Source:littleabout.com
Toronto, Feb 9 : Ghost immigration consultants have become a big threat to the immigration process in Canada which lets in more than 250,000 newcomers each year, a large number of them from Punjab.
According to figures, there are about 2,000 ghost immigration consultants as against just 1,655 registered by the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants. Operating out of the purview of law, these 'ghost' immigration consultants fleece thousands of prospective immigrants each year, defrauding them from $1,200 to $30,000 each.
Since India is the second largest source of immigration into Canada after China, the "ghost" problem is even deeper in the Indo-Canadian community as people here want to bring their relatives from India by hook or by crook.
The depth of the problem can be gauged from the following advertisement that appeared in a Chandigarh newspaper recently:
"JOB VACANCY IN CANADIAN HOTEL CANADA: Ominicity Hotel Director wish to advertise through this medium that the Following Job Vacancy in our Hotel. We need both men and females workers to fill in different categories of job openings. Currently, if your interested in working with us you can contact us back E-mail Address: ottawahotelss_canada@yahoo.ca Our Hotel Director shall connect you with our Canadian immigration director during your visa processing, SIGN BY DIRECTOR MRS RESOLING ANNA."
But inquiries revealed that there was no hotel by this name in Ottawa.
"Hundreds of such fly-by-night immigration operators have set shop in India to prey upon people desperate to move to Canada," Sheetal Jhuti, an Indo-Canadian immigration consultant based in Mississauga on the outskirts of Toronto, told IANS.
"These people go to Punjab and anywhere in India to scam the poor gullible people waiting to get any opportunity to get out of India," she says.
Jhuti adds, "Since an immigration consultant here has to pay high fees to the regulatory Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC), many of these so-called consultants choose to operate out of Canada in their native countries where they don't come under any supervision. That's what is happening in India."
Once you are operating outside the system, anyone can call himself or herself an immigration consultant, she says.
The modus operandi of these 'ghost' immigration consultants, she explains, is to open offices in Chandigarh or Jalandhar and appoint some people to fill up immigration forms for them.
Since these 'ghost' operators are not under jurisdiction of the Canadian regulatory body, they can advertise for jobs that don't exist. When people respond, they charge huge sums of money to fill up their forms and then vanish, sayimmigration sources here.
"Thousands of these ghost consultants advertise daily, thousands of so-called education consultancies lie and cheat in the name of getting student visas to the UK, Canada, and Australia," says Jhuti.
"So, while people like me are paying through our nose to get our licences to run a model consultancy, my neighbourhood pizza store owner is making more money than me by just providing form filling services," she adds.
"The situation is simply unacceptable. It not only threatens the integrity of our citizenship and immigration systems but it also raises in my mind national security issues," John Ryan, chair of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants, told the Globe and Mail newspaper last week.
"We know who (the ghost consultants) are and where they're operating. But law enforcement agencies can't do anything currently to stop them," he said.
The cheating is equally rampant in immigration from China, Pakistan and the Philippines - the other major sources of immigration into Canada.
Copyright Indo Asian News
Time to exorcise ghost immigration consultants
Some bilk newcomers, jeopardize national security
Vancouver SunFebruary 9, 2010
Many immigrants, leaving less than ideal circumstances in their own countries, choose to come to Canada in search of a better life. It's sad, then, that the first experience many of these vulnerable people have in Canada is one of exploitation.
The Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants drew attention to this problem last week, with the announcement of a $1-million advertising campaign. The campaign, which features the image of a shark attacking a seal, draws attention to the fact the unscrupulous, unaccredited immigration consultants -- known as "ghost" consultants -- treat prospective immigrants as prey. The ads will appear in a number of languages and will include a toll-free line to help immigrants find an accredited consultant.
The society, which was created in 2004, accredits and educates consultants, and by law, members are only allowed to take money in exchange for help in the immigration process. The problem, however, is that consultants need not be members of the society, and those who aren't frequently fleece prospective immigrants out of thousands of dollars.
For example, a Surrey woman recently claimed more than $50,000 had been illegally transferred from an account she had set up on the advice of Fereydoun Hadad, a West Vancouver immigration consultant. Hadad pleaded guilty in January to charges of fraud and uttering a forged document, and he will be sentenced in March.
And just last week it was revealed that the RCMP is investigating a case in which 300 people claimed to be living at the same address, This is not a unique situation, as shady agents often attempt to get around residency requirements by advising prospective immigrants to falsely claim they've been living in Canada.
In fact, these few examples don't convey the likely scope of this problem. The society notes that there are more ghost agents than there are accredited ones: While there are a total of 1,655 registered members, the society has identified some 1,920 ghost agents.
Not all of these ghosts are involved in illegal activities, but their sheer volume, and the fact that they operate in an entirely unregulated atmosphere, virtually guarantees that unscrupulous agents can quietly bilk people out of their life savings -- and put Canada's national security in jeopardy.
And this could become an even bigger problem, given that many Haitians are attempting to immigrate to Canada, particularly Quebec, where there are just 150 registered consultants.
Clearly, this is an area in need of significant reform.
The society was created in an effort to solve some problems associated with the immigration system, but given that membership in the society is entirely voluntary, the problems remain.
The society is calling on the federal government to crack down on ghost agents, something that has been promised for more than a year.
In response to the recent controversy, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said regulatory reforms will be announced this year.
It's about time to exorcise these ghosts. Our international reputation, and our national security, depend on it.
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver SunFebruary 9, 2010
Many immigrants, leaving less than ideal circumstances in their own countries, choose to come to Canada in search of a better life. It's sad, then, that the first experience many of these vulnerable people have in Canada is one of exploitation.
The Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants drew attention to this problem last week, with the announcement of a $1-million advertising campaign. The campaign, which features the image of a shark attacking a seal, draws attention to the fact the unscrupulous, unaccredited immigration consultants -- known as "ghost" consultants -- treat prospective immigrants as prey. The ads will appear in a number of languages and will include a toll-free line to help immigrants find an accredited consultant.
The society, which was created in 2004, accredits and educates consultants, and by law, members are only allowed to take money in exchange for help in the immigration process. The problem, however, is that consultants need not be members of the society, and those who aren't frequently fleece prospective immigrants out of thousands of dollars.
For example, a Surrey woman recently claimed more than $50,000 had been illegally transferred from an account she had set up on the advice of Fereydoun Hadad, a West Vancouver immigration consultant. Hadad pleaded guilty in January to charges of fraud and uttering a forged document, and he will be sentenced in March.
And just last week it was revealed that the RCMP is investigating a case in which 300 people claimed to be living at the same address, This is not a unique situation, as shady agents often attempt to get around residency requirements by advising prospective immigrants to falsely claim they've been living in Canada.
In fact, these few examples don't convey the likely scope of this problem. The society notes that there are more ghost agents than there are accredited ones: While there are a total of 1,655 registered members, the society has identified some 1,920 ghost agents.
Not all of these ghosts are involved in illegal activities, but their sheer volume, and the fact that they operate in an entirely unregulated atmosphere, virtually guarantees that unscrupulous agents can quietly bilk people out of their life savings -- and put Canada's national security in jeopardy.
And this could become an even bigger problem, given that many Haitians are attempting to immigrate to Canada, particularly Quebec, where there are just 150 registered consultants.
Clearly, this is an area in need of significant reform.
The society was created in an effort to solve some problems associated with the immigration system, but given that membership in the society is entirely voluntary, the problems remain.
The society is calling on the federal government to crack down on ghost agents, something that has been promised for more than a year.
In response to the recent controversy, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said regulatory reforms will be announced this year.
It's about time to exorcise these ghosts. Our international reputation, and our national security, depend on it.
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
N.B. rule change aims to boost immigration
FREDERICTON - The provincial government has changed immigration rules to allow residents to sponsor family members to move to the province from outside of Canada.
The changes to the Provincial Nominee Program are targeted to attract skilled workers and entrepreneurs to the province.
"The immediate family members of permanent residents should be afforded an opportunity to be successful in New Brunswick," said Business New Brunswick Minister Victor Boudreau, who is also responsible for the Population Growth Secretariat.
"This program change encourages retention by attracting newcomers with a genuine desire to stay in New Brunswick. Ultimately, we want our staff processing applications from individuals who are sincere about establishing businesses in our province."
Under the program's existing categories, nominees must have a job offer or a business plan. The changes will create a new category for skilled workers who already have family within New Brunswick.
Boudreau said residents will be able to help skilled family members find jobs and integrate into the province.
"Anyone looking for a job can tell you that the process often takes time and requires face-to-face contact with potential employers," he said.
"The process is even more difficult for those who live abroad."
In 2008, almost 2,000 immigrants arrived in New Brunswick through the program. The Population Growth Secretariat has a government mandate to attract 5,000 immigrants by 2015 and to significantly increase the retention rate once they arrive.
Lorraine LeClair, the executive director of the Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area, said the new categories will make the program more effective for both the province and new immigrants.
"I think it's going to be a good initiative for New Brunswick," she said. "It's also going to be a great thing for our newcomers so that they'll be able to keep their families together and have an opportunity to bring more folks to New Brunswick."
LeClair said that should help New Brunswick meet its population growth goals, as well as provide benefits to immigrants.
"It shows that there are roots that are going to be built here," she said. "It keeps that family unit as a whole and it shows that we're a welcoming community, not just for the bottom line, but for a healthier, overall family environment."
Entrepreneurial immigrants looking to set up a business in New Brunswick must now submit a deposit, which will be refunded if they establish a business within two years of arriving in the province and it stays in operation for at least one year.
Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island also have similar programs that require a refundable deposit.
Source: timestranscript.com
The changes to the Provincial Nominee Program are targeted to attract skilled workers and entrepreneurs to the province.
"The immediate family members of permanent residents should be afforded an opportunity to be successful in New Brunswick," said Business New Brunswick Minister Victor Boudreau, who is also responsible for the Population Growth Secretariat.
"This program change encourages retention by attracting newcomers with a genuine desire to stay in New Brunswick. Ultimately, we want our staff processing applications from individuals who are sincere about establishing businesses in our province."
Under the program's existing categories, nominees must have a job offer or a business plan. The changes will create a new category for skilled workers who already have family within New Brunswick.
Boudreau said residents will be able to help skilled family members find jobs and integrate into the province.
"Anyone looking for a job can tell you that the process often takes time and requires face-to-face contact with potential employers," he said.
"The process is even more difficult for those who live abroad."
In 2008, almost 2,000 immigrants arrived in New Brunswick through the program. The Population Growth Secretariat has a government mandate to attract 5,000 immigrants by 2015 and to significantly increase the retention rate once they arrive.
Lorraine LeClair, the executive director of the Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area, said the new categories will make the program more effective for both the province and new immigrants.
"I think it's going to be a good initiative for New Brunswick," she said. "It's also going to be a great thing for our newcomers so that they'll be able to keep their families together and have an opportunity to bring more folks to New Brunswick."
LeClair said that should help New Brunswick meet its population growth goals, as well as provide benefits to immigrants.
"It shows that there are roots that are going to be built here," she said. "It keeps that family unit as a whole and it shows that we're a welcoming community, not just for the bottom line, but for a healthier, overall family environment."
Entrepreneurial immigrants looking to set up a business in New Brunswick must now submit a deposit, which will be refunded if they establish a business within two years of arriving in the province and it stays in operation for at least one year.
Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island also have similar programs that require a refundable deposit.
Source: timestranscript.com
New rules help draw foreign students
Colleges laud move to speed visa process
Source: thestart.com
Nicholas Keung,
Immigration Reporter
Until nine months ago, prospective students from India had to wait up to eight months for a visa to study in Canada – with many of them being rejected after a long delay or missing the course deadlines.
But a pilot program to fast-track applicants by Citizenship and Immigration Canada has dramatically reduced the visa-processing time to mere weeks for students like New Delhi's Dharam Pratap Singh, 29, who is enrolled in Centennial College's one-year project management post-graduate program.
Until the visa change was made, he says, students had to pay a fee and wait, possibly for too long, until they missed a term "and it's a year lost."
Canadian colleges laud the program, saying it will help them compete with schools in the United States, Britain and Australia in attracting international students, who pay far higher tuitions than local students.
The joint program between Canada's visa offices in India and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges has tightened the screening of applicants. Among other things, college officials must verify an applicant's financial resources and English proficiency.
"We want our international students' first experience with Canada to be a welcoming one," said Lorraine Trotter, dean of international and immigration education at George Brown College.
Under the pilot program, visa offices in India have received more than 4,000 applications with an approval rate more than double the previous year. Visa processing averages only 2 1/2 weeks.
As a result, Centennial College has seen its students from India increase from 450 to 975, with the visa-approval rate jumping from 27 per cent to 87 per cent.
"We want good students. Canada wants good immigrants. The program is marrying both," said Virginia Macchiavello, Centennial's international education director.
The number of foreign students in Canada has doubled since 1998 to 178,000, creating an estimated 83,000 jobs for Canadians last year. A 2009 government report found the students contributed $6.5 billion to the local economy.
As a result of globalization, George Brown's Trotter said many colleges have developed international strategies that include the delivery of programs overseas through partners and the globalization of curriculum for Canadian students.
"Employers are always looking for global-savvy employees," said Trotter, who just returned from a month-long tour of China and Korea to meet with overseas partners and promote the college.
Macchiavello said many visa students are keen on immigrating to Canada after graduation.
Their investment in a Canadian education can help cut integration costs, she said.
Rashmeet Kaur, a food and nutrition post-graduate student at Centennial, is one of those interested in staying in Canada.
"I like Canada," the 23-year-old New Delhi native said.
"I like its multicultural environment."
WHERE THE STUDENTS COME FROM
China: ..................................... 42,154
Korea: .................................... 27,440
U.S.: .......................................... 11,317
France: ..................................... 8,553
India: ......................................... 7,314
Japan:....................................... 6,627
Saudi Arabia: .......................... 4,672
Taiwan:...................................... 4,127
Hong Kong: .............................. 4,116
Mexico: .................................... 3,853
TOTAL: ................................ 178,227
Source: Citizenship and Immigration
Source: thestart.com
Nicholas Keung,
Immigration Reporter
Until nine months ago, prospective students from India had to wait up to eight months for a visa to study in Canada – with many of them being rejected after a long delay or missing the course deadlines.
But a pilot program to fast-track applicants by Citizenship and Immigration Canada has dramatically reduced the visa-processing time to mere weeks for students like New Delhi's Dharam Pratap Singh, 29, who is enrolled in Centennial College's one-year project management post-graduate program.
Until the visa change was made, he says, students had to pay a fee and wait, possibly for too long, until they missed a term "and it's a year lost."
Canadian colleges laud the program, saying it will help them compete with schools in the United States, Britain and Australia in attracting international students, who pay far higher tuitions than local students.
The joint program between Canada's visa offices in India and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges has tightened the screening of applicants. Among other things, college officials must verify an applicant's financial resources and English proficiency.
"We want our international students' first experience with Canada to be a welcoming one," said Lorraine Trotter, dean of international and immigration education at George Brown College.
Under the pilot program, visa offices in India have received more than 4,000 applications with an approval rate more than double the previous year. Visa processing averages only 2 1/2 weeks.
As a result, Centennial College has seen its students from India increase from 450 to 975, with the visa-approval rate jumping from 27 per cent to 87 per cent.
"We want good students. Canada wants good immigrants. The program is marrying both," said Virginia Macchiavello, Centennial's international education director.
The number of foreign students in Canada has doubled since 1998 to 178,000, creating an estimated 83,000 jobs for Canadians last year. A 2009 government report found the students contributed $6.5 billion to the local economy.
As a result of globalization, George Brown's Trotter said many colleges have developed international strategies that include the delivery of programs overseas through partners and the globalization of curriculum for Canadian students.
"Employers are always looking for global-savvy employees," said Trotter, who just returned from a month-long tour of China and Korea to meet with overseas partners and promote the college.
Macchiavello said many visa students are keen on immigrating to Canada after graduation.
Their investment in a Canadian education can help cut integration costs, she said.
Rashmeet Kaur, a food and nutrition post-graduate student at Centennial, is one of those interested in staying in Canada.
"I like Canada," the 23-year-old New Delhi native said.
"I like its multicultural environment."
WHERE THE STUDENTS COME FROM
China: ..................................... 42,154
Korea: .................................... 27,440
U.S.: .......................................... 11,317
France: ..................................... 8,553
India: ......................................... 7,314
Japan:....................................... 6,627
Saudi Arabia: .......................... 4,672
Taiwan:...................................... 4,127
Hong Kong: .............................. 4,116
Mexico: .................................... 3,853
TOTAL: ................................ 178,227
Source: Citizenship and Immigration
Think Canada
Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
Think Canada
View more presentations from InvestInCanada.
ICTC tool helps immigrants find IT jobs in Canada
By:Jennifer Kavur
05.02.2010 kl 20:29 | IDG News Service
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) recently launched a new online self-assessment tool that helps technology professionals from foreign countries determine whether or not they have what it takes to secure employment in Canada.
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) recently launched a new online self-assessment tool that helps technology professionals from foreign countries determine whether or not they have what it takes to secure employment in Canada.
Unveiled at ICTC's 2010 Immigration Initiatives Partnership Celebration in Ottawa, the Canada Readiness Tool includes three modules to evaluate culture, communications and competencies for those considering the move to Canada as well as those already in the country seeking work.
Internationally educated professionals (IEPs) are very strong in their technical abilities, but very weak when it comes to cultural differences, communication skills and understanding what their competencies are, said Paul Swinwood, president of ICTC.
ICTC has identified competencies for 36 different occupations in the IT sector in Canada and the tool checks against these competencies to give IEPs an idea of what occupations they would more likely fit into and where their strengths and weaknesses are, he said.
The tool also intends to fill some gaps indicated by IEPs, such as the lack of information about the labour market, how and where to find employment and what it actually takes to work at a Canadian company, Swinwood added.
It also includes guides on how to build a resume, how to interview for a position, and labour market intelligence to help job seekers determine not only where jobs are located, but which companies hire for positions that match their skill set.
Roughly 80 per cent of immigrants end up in Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver, but that's not necessarily where the work might be for their skill sets, Swinwood pointed out.
In partnership with the Government of Canada and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, ICTC validated the effectiveness of the tool in India, China and the Philippines prior to its launch. Pilots were also conducted in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Ottawa.
The feedback provided a few "fantastic examples of people getting involved with this at the beginning of their quest to come to Canada right through to employment here in Canada," he said.
Funded by the Government of Canada's Foreign Credential Recognition Program, the tool is available free of charge in English and French to anyone interested in taking it.
The Canada Readiness Tool is one part of the larger Internationally Educated Professionals Integration Initiative, an ICTC-led project involving numerous programs, resources and tools created in partnership with government, industry and immigrant settlement agencies.
"We would not be successful without our partners," said Swinwood.
The tool is "another step in our approach to integrating internationally educated professionals," he said. "We see a lot more to be done across Canada ... we want to make sure that as part of Canada's competitiveness, we do everything we can to keep this valuable resource here and make sure that our companies have these people."
ICTC forecasts roughly 170,000 people will be needed in the ICT sector by 2015 and up to 30 per cent of that demand will come from IEPs. "Unfortunately, we are seeing a decline in the number of people actually applying to immigrate to Canada as an ICT professional," said Swinwood.
Jennifer Cowland, director of technology services for Robert Half Technology Vancouver, provided a few tips to help immigrants find work in the IT field as quickly as possible.
"The job market is the toughest it's been in decades and that's especially true for immigrants who are now competing with an even larger pool of candidates than they would in a stronger economy," said Cowland.
It's "imperative to stay in a very positive mindset," she said. This includes remaining flexible on relocating within Canada, exploring new ways to apply your expertise, highlighting your transferable skills and being willing to compromise on contracts.
One big challenge immigrant IT workers face, according to Cowland, is a lack of Canadian work experience. "I strongly suggest that any individual hearing that looks into temporary contract roles and/or volunteering for a not-for-profit organization," she said.
It's also very important to have a strong command of local customs, soft skills and the English language, she noted. She also suggested networking, reaching out to a specialized IT recruiter such as Robert Half and finding one or two mentors.
There are two types of mentors you can tap into, said Cowland. The first is a professional mentor who has already been through the same situation as you and can help you learn local business customs and broaden your network; the second is a mentor working specifically in your field within a company you'd like to work for, she said.
Certifications are also "incredibly valuable and incredibly important," said Cowland. The value of certifications greatly depends on the needs of each IT department and they often have to be coupled with relevant experience, but there are a few that are in very strong demand, she said.
These include the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS), the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP), the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and the Project Management Professional (PMP), she said.
The good news is that the unemployment rate for IT pros is "significantly lower than the national average," said Cowland.
According to Statistics Canada, the unadjusted unemployment rate for the Computer and Telecommunication industries was 5.4 per cent in December 2009. The national unemployment rate was 7.8 per cent that same month.
Montreal-based recruitment agency Kovasys Inc. recently reported "a large influx of foreign IT specialists working in the U.S. on H-1B visas relocating and settling in Canada."
"We have found almost a threefold increase of U.S. applicants wanting to come and work in Canada," said Alex Kovalenko, director of operations for Kovasys.
In 2008, Kovasys found 0.6 per cent of screened applicants from the U.S. applying to work in Canada. The percentage increased to 1.6 per cent in 2009, reflecting an increase of 260 per cent in one year, reports the firm.
"The number could also be higher," Kovalenko noted. Some applicants indicate Toronto and/or Montreal as their main residence even if they are still residing and working in the U.S. on an H-1B visa, he said.
Motivating factors for moving north, according to Kovasys, include Canada's high standard of living, free health care, less stringent visa restrictions and even exchange rate with the U.S. dollar.
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa granting specialists temporary work in the U.S. under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Follow me on Twitter @jenniferkavur.
05.02.2010 kl 20:29 | IDG News Service
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) recently launched a new online self-assessment tool that helps technology professionals from foreign countries determine whether or not they have what it takes to secure employment in Canada.
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) recently launched a new online self-assessment tool that helps technology professionals from foreign countries determine whether or not they have what it takes to secure employment in Canada.
Unveiled at ICTC's 2010 Immigration Initiatives Partnership Celebration in Ottawa, the Canada Readiness Tool includes three modules to evaluate culture, communications and competencies for those considering the move to Canada as well as those already in the country seeking work.
Internationally educated professionals (IEPs) are very strong in their technical abilities, but very weak when it comes to cultural differences, communication skills and understanding what their competencies are, said Paul Swinwood, president of ICTC.
ICTC has identified competencies for 36 different occupations in the IT sector in Canada and the tool checks against these competencies to give IEPs an idea of what occupations they would more likely fit into and where their strengths and weaknesses are, he said.
The tool also intends to fill some gaps indicated by IEPs, such as the lack of information about the labour market, how and where to find employment and what it actually takes to work at a Canadian company, Swinwood added.
It also includes guides on how to build a resume, how to interview for a position, and labour market intelligence to help job seekers determine not only where jobs are located, but which companies hire for positions that match their skill set.
Roughly 80 per cent of immigrants end up in Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver, but that's not necessarily where the work might be for their skill sets, Swinwood pointed out.
In partnership with the Government of Canada and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, ICTC validated the effectiveness of the tool in India, China and the Philippines prior to its launch. Pilots were also conducted in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Ottawa.
The feedback provided a few "fantastic examples of people getting involved with this at the beginning of their quest to come to Canada right through to employment here in Canada," he said.
Funded by the Government of Canada's Foreign Credential Recognition Program, the tool is available free of charge in English and French to anyone interested in taking it.
The Canada Readiness Tool is one part of the larger Internationally Educated Professionals Integration Initiative, an ICTC-led project involving numerous programs, resources and tools created in partnership with government, industry and immigrant settlement agencies.
"We would not be successful without our partners," said Swinwood.
The tool is "another step in our approach to integrating internationally educated professionals," he said. "We see a lot more to be done across Canada ... we want to make sure that as part of Canada's competitiveness, we do everything we can to keep this valuable resource here and make sure that our companies have these people."
ICTC forecasts roughly 170,000 people will be needed in the ICT sector by 2015 and up to 30 per cent of that demand will come from IEPs. "Unfortunately, we are seeing a decline in the number of people actually applying to immigrate to Canada as an ICT professional," said Swinwood.
Jennifer Cowland, director of technology services for Robert Half Technology Vancouver, provided a few tips to help immigrants find work in the IT field as quickly as possible.
"The job market is the toughest it's been in decades and that's especially true for immigrants who are now competing with an even larger pool of candidates than they would in a stronger economy," said Cowland.
It's "imperative to stay in a very positive mindset," she said. This includes remaining flexible on relocating within Canada, exploring new ways to apply your expertise, highlighting your transferable skills and being willing to compromise on contracts.
One big challenge immigrant IT workers face, according to Cowland, is a lack of Canadian work experience. "I strongly suggest that any individual hearing that looks into temporary contract roles and/or volunteering for a not-for-profit organization," she said.
It's also very important to have a strong command of local customs, soft skills and the English language, she noted. She also suggested networking, reaching out to a specialized IT recruiter such as Robert Half and finding one or two mentors.
There are two types of mentors you can tap into, said Cowland. The first is a professional mentor who has already been through the same situation as you and can help you learn local business customs and broaden your network; the second is a mentor working specifically in your field within a company you'd like to work for, she said.
Certifications are also "incredibly valuable and incredibly important," said Cowland. The value of certifications greatly depends on the needs of each IT department and they often have to be coupled with relevant experience, but there are a few that are in very strong demand, she said.
These include the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS), the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP), the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and the Project Management Professional (PMP), she said.
The good news is that the unemployment rate for IT pros is "significantly lower than the national average," said Cowland.
According to Statistics Canada, the unadjusted unemployment rate for the Computer and Telecommunication industries was 5.4 per cent in December 2009. The national unemployment rate was 7.8 per cent that same month.
Montreal-based recruitment agency Kovasys Inc. recently reported "a large influx of foreign IT specialists working in the U.S. on H-1B visas relocating and settling in Canada."
"We have found almost a threefold increase of U.S. applicants wanting to come and work in Canada," said Alex Kovalenko, director of operations for Kovasys.
In 2008, Kovasys found 0.6 per cent of screened applicants from the U.S. applying to work in Canada. The percentage increased to 1.6 per cent in 2009, reflecting an increase of 260 per cent in one year, reports the firm.
"The number could also be higher," Kovalenko noted. Some applicants indicate Toronto and/or Montreal as their main residence even if they are still residing and working in the U.S. on an H-1B visa, he said.
Motivating factors for moving north, according to Kovasys, include Canada's high standard of living, free health care, less stringent visa restrictions and even exchange rate with the U.S. dollar.
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa granting specialists temporary work in the U.S. under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Follow me on Twitter @jenniferkavur.
Canada Ranks 2nd out of 16 Peer Countries in Education and Skills Performance
By:Kathleen Legris
Canada earned top marks for its Education and Skills performance, according to the Conference Board of Canada’s How Canada Performs comparison with 16 other developed countries.
How Canada Performs: A Report Card on Canada is the Conference Board’s annual benchmarking analysis, which the Board has conducted since 1996. The assessment measures Canada’s performance against leading countries in the domains of Economy, Health, Society, Innovation, Environment, and Education and Skills.
Canada did exceptionally well in Education, even outperforming its largest trading partner, the U.S., by a sizable margin. The latest Education and Skills rankings give the country an “A” grade, an improvement from last year’s “B” result. Canada remains second to Finland in overall Education and Skills outcomes followed by Japan, Switzerland, Sweden Australia, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, U.K., Denmark, Austria, Ireland, France, Norway, U.S. and Italy. Canada closed the gap on Finland by improving substantially on two key indicators:
* The proportion of working-age population that graduated from high school increased by a full percentage to 86.6%.
* Canada’s proportion of graduates from science, math, computer science and engineering disciplines improved significantly.
Canada’s strength is in delivering a high-quality education to people between the ages of 5 and 25 with comparatively modest spending. The country obtained “A” or “B” grades on 13 of the 15 Education and Skills indicators. Some weaknesses were illustrated in the results. Canada received a “D” grade on the indicator measuring Ph.D. graduates, and its performance on this indicator has deteriorated significantly over time. The leading country on this indicator, Sweden, has three and a half times Canada’s Ph.D. graduation rate. This poor ranking has implications for the country’s ability to improve innovation, productivity, and competitiveness.
How Canada Performs: A Report Card on Canada measures how well Canada is meeting its fundamental goal of creating a high and sustainable quality of life for all Canadians. The majority of the data used for this benchmarking report is supplied by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The rest comes from other reliable sources, such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. The most recent year of data is used for each indicator. In some cases, such as literacy skills, the data is taken from surveys that were conducted several years ago.
Canada earned top marks for its Education and Skills performance, according to the Conference Board of Canada’s How Canada Performs comparison with 16 other developed countries.
How Canada Performs: A Report Card on Canada is the Conference Board’s annual benchmarking analysis, which the Board has conducted since 1996. The assessment measures Canada’s performance against leading countries in the domains of Economy, Health, Society, Innovation, Environment, and Education and Skills.
Canada did exceptionally well in Education, even outperforming its largest trading partner, the U.S., by a sizable margin. The latest Education and Skills rankings give the country an “A” grade, an improvement from last year’s “B” result. Canada remains second to Finland in overall Education and Skills outcomes followed by Japan, Switzerland, Sweden Australia, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, U.K., Denmark, Austria, Ireland, France, Norway, U.S. and Italy. Canada closed the gap on Finland by improving substantially on two key indicators:
* The proportion of working-age population that graduated from high school increased by a full percentage to 86.6%.
* Canada’s proportion of graduates from science, math, computer science and engineering disciplines improved significantly.
Canada’s strength is in delivering a high-quality education to people between the ages of 5 and 25 with comparatively modest spending. The country obtained “A” or “B” grades on 13 of the 15 Education and Skills indicators. Some weaknesses were illustrated in the results. Canada received a “D” grade on the indicator measuring Ph.D. graduates, and its performance on this indicator has deteriorated significantly over time. The leading country on this indicator, Sweden, has three and a half times Canada’s Ph.D. graduation rate. This poor ranking has implications for the country’s ability to improve innovation, productivity, and competitiveness.
How Canada Performs: A Report Card on Canada measures how well Canada is meeting its fundamental goal of creating a high and sustainable quality of life for all Canadians. The majority of the data used for this benchmarking report is supplied by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The rest comes from other reliable sources, such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. The most recent year of data is used for each indicator. In some cases, such as literacy skills, the data is taken from surveys that were conducted several years ago.
Earn While You Learn: International Students Work in Canada from Arrival through Post-Graduation
By:Kathleen Legris
International students are permitted to work in Canada from the point of arrival through post-graduation. In most cases, students will need to apply for a Work Permit to participate in a co-op/internship placement, work off campus, or apply for jobs after graduation. A Work Permit is not required for on-campus employment.
Working On Campus
International students do not need to apply for or hold a Work Permit in order to work on campus. Students may work on campus immediately upon arrival in Canada if they are:
* Enrolled full-time in a designated post-secondary; and
* Have a valid study permit.
Working Off Campus
The Off-Campus Work Permit Program allows certain international students to work off campus while completing their studies. To qualify, students must be enrolled in a participating post-secondary educational institution and meet the guidelines set out by that institution. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) publishes a complete list of eligible institutions, by province on their website.
Students are not eligible to apply for an Off-Campus Work Permit immediately upon arrival in Canada. Instead, they must have been enrolled full-time at least 6 of the previous 12 months and meet the academic requirements set out by their university or college to be eligible.
Co-op and Internship Programs
For some academic programs, work experience is part of the curriculum. In these cases, an open Work Permit can be issued with the institution listed as the employer. If several work periods are required throughout the program, the Work Permit can be issued for the same period as the Study Permit.
International students, scholars, and scientists may also obtain Work Permits for work related to a research, educational or training program.
Post-Graduation Employment Program
The Post-Graduate Employment Program is designed to provide graduating students with Canadian work experience. Students may work in Canada for up to three years after graduation. The duration of the permit is based upon the length of study in Canada. Students who have completed less than 8 months of study are not eligible.
An application guide and forms to apply for an Off-Campus Work Permit, Co-op Work Permit, and Post Graduate Employment can be found on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website. International Student Advisors in university Student Services offices can also provide advice and information on these processes.
International students are permitted to work in Canada from the point of arrival through post-graduation. In most cases, students will need to apply for a Work Permit to participate in a co-op/internship placement, work off campus, or apply for jobs after graduation. A Work Permit is not required for on-campus employment.
Working On Campus
International students do not need to apply for or hold a Work Permit in order to work on campus. Students may work on campus immediately upon arrival in Canada if they are:
* Enrolled full-time in a designated post-secondary; and
* Have a valid study permit.
Working Off Campus
The Off-Campus Work Permit Program allows certain international students to work off campus while completing their studies. To qualify, students must be enrolled in a participating post-secondary educational institution and meet the guidelines set out by that institution. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) publishes a complete list of eligible institutions, by province on their website.
Students are not eligible to apply for an Off-Campus Work Permit immediately upon arrival in Canada. Instead, they must have been enrolled full-time at least 6 of the previous 12 months and meet the academic requirements set out by their university or college to be eligible.
Co-op and Internship Programs
For some academic programs, work experience is part of the curriculum. In these cases, an open Work Permit can be issued with the institution listed as the employer. If several work periods are required throughout the program, the Work Permit can be issued for the same period as the Study Permit.
International students, scholars, and scientists may also obtain Work Permits for work related to a research, educational or training program.
Post-Graduation Employment Program
The Post-Graduate Employment Program is designed to provide graduating students with Canadian work experience. Students may work in Canada for up to three years after graduation. The duration of the permit is based upon the length of study in Canada. Students who have completed less than 8 months of study are not eligible.
An application guide and forms to apply for an Off-Campus Work Permit, Co-op Work Permit, and Post Graduate Employment can be found on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website. International Student Advisors in university Student Services offices can also provide advice and information on these processes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Check our online courses now
Click Here now!!!!