NEWCOMERS: Diversity of Skills & Experience to Address the Labour Shortage

As Chair of the 2022-23 Business Development Committee, I have been privileged to lead a group of business leaders who have been working to learn about and promote Brandon’s existing businesses, foster a positive environment for new business development, host information sessions and pursue partnerships that address specific business concerns within the community.

The Business Development Committee of the Chamber of Commerce enjoyed a busy season, with members participating in tours of Koch Industries and Greenstone Building Products to experience a behind-the-scenes glance at their business operations, while learning about their challenges and successes. We were also pleased to host a roundtable discussion focused on the minimum wage increases with MLA Reg Helwer, bringing him together with several member businesses to discuss significant impacts that their operations have experienced because of the ongoing increases to Manitoba’s minimum wage One topic that was discussed regularly, and we feel is of enough importance to request space in this monthly newsletter, is the issue of overqualified and underemployed newcomers in our community

Our membership continues to struggle with labour shortages in every area forcing businesses to get more and more creative in addressing the dwindling pile of resumes that hit their desk, our committee regularly discussed the issue of highly skilled, underemployed newcomers in our community as an untapped labour solution. A November 2022 Statistics Canada report cited that Canada ranks first among G7 countries in its share of working age people (57.5%) who have a college or university credential. This number continues to climb (even more so since the arrival of the pandemic) and recent immigrants represent nearly half of the growth in the share of Canadians with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Unfortunately, newcomer post-secondary credentials are often not netting employment in their chosen field A staggering more than 25% of those with foreign degrees are working in jobs that require, at most, a high-school diploma Even in high demand sectors such as health care, just over one-third of newcomers with a foreign degree were working in nursing (and closely related positions) while over 90% of Canadians with a domestic degree were working in their chosen nursing profession To put that in perspective, in 2022, Statistics Canada reported that we had 25,450 vacant nursing positions in Canada, and two-thirds of the newcomers with foreign nursing degrees were not working in their chosen profession

There are many reasons why newcomers ’ employment is not in keeping with their education, including language limitations and credentialing issues within national licensing bodies However, many new immigrants bring vast knowledge and experience in international business, a broad perspective in their field, and a gritty determination to build a life for themselves and their families in their new home. Members of the Business Development Committee have had the good fortune of employing newcomers, and wanted to share with Chamber members some tips, benefits and lived experience of themselves and their teams in bringing newcomers into their workforce:

Try not to dismiss an application because the individual is “over-qualified” for the position. If they have a foreign Engineering degree, and are applying for a Project Manager position, consider the experience that they have, their knowledge of construction and the ways that you could support them in a Project Manager position Take the time to invite them for an interview and consider a more casual conversation about their education and previous work experience Ask for project references and research companies that they have worked for, and/or projects that they have been part of They might surprise you in the size and scope of their experience! Obtaining Engineering certification in Canada is a lengthy and costly process, something that many newcomers are unable to pursue for quite some time and in some cases at all However, a career progression through construction administration and engineering technical work could be a great start to acquiring Canadian Engineering credentials.

Look for the foundational skills that can be built upon by gaining experience from other roles within your organization, helping newcomers grow into a position that fits with their international experience. One of our committee members shared the story of a newcomer that she interviewed for an administration position last Fall While the candidate had excellent experience and a hardworking attitude, her English wasn’t at the level required for the position A service position became available in the retail side of the business, and the individual was able to work part-time through the winter, while taking English classes While still working in the service position, she was hired into a part-time administration position, and her English continued to improve She recently was offered a full-time administration position and has been an excellent addition to the team!

Breakdown an individual’s international work experience and look for transferable skills – a teacher from another country may slowly be working towards acquiring their teaching credentials in Canada But consider the experience that they could transfer into your company –teachers are excellent trainers, understanding how individuals learn and breaking concepts down into manageable pieces. They can collaborate in teams and build workplans to accomplish a curriculum outcome (or project goal). Additionally, they have complex interpersonal relationships with students and their parents that can be translated into other relationship development positions.

If appropriate, consider hiring several individuals who share a common country of origin or language They can assist each other in overcoming language barriers and create a culture of familiarity within your team

Google translate, although not perfect, works! A local printing company was able to hire a printmaker from the Ukraine with limited English – a talented craftsman who has years of experience in the industry with a deep knowledge of the machinery, and has been an invaluable addition to the team His English is improving every day Google translate is now only used in deeper, more complicated conversations!

In closing, newcomers can bring a vast and diverse knowledge to your business. The way a person communicates and engages with others may be influenced by their cultural background, but any challenges that you may experience with integrating them into your team, will be easily eclipsed by their commitment to your company and the energy and passion that they bring to work every day. Our work culture is always improved when we have those from different backgrounds and experiences, and your team will benefit immensely from the rich contributions of newcomer employees

Reach out to the Chamber today to connect with organizations that can help you set the stage for welcoming newcomers into your business. And take it from some passionate members of the Business Development Committee – your company, and your team will be richer for welcoming some highly skilled new Canadians into your team.

Lois Ruston Secretary-Treasurer

Sources: https://www150 statcan gc ca/n1/dailyquotidien/221130/dq221130a-eng.pdf https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action? pid=1410032801&pickMembers%5B0%5D=1.1&pickMembers% 5B1%5D=2.358&cubeTimeFrame.startMonth=01&cubeTimeFr ame.startYear=2022&cubeTimeFrame.endMonth=10&cubeTi meFrame.endYear=2022&referencePeriods=20220101%2C 20221001

Our Business Development Committee visited Koch Fertilizer & Excel-7 Ltd., some of Brandon's key economic businesses!