the well-being of its residents depend upon its ability to utilize human and material resources and its capacity to generate gainful employment for its residents. Mentorship has been recognized as an effective approach to addressing employment barriers faced by immigrants and an effective strategy to assist employers in succession planning, recruitment and retention.
Opportunities for Employers and Mentors
Mentorship offers employers a unique opportunity to demonstrate sector leadership, build a more culturally competent and aware staff, as well as advance staff professional development. It also offers a cost-effective mechanism to assess a diverse and skilled talent pool, and increases local and global connections.
Participating mentors get a unique chance to exchange ideas, career information and resources. By taking part in an innovative program to improve access to employment opportunities for skilled immigrants, they gain recognition as employees willing to make a positive change by sharing their talents and knowledge. Mentors boost their coaching and leadership skills, and develop cross-cultural communication competencies. They garner insight into working with internationally trained colleagues from diverse cultures and gain an understanding of their profession from an international perspective. Last but not least, mentors gain personal satisfaction from helping others through passing on valuable knowledge and experience.