Feb. 5, 2010
FREDERICTON (CNB) - The provincial government is changing the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to allow residents to help family members immigrate if they possess work skills required in New Brunswick.
"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 the minister responsible for the Population Growth Secretariat.
The PNP is designed to help the provinces attract entrepreneurs and skilled workers according to their specific needs. Under the program's existing categories of skilled worker and entrepreneur, nominees need to have a job offer or a business plan to be nominated.
These program changes will introduce a new category for skilled workers who have family support. Residents with family members who have specified work skills will be able to help these family members with their job search, settlement and integration.
"Anyone looking for a job can tell you that the process often takes time and requires face to face contact with potential employers," said Boudreau. "The process is even more difficult for those who live abroad."
Dependents who are eligible to apply for the federal program are not eligible for the PNP.
The entrepreneurial component is also being adjusted to improve overall immigrant retention.
Entrepreneurial immigrants who wish to set up a business in New Brunswick must now submit a conditionally refundable deposit. They will be eligible for a refund if they establish a business within two years of arriving in the province and have it in operation for at least one year.
"This program change encourages retention by attracting newcomers with a genuine desire to stay in New Brunswick," said Boudreau. "Ultimately, we want our staff processing applications from individuals who are sincere about establishing businesses in our province."
The deposit will apply only to entrepreneurial immigrants. Applicants must still prove they have the skills, training and finances to start and operate a successful business in New Brunswick.
"Typically, entrepreneurial immigrants are financially flexible and very independent," said Boudreau. "Unless there is some commitment to our province, they can easily move to other regions of Canada."
Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island have Provincial Nominee Programs that include a requirement for a refundable deposit.
In 2008, almost 2,000 immigrants arrived in New Brunswick through the PNP, compared to 24 in 1999. The Population Growth Secretariat has a government mandate to attract 5,000 immigrants by 2015 and to significantly increase the retention rate.
New Brunswick makes changes to PNP to welcome more immigrants
This week, the province of New Brunswick made modifications to its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to allow it to attract a greater number of immigrants. Family members of current residents of New Brunswick are now eligible to apply under this PNP if they possess work skills that are in demand in New Brunswick.
Before the changes, there were two categories under the New Brunswick PNP: one category for individuals with job offers in the province and one for those who planned to establish a business in New Brunswick.
There are now three categories:
* Skilled Worker Applicants with Employer Support, for those who have guaranteed job offers from New Brunswick employers;
* Skilled Worker Applicants with Family Support, for those who have family members who have been living and working in New Brunswick for at least one year and who possess skills in demand in the province;
* Business Applicants for individuals who wish to start a business in New Brunswick.
A new requirement was added to the Business Applicants category to ensure that only those who intend to start a business in New Brunswick are nominated under this program. Applicants must now make a conditionally refundable deposit of CDN 75,000 prior to nomination. The deposit will be refunded if the applicant established a business within two years of landing in New Brunswick and operates it for at least one year.
Are you eligible to immigrate to Canada under this PNP or any other category? Fill out our free Canadian immigration assessment form and find out.
Source: Canadavisa.com
http://www.canadavisa.com/new-brunswick-changes-pnp-welcome-more-immigrants-100208.html
Before the changes, there were two categories under the New Brunswick PNP: one category for individuals with job offers in the province and one for those who planned to establish a business in New Brunswick.
There are now three categories:
* Skilled Worker Applicants with Employer Support, for those who have guaranteed job offers from New Brunswick employers;
* Skilled Worker Applicants with Family Support, for those who have family members who have been living and working in New Brunswick for at least one year and who possess skills in demand in the province;
* Business Applicants for individuals who wish to start a business in New Brunswick.
A new requirement was added to the Business Applicants category to ensure that only those who intend to start a business in New Brunswick are nominated under this program. Applicants must now make a conditionally refundable deposit of CDN 75,000 prior to nomination. The deposit will be refunded if the applicant established a business within two years of landing in New Brunswick and operates it for at least one year.
Are you eligible to immigrate to Canada under this PNP or any other category? Fill out our free Canadian immigration assessment form and find out.
Source: Canadavisa.com
http://www.canadavisa.com/new-brunswick-changes-pnp-welcome-more-immigrants-100208.html
New rules to benefit Canada immigrants
By SHIANEE MAMANGLU
February 15, 2010, 5:39pm
Architects, nurses, teachers, and pharmacists are some of the professionals who will benefit from a new Canada framework seeking to ensure a fair and competitive labor market environment for immigrants, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said Monday.
The DoLE said that the government of Canada recently implemented the “Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications,” which is equivalent to credential recognition, allowing for an individuals/immigrants to have their qualifications recognized and be directed toward related occupations commensurate with their skills and experience.
“The new framework will address specific barriers to qualification recognition. This is another good news for Filipinos,'' Director Salome Mendoza, head of the Canada desk of DoLE told the Bulletin.
"The framework will be implemented in eight occupations starting December 31 for the first batch and in six occupations by 2012 for the second batch,'' she added.
She said the first batch of occupations qualified for assessment for credential recognition include architects, engineers, auditors, accountants, medical laboratory technicians, occupation therapists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and nurses.
The second batch of occupations include the dentists, engineering technicians, licensed practical nurses, medical radiation technician, physicians, and teachers (from kindergarten to Grade 12), she said.
Mendoza said that many Filipino immigrants today continue to encounter barriers to the recognition of theirs skills, education and experience due to some countries' occupational regulatory systems.
She said the occupational regulatory systems in Canada were designed to respond only to Canadian-educated applicants, although its government developed some flexibility to accommodate applicants in occupations like education or teaching.
According to Mendoza, the new framework was adopted for the purpose of addressing the current gaps to successful immigrant labor market integration.
Under the Pan-Canadian framework, immigrants looking to enter regulated occupations in Canada will now receive clear information as early as possible on the immigration process, fair treatment during the assessment process and prompt communication of recognition decisions.
The framework's purpose is “to articulate a new, joint vision for governments to take concerted action to improve the integration of immigrants and other internationally-trained workers into the Canadian labour market.''
February 15, 2010, 5:39pm
Architects, nurses, teachers, and pharmacists are some of the professionals who will benefit from a new Canada framework seeking to ensure a fair and competitive labor market environment for immigrants, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said Monday.
The DoLE said that the government of Canada recently implemented the “Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications,” which is equivalent to credential recognition, allowing for an individuals/immigrants to have their qualifications recognized and be directed toward related occupations commensurate with their skills and experience.
“The new framework will address specific barriers to qualification recognition. This is another good news for Filipinos,'' Director Salome Mendoza, head of the Canada desk of DoLE told the Bulletin.
"The framework will be implemented in eight occupations starting December 31 for the first batch and in six occupations by 2012 for the second batch,'' she added.
She said the first batch of occupations qualified for assessment for credential recognition include architects, engineers, auditors, accountants, medical laboratory technicians, occupation therapists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and nurses.
The second batch of occupations include the dentists, engineering technicians, licensed practical nurses, medical radiation technician, physicians, and teachers (from kindergarten to Grade 12), she said.
Mendoza said that many Filipino immigrants today continue to encounter barriers to the recognition of theirs skills, education and experience due to some countries' occupational regulatory systems.
She said the occupational regulatory systems in Canada were designed to respond only to Canadian-educated applicants, although its government developed some flexibility to accommodate applicants in occupations like education or teaching.
According to Mendoza, the new framework was adopted for the purpose of addressing the current gaps to successful immigrant labor market integration.
Under the Pan-Canadian framework, immigrants looking to enter regulated occupations in Canada will now receive clear information as early as possible on the immigration process, fair treatment during the assessment process and prompt communication of recognition decisions.
The framework's purpose is “to articulate a new, joint vision for governments to take concerted action to improve the integration of immigrants and other internationally-trained workers into the Canadian labour market.''
Canada in Top Five countries of the world by Employed Foreign Workers
A recent study shows that Canada among most attractive countries for international skilled workers to seek their employment, it hold 4th position after USA, Britain and Spain. In polls respondents indicated that would try to come to Canada to work, half of those also indicated that will seek for the opportunity to make immigration to Canada through their employment engagements. It is also noted that mobility of work force come with attributes of age and education, it is associated with young professionals with university education in their earlier 30-s. Canadian Immigration requirement for skilled worker immigration program set this criteria as preferred for Canada.
The reasons behind selecting Canada as top choice for immigration are obvious, high level of wages, lower cost of living in comparison to US, greater opportunities for employment within professional experience and educational background, career growth potential, welcoming social environment. Most foreigners working engineers, production operators, technicians and specialists in the field of information technology.
To work temporarily in Canada it is required to obtain Canadian Temporary Work Permit prior or/and related work visa documents prior to be allowed to work in Canada and choose different jobs. Those individuals who choose to apply for permanent residence in Canada upon completion of their initial working contract, having a job a demonstrating ability of finding job will in most cases qualify them for landed immigrant status without living Canada or going the standard immigration to Canada process.
The reasons behind selecting Canada as top choice for immigration are obvious, high level of wages, lower cost of living in comparison to US, greater opportunities for employment within professional experience and educational background, career growth potential, welcoming social environment. Most foreigners working engineers, production operators, technicians and specialists in the field of information technology.
To work temporarily in Canada it is required to obtain Canadian Temporary Work Permit prior or/and related work visa documents prior to be allowed to work in Canada and choose different jobs. Those individuals who choose to apply for permanent residence in Canada upon completion of their initial working contract, having a job a demonstrating ability of finding job will in most cases qualify them for landed immigrant status without living Canada or going the standard immigration to Canada process.
Canada lures Indian students with citizenship offer.
Friday, 5 February 2010
Effective February 14th 2010 international students who attained a degree from a Quebec university will be offered a “certificate of selection” that will fast track them to obtaining Canadian citizenshi
Quebec Premier Jean Charest asserted that , "any student who obtains a bachelor, masters or PhD degree from a Quebec institute will automatically receive a certification of selection to become a citizen of Canada. This is the first time that such a step is being taken, and the idea is to recognise the efforts and skills of those who come to study with us. We have a shortage of skilled labourers, and we need to address that".
This move was intentional in luring students from India as Canada already has long standing partnerships with many Indian institutions.
Since its inception nine months, ago the Student Partners Program has seen approximately 4,000 applications submitted from Indian students intending to study in Canadian colleges and universities.
Immigration Minister Jason Kenny, commented that "international students bring with them new ideas and experiences and contribute both financially and culturally to the communities and institutions where they study."
A pilot project is currently under way to increase the processing time of students. As a result the acceptance rate has doubled and the applications of students are being processed in as little as two and a half weeks. Despite the quick processing time, the system is designed to identify fraudulent applications by administering a series of checks, including requiring the applicant to provide verifiable documentation as well as collecting feedback from colleges as to whether students are attending classes and upholding academic standards.
Currently there are more than 178,000 international students studying in Canada.
If you are interested in Visas to Canada, contact Nexus Canada for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you.
Effective February 14th 2010 international students who attained a degree from a Quebec university will be offered a “certificate of selection” that will fast track them to obtaining Canadian citizenshi
Quebec Premier Jean Charest asserted that , "any student who obtains a bachelor, masters or PhD degree from a Quebec institute will automatically receive a certification of selection to become a citizen of Canada. This is the first time that such a step is being taken, and the idea is to recognise the efforts and skills of those who come to study with us. We have a shortage of skilled labourers, and we need to address that".
This move was intentional in luring students from India as Canada already has long standing partnerships with many Indian institutions.
Since its inception nine months, ago the Student Partners Program has seen approximately 4,000 applications submitted from Indian students intending to study in Canadian colleges and universities.
Immigration Minister Jason Kenny, commented that "international students bring with them new ideas and experiences and contribute both financially and culturally to the communities and institutions where they study."
A pilot project is currently under way to increase the processing time of students. As a result the acceptance rate has doubled and the applications of students are being processed in as little as two and a half weeks. Despite the quick processing time, the system is designed to identify fraudulent applications by administering a series of checks, including requiring the applicant to provide verifiable documentation as well as collecting feedback from colleges as to whether students are attending classes and upholding academic standards.
Currently there are more than 178,000 international students studying in Canada.
If you are interested in Visas to Canada, contact Nexus Canada for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you.
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMS (SWAP, WHP) CANADA
Canada's International Youth Exchange Program visa allows eligible foreign students and young workers from designated countries to work and live in Canada temporarily in order to learn new skills and gain valuable exposure to the Canadian culture. The programs vary from country to country and are managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Many of these programs offer a first-come first-served processing rule, while some programs have a limited number of spaces each year. Each program maintains its own requirements, application quotas, submission deadlines and upper age limits, and applications are processed on a first-come first-served basis.
There may also be conditions attached to the Working Holiday visa which may limit the type of work and the employer for whom the applicant may work. Once granted, Working Holiday visa holders can vacation and travel in Canada , explore the diverse country, and engage in temporary work to supplement their travel expenses.
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM VISA REQUIREMENTS
In order to qualify for a Working Holiday visa, applicants must:
* Hold a valid passport from a country which has a reciprocal arrangement with Canada;
* Be aged between 18-35 years of age at the time of the application(depending on the relevant program);
* Be a full-time student in some cases, possess no criminal convictions or serious medical conditions; and
* Have sufficient funds for their intended stay in Canada.
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM VISA ENTITLEMENTS
Once an International Youth Exchange Program visa has been issued, applicants are generally provided with assistance on organizing their trip, job search, assistance and orientation in Canada upon arrival, accommodation arrangement and support. The duration of the visa will usually vary between 1-24 months. Applicants can also pursue language, general interest of self-improvement studies. An International Youth Exchange Program visa is an invaluable opportunity for young people to explore all that Canada has to offer. Applications are accepted on a yearly basis, on a first-come first-served basis. Some Working Holiday visas are issued as a once-in-a lifetime opportunity, while others allow for repeat participation. Temporary work permit holders can extend their stay in Canada by applying for another visa, during their stay.
There may also be conditions attached to the Working Holiday visa which may limit the type of work and the employer for whom the applicant may work. Once granted, Working Holiday visa holders can vacation and travel in Canada , explore the diverse country, and engage in temporary work to supplement their travel expenses.
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM VISA REQUIREMENTS
In order to qualify for a Working Holiday visa, applicants must:
* Hold a valid passport from a country which has a reciprocal arrangement with Canada;
* Be aged between 18-35 years of age at the time of the application(depending on the relevant program);
* Be a full-time student in some cases, possess no criminal convictions or serious medical conditions; and
* Have sufficient funds for their intended stay in Canada.
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM VISA ENTITLEMENTS
Once an International Youth Exchange Program visa has been issued, applicants are generally provided with assistance on organizing their trip, job search, assistance and orientation in Canada upon arrival, accommodation arrangement and support. The duration of the visa will usually vary between 1-24 months. Applicants can also pursue language, general interest of self-improvement studies. An International Youth Exchange Program visa is an invaluable opportunity for young people to explore all that Canada has to offer. Applications are accepted on a yearly basis, on a first-come first-served basis. Some Working Holiday visas are issued as a once-in-a lifetime opportunity, while others allow for repeat participation. Temporary work permit holders can extend their stay in Canada by applying for another visa, during their stay.
Travel and Work in Canada
Did you know that if you are between the ages of 18 and 35, you can work legally for up to one year anywhere in Canada? Whether it is to gain valuable international work experience or to finally take that trip of a lifetime you’ve always imagined, why not become one of more than 35,000 young participants from around the world who travel and work in Canada with our program each year?
What is it all about?
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has negotiated agreements with several countries and has partnered with various organizations. Through these agreements and partnerships, international young participants can easily obtain a temporary work permit and gain professional and personal experience in Canada.
You have two options:
Option A) Are you a modern-day adventure-seeker or a seasoned traveller who wants to plan your experience in Canada on your own? Consult the list of participating countries to see if your country of origin has an agreement with Canada.
Country
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Chile
Czech Republic
Denmark
France
Germany
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Korea, Rep.
Latvia
New Zealand
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Option B) In order to gain experience, are you willing to pay a small fee to obtain guidance, assistance and support, either in Canada or in your country? Consult the list of partner countries:
http://www.international.gc.ca/iyp-pij/partner_countries-pays_partenaires.aspx
What is it all about?
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has negotiated agreements with several countries and has partnered with various organizations. Through these agreements and partnerships, international young participants can easily obtain a temporary work permit and gain professional and personal experience in Canada.
You have two options:
Option A) Are you a modern-day adventure-seeker or a seasoned traveller who wants to plan your experience in Canada on your own? Consult the list of participating countries to see if your country of origin has an agreement with Canada.
Country
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Chile
Czech Republic
Denmark
France
Germany
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Korea, Rep.
Latvia
New Zealand
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Option B) In order to gain experience, are you willing to pay a small fee to obtain guidance, assistance and support, either in Canada or in your country? Consult the list of partner countries:
http://www.international.gc.ca/iyp-pij/partner_countries-pays_partenaires.aspx
Canada Immigration Options for People Under Age 30
By: Gianpaolo Panusa
As you probably know, immigration to Canada is restricted to a handful of occupations. One way around this is to acquire experience working in Canada at an appropriate job.
If you are without dependents and under age 30 (and in some cases, even over 30), you may qualify for an international youth exchange that will allow you to work in Canada from 6 months to two years depending on the country you are in.
You can usually work in any occupation you like, however, if you plan on immigrating permanently in the future, it would be crucial to work in a technical or management occupation in NOC A, B or O.
The following countries have youth exchange agreements with Canada:
* Argentina
* Armenia
* Australia
* Austria
* Belarus
* Belgium
* Brazil
* Chile
* Costa Rica
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Dominican Republic
* Finland
* France
* Germany
* Ireland
* Italy
* Japan
* Korea
* Lithuania
* Latvia
* Luxembourg
* Mexico
* Netherlands
* New Zealand
* Norway
* Peru
* Poland
* Russia
* Slovak Republic
* South Africa
* Spain
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* United Kingdom
* United States
There are also exchange programs with various international organizations such as AIESEC and IAESTE and others.
Each program has different qualifications, so check to see if any of these programs work for you.
As you probably know, immigration to Canada is restricted to a handful of occupations. One way around this is to acquire experience working in Canada at an appropriate job.
If you are without dependents and under age 30 (and in some cases, even over 30), you may qualify for an international youth exchange that will allow you to work in Canada from 6 months to two years depending on the country you are in.
You can usually work in any occupation you like, however, if you plan on immigrating permanently in the future, it would be crucial to work in a technical or management occupation in NOC A, B or O.
The following countries have youth exchange agreements with Canada:
* Argentina
* Armenia
* Australia
* Austria
* Belarus
* Belgium
* Brazil
* Chile
* Costa Rica
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Dominican Republic
* Finland
* France
* Germany
* Ireland
* Italy
* Japan
* Korea
* Lithuania
* Latvia
* Luxembourg
* Mexico
* Netherlands
* New Zealand
* Norway
* Peru
* Poland
* Russia
* Slovak Republic
* South Africa
* Spain
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* United Kingdom
* United States
There are also exchange programs with various international organizations such as AIESEC and IAESTE and others.
Each program has different qualifications, so check to see if any of these programs work for you.
Can I apply to immigrate to Canada from USA?
By Fatima-Zahra Fahmi
I am staying in the USA on a visitor visa and I want to know if I can apply to immigrate to Canada from here as I am not willing to go back to my home country.
Answer:
According to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, applications for permanent residence must be submitted to the visa office responsible for:
• The country where the applicant is residing, if the applicant has been lawfully admitted to that country for at least one year; or
• The applicant’s country of nationality, or if the applicant is stateless, their country of habitual residence other than a country where they are residing without having been lawfully admitted.
The applicant is not required to have been residing in the host country for one year at the time of application, but to have been lawfully admitted to that country for a minimum one year period at the time of application.
In the USA, visitor visas are generally issued for a period of six months but can be extended for another 6 months which makes it up to a total of one year.
If you have lawfully entered the USA and you are currently residing there on the basis of a 6 months visitor visa (B2) you would need to apply for an extension to meet the definition of been lawfully admitted for at least one year. If you already applied and were granted an extension, then you will be able to apply for permanent residence to Canada through the Buffalo visa office. You do not need to wait for the completion of the one year before you apply, you can submit your application as soon as you secure an extension. Also, if you lose your legal status after your application is submitted, whether or not your status is restored, you application will still be processed and assessed on its merits.
However, if you are not sure you can get an extension of your visitor status in the USA and the six months has not yet expired, you may consider applying for a temporary resident visa to Canada (Visitor, student or worker) and explore options to apply for permanent residence from within Canada. For a temporary residence visa, the rule of one year does not apply, yet you have to show that you were admitted lawfully.
Please note that this answer only covers the question on where an application can be submitted. A successful application will depend on whether you meet all the immigration requirements for the category you are applying under or not.
I am staying in the USA on a visitor visa and I want to know if I can apply to immigrate to Canada from here as I am not willing to go back to my home country.
Answer:
According to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, applications for permanent residence must be submitted to the visa office responsible for:
• The country where the applicant is residing, if the applicant has been lawfully admitted to that country for at least one year; or
• The applicant’s country of nationality, or if the applicant is stateless, their country of habitual residence other than a country where they are residing without having been lawfully admitted.
The applicant is not required to have been residing in the host country for one year at the time of application, but to have been lawfully admitted to that country for a minimum one year period at the time of application.
In the USA, visitor visas are generally issued for a period of six months but can be extended for another 6 months which makes it up to a total of one year.
If you have lawfully entered the USA and you are currently residing there on the basis of a 6 months visitor visa (B2) you would need to apply for an extension to meet the definition of been lawfully admitted for at least one year. If you already applied and were granted an extension, then you will be able to apply for permanent residence to Canada through the Buffalo visa office. You do not need to wait for the completion of the one year before you apply, you can submit your application as soon as you secure an extension. Also, if you lose your legal status after your application is submitted, whether or not your status is restored, you application will still be processed and assessed on its merits.
However, if you are not sure you can get an extension of your visitor status in the USA and the six months has not yet expired, you may consider applying for a temporary resident visa to Canada (Visitor, student or worker) and explore options to apply for permanent residence from within Canada. For a temporary residence visa, the rule of one year does not apply, yet you have to show that you were admitted lawfully.
Please note that this answer only covers the question on where an application can be submitted. A successful application will depend on whether you meet all the immigration requirements for the category you are applying under or not.
Immigrant talent adds to brewer's bottom line
BY RASHA MOURTADA
Toronto — From Wednesday's Globe and Mail Published on Tuesday, Feb. 09, 2010 4:28PM EST Last updated on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010 10:19AM EST
Adrian Joseph didn't have his certified general accountant designation, but he snagged a key finance job at Steam Whistle Brewing anyway.
The Sri Lanka-born accountant was professionally trained in Europe, and he won a world accountancy prize in Britain. But the lack of a CGA, CMA or CA, standard financial credentials in this country, is enough to cause many Canadian employers to skip right over such a résumé.
Steam Whistle, however, had a different point of view when it was looking to hire a controller eight years ago.
“[Immigrants] have risked everything to build a new life,” Steam Whistle co-founder Greg Taylor says. “They take their jobs very seriously and are very passionate, and at the end of the day that helps your bottom line.”
Since its inception in 1998, Toronto-based Steam Whistle has made inclusive hiring a priority, says Mr. Taylor. And while the practice is clearly good for the community, and adheres to the company's determination to be good corporate citizens, Mr. Taylor insists it has also aided the business. Today, 18 per cent of the company's 115 employees – and half of its management team – hail from other countries, including Sri Lanka, the Czech Republic, Cuba, Portugal and Russia.
At first, Steam Whistle had no choice but to look outside of Canada to fill certain positions. “We wanted a brew master with a master brewing degree,” says Sybil Taylor, Steam Whistle's director of marketing and Mr. Taylor's wife.
“If you're going to [produce] a pilsner that competes internationally, you need to have people capable of bringing that to the table,” agrees Mr. Taylor.
But no such postsecondary education programs exist in North America. In the end, they found a brew master who had received a master's degree in the field in the Czech Republic.
The experience was so positive, the Taylors say, that they saw no reason to limit hiring to candidates with only Canadian training and experience.
That's not to say homegrown talent should be overlooked, Mr. Taylor stresses. But to completely dismiss immigrants – because of foreign credentials or the lack of a Canadian equivalent – is simply bad for business.
For one thing, the work ethic of newcomers is second to none. “New Canadians come here for all the right reasons,” he says. “And that is to work and to take pride in their work. They're excited about the opportunities and they want to afford to live here. They're not taking anything for granted because of all the risks they've taken just to get here.”
For small businesses with limited budgets, hiring immigrants is a way to access top talent at a more reasonable cost. “Brewing is capital-intensive,” Ms. Taylor says. “It took us three years before we even broke even and our reality was that we couldn't afford to pay the top Canadian talent.”
Mr. Taylor gives the example of a marketing executive who wanted a salary of $200,000. “We talked to another guy who doesn't have the Canadian training and he wants half as much, but he has more experience.” This creates an opportunity for small businesses to access talent they could otherwise never afford, he says. “And it's only been created by the ignorance of people who don't value experience from abroad.”
Then there's the benefit of global perspectives and specialties.
“Internationally trained workers know different suppliers, they know different techniques to solve problems,” Ms. Taylor says. “You're just narrowing your information base by not hiring from a broader pool.” In some cases, like with Steam Whistle's brew master, international training provides precisely what the company needs.
That's a point of view with which Toronto-based Ratna Omidvar, president of Maytree, a private foundation dedicated to accelerating the settlement of immigrants and refugees, agrees.
“It's clear that because the world of marketing and technology has changed so much in the last 10 years, the same ideas can't be used to solve new and emerging problems,” she says. “And the more variety you have around the table, the more likely you will come to a new and different place for a solution.”
She backs up her argument by pointing to U.S. studies that show diversity contributes to the bottom line. Companies that don't embrace diversity are missing out on market share in Canada, she says, as well as markets beyond the borders.
Hiring immigrants can also help a business owner understand potential customers better, Mr. Taylor adds. In the case of Steam Whistle, “we're in downtown Toronto. The diverse culture is incredible here and our culture at Steam Whistle reflects that.” Ms. Taylor agrees: “It's reflective of our population here in Canada and so we understand the marketplace.”
The benefits go beyond any one company and extend into the greater community. “It's a way to actively support the country's immigration policy,” Mr. Taylor says.
The benefits may be many, but there are challenges. A lack of recognition of foreign credentials means that even though a candidate has the skills to do the job, additional training or credentials is still required. For example, Steam Whistle funded Mr. Joseph's CGA after hiring him as controller.
“It's an important credential in this country, and so we wanted him to have it,” Mr. Taylor says. It's paid for itself again and again, he adds, and since joining Steam Whistle, Mr. Joseph has been promoted from controller to CFO.
In 2007, Steam Whistle's inclusive hiring was recognized when the company won the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council's Immigrant Success Award for leadership and innovation in recruiting and retaining skilled immigrants.
“We're very proud of that, because it sends a message out that this is doable,” Mr. Taylor says. “Here we are, a successful small business, and the reason our product is so great is because of the hard work and skill of the people we've chosen to hire.”
Toronto — From Wednesday's Globe and Mail Published on Tuesday, Feb. 09, 2010 4:28PM EST Last updated on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010 10:19AM EST
Adrian Joseph didn't have his certified general accountant designation, but he snagged a key finance job at Steam Whistle Brewing anyway.
The Sri Lanka-born accountant was professionally trained in Europe, and he won a world accountancy prize in Britain. But the lack of a CGA, CMA or CA, standard financial credentials in this country, is enough to cause many Canadian employers to skip right over such a résumé.
Steam Whistle, however, had a different point of view when it was looking to hire a controller eight years ago.
“[Immigrants] have risked everything to build a new life,” Steam Whistle co-founder Greg Taylor says. “They take their jobs very seriously and are very passionate, and at the end of the day that helps your bottom line.”
Since its inception in 1998, Toronto-based Steam Whistle has made inclusive hiring a priority, says Mr. Taylor. And while the practice is clearly good for the community, and adheres to the company's determination to be good corporate citizens, Mr. Taylor insists it has also aided the business. Today, 18 per cent of the company's 115 employees – and half of its management team – hail from other countries, including Sri Lanka, the Czech Republic, Cuba, Portugal and Russia.
At first, Steam Whistle had no choice but to look outside of Canada to fill certain positions. “We wanted a brew master with a master brewing degree,” says Sybil Taylor, Steam Whistle's director of marketing and Mr. Taylor's wife.
“If you're going to [produce] a pilsner that competes internationally, you need to have people capable of bringing that to the table,” agrees Mr. Taylor.
But no such postsecondary education programs exist in North America. In the end, they found a brew master who had received a master's degree in the field in the Czech Republic.
The experience was so positive, the Taylors say, that they saw no reason to limit hiring to candidates with only Canadian training and experience.
That's not to say homegrown talent should be overlooked, Mr. Taylor stresses. But to completely dismiss immigrants – because of foreign credentials or the lack of a Canadian equivalent – is simply bad for business.
For one thing, the work ethic of newcomers is second to none. “New Canadians come here for all the right reasons,” he says. “And that is to work and to take pride in their work. They're excited about the opportunities and they want to afford to live here. They're not taking anything for granted because of all the risks they've taken just to get here.”
For small businesses with limited budgets, hiring immigrants is a way to access top talent at a more reasonable cost. “Brewing is capital-intensive,” Ms. Taylor says. “It took us three years before we even broke even and our reality was that we couldn't afford to pay the top Canadian talent.”
Mr. Taylor gives the example of a marketing executive who wanted a salary of $200,000. “We talked to another guy who doesn't have the Canadian training and he wants half as much, but he has more experience.” This creates an opportunity for small businesses to access talent they could otherwise never afford, he says. “And it's only been created by the ignorance of people who don't value experience from abroad.”
Then there's the benefit of global perspectives and specialties.
“Internationally trained workers know different suppliers, they know different techniques to solve problems,” Ms. Taylor says. “You're just narrowing your information base by not hiring from a broader pool.” In some cases, like with Steam Whistle's brew master, international training provides precisely what the company needs.
That's a point of view with which Toronto-based Ratna Omidvar, president of Maytree, a private foundation dedicated to accelerating the settlement of immigrants and refugees, agrees.
“It's clear that because the world of marketing and technology has changed so much in the last 10 years, the same ideas can't be used to solve new and emerging problems,” she says. “And the more variety you have around the table, the more likely you will come to a new and different place for a solution.”
She backs up her argument by pointing to U.S. studies that show diversity contributes to the bottom line. Companies that don't embrace diversity are missing out on market share in Canada, she says, as well as markets beyond the borders.
Hiring immigrants can also help a business owner understand potential customers better, Mr. Taylor adds. In the case of Steam Whistle, “we're in downtown Toronto. The diverse culture is incredible here and our culture at Steam Whistle reflects that.” Ms. Taylor agrees: “It's reflective of our population here in Canada and so we understand the marketplace.”
The benefits go beyond any one company and extend into the greater community. “It's a way to actively support the country's immigration policy,” Mr. Taylor says.
The benefits may be many, but there are challenges. A lack of recognition of foreign credentials means that even though a candidate has the skills to do the job, additional training or credentials is still required. For example, Steam Whistle funded Mr. Joseph's CGA after hiring him as controller.
“It's an important credential in this country, and so we wanted him to have it,” Mr. Taylor says. It's paid for itself again and again, he adds, and since joining Steam Whistle, Mr. Joseph has been promoted from controller to CFO.
In 2007, Steam Whistle's inclusive hiring was recognized when the company won the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council's Immigrant Success Award for leadership and innovation in recruiting and retaining skilled immigrants.
“We're very proud of that, because it sends a message out that this is doable,” Mr. Taylor says. “Here we are, a successful small business, and the reason our product is so great is because of the hard work and skill of the people we've chosen to hire.”
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