New tool helps construction connect with immigrant workers


OTTAWAMay 16 /CNW/ - As the traditional construction workforce shrinks, new resources such as the Construction Employer's Roadmap from the Construction Sector Council (CSC) can help industry leaders connect with immigrant workers to meet growing labour needs.
"The industry is growing steadily, but over the next decade, construction will lose a quarter of its workforce thanks to retirements," says CSC Executive Director George Gritziotis, pointing to the organization's latest Construction Looking Forward forecast reports.
"Though a growing labour pool of skilled immigrant workers are available to help replenish the workforce, recruiting and retaining these workers is sometimes a challenge for employers," he says.
Among other things, the new guide book is geared to helping employers and others involved in human resources management navigate government programs, assess foreign credentials, and help immigrant workers put their best foot forward when seeking opportunities to work in construction.
Construction Employer's Roadmap provides employers with information on the role of employment agencies and immigration consultants, and provides an overview of Canada's immigration programs and the different paths open to permanent residents, temporary residents and workers outside of Canada. The roadmap offers advice on how to assess experience obtained in other countries, make job offers, develop orientation programs and retain workers.
Funded by the Foreign Credential Referral Office of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the booklet is available in hard copy and electronically with hyperlinks to other useful resources and websites.
"The Government of Canada is proud to support the work of the Construction Sector Council, as we know that within the next few years, most of Canada's labour force growth will come from immigration," saidJason Kenney, Minister of Immigration, Citizenship and Multiculturalism. "Attracting and retaining the best international talent to address existing and future labour market challenges is critical to our economic success."
"Immigrant workers can bring many benefits to the industry," says Gritziotis, "such as the ability to speak different languages, a knowledge of new cultures, and a network of connections − all of which can help employers to compete in new markets.
"With the proper tools to help them integrate, they will sustain one of Canada's leading industries well into the future."
The CSC is a national industry/government partnership funded by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program. For more information on these and other CSC products and services, visit www.csc-ca.org.

Total complete applications received since June 26, 2010

On June 26, 2010, the eligibility criteria for Federal Skilled Worker applicants changed.
Between June 26, 2010, and June 30, 2011, a maximum of 20,000 complete Federal Skilled Worker applications will be considered for processing. Within the 20,000 cap, a maximum of 1,000 Federal Skilled Worker applications per eligible occupation will be considered for processing within this same time frame.
These limits do not apply to applications with an offer of arranged employment (job offer).
Applications received toward the overall cap: 11,988 of 20,000 as of May 12, 2011

Applications received per eligible occupation:

Eligible Occupation
(by National Occupational Classification [NOC] code)
Number of Complete Applications Received*
0631 Restaurant and Food Service Managers1,000
(Cap reached)**
0811 Primary Production Managers (except Agriculture) 147
1122 Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management1,000
(Cap reached)**
1233 Insurance Adjusters and Claims Examiners347
2121 Biologists and Related Scientists919
2151 Architects800
3111 Specialist Physicians772
3112 General Practitioners and Family Physicians811
3113 Dentists984
3131 Pharmacists1,000
(Cap reached)**
3142 Physiotherapists305
3152 Registered Nurses1,000
(Cap reached)**
3215 Medical Radiation Technologists60
3222 Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists26
3233 Licensed Practical Nurses357
4151 Psychologists169
4152 Social Workers606
6241 Chefs152
6242 Cooks269
7215 Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades165
7216 Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades358
7241 Electricians (except Industrial and Power System)203
7242 Industrial Electricians215
7251 Plumbers56
7265 Welders and Related Machine Operators70
7312 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics53
7371 Crane Operators9
7372 Drillers and Blasters – Surface Mining, Quarrying and Construction23
8222 Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service112

Canada's economy creating more jobs: report

Taken by SimonP in April 2005 Category:I. M. P...Image via Wikipedia
The Canadian economy is not only creating more jobs, but it is also creating better jobs, according to report from CIBC.
Topics : 
CIBCCanada
The bank's employment quality index found that the quality of jobs being created in Canada has improved over the last 12 months, and the measure is now back to pre-recession levels.
Canada was one of the first among advanced countries to come out of the recession in the summer of 2009, and one of the first to see a rebound in employment.
But initially, those jobs tended to be part-time and in lower paying sectors of the service industry.
In the last 12 months, Canada has added an impressive 283,000 jobs. CIBC said the quality of those jobs have also improved, by 2.7 per cent measured against their index.
The bank says there's been an improvement in the number of full-time jobs created over part-time.
There has also been a strong increase in paid employment rather than self-employment.
The the biggest mover of the index, CIBC said, is that new high-paying jobs have outnumbered low-paying jobs by about three-to-one.
The ongoing improvement in employment quality suggests that on average every new job generates more buying power than was the case a year ago, CIBC economist Benjamin Tal said.



Aussies court skilled workers as Alberta labour crunch looms

Calgary, AlbertaImage via WikipediaBY BRYCE FORBES, CALGARY HERALD



With a massive worker shortage looming over Alberta, an Australian job fair in Calgary offered a glimpse of what could be an international battle for labour.
Nine-hundred people crowded into a downtown hotel ballroom Saturday to check out the fair where oil, gas and mining companies tried to woo skilled, senior-level Alberta workers.
The fair, which continues in the city today and next weekend in Edmonton, comes on the heels of a warning from the province’s employment minister that Alberta could face a labour shortage of 77,000 people in the next 10 years.
Rupert Merrick, the organizer of the Opportunities Australia Expo, said Australia is in the midst of its own labour crunch because of booms in the mining and oil and gas sectors.
Calgary was the first Canadian city targeted for the fair because of its skills base.
“Canada, and especially Alberta, is considered world class in terms of the skills that they have and Australian employers are suffering from a skill shortage right now,” said Merrick, who added Saturday’s turnout was twice what they expected.
Richard Truscott, Alberta director of Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said the Australian endeavour is a sign a bidding war for workers is set to heat up in the next 10 to 20 years.
“This is clear evidence that we are in major competition for skilled workers,” said Truscott. “It’s another reminder that we need to get our act together and really carve out some effective strategies to attract and retain workers to Canada from elsewhere.”
Alberta Employment Minister Thomas Lukaszuk said his warning of a 77,000-worker shortage was conservative, based on the province’s low birth rate, rebounding economy and baby boomer retirements.
“(The year) 2011 is the first year in which official baby boomers are turning 65, so we’re looking at a large exodus of workers — not only in numbers, but in experience,” Lukaszuk said Saturday.
He said he is concerned about Australia and other countries coming to Canada and poaching skilled workers.
But, for him, the bigger concern is the whole immigration process and the delays prospective workers face before receiving visas to enter Canada.
“Our national immigration policies are not as nimble as they are in other countries, which would definitely include Australia,” said Lukaszuk.
Merrick said Australia boasts a “very refined immigration system.”
“It’s all about meeting the demands of the employers,” he said. “The government has some very clever mechanisms in place, which allow employers to go out and get the skills that they need.”
Anastasia Reyes, a job applicant who has worked in the oil and gas business in Calgary for five years, said she would fly out to Australia on Monday if offered a job.
“I got to work through the boom here, which opened so many doors of opportunities, so I would love to see what doors would be opened to me somewhere else overseas,” said the 23-year-old after setting up interviews for early this week.
Working toward her civil engineering degree, she said one Australian company said it would help pay for her remaining education as well as guarantee a job afterwards, an offer she hasn’t seen in Calgary.
There are many perks to working in Australia, said Brooke Wilson, recruitment manager with oil refiner Caltex Australia, including comparable wages, a lower cost of living, relocation packages and even surfing. Two of their oil refineries are close to surfing hot spots.
“People in our refinery in Sydney actually go down for a surf in the afternoon,” she said.
bforbes@calgaryherald.com


Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/Aussies+court+skilled+workers+Alberta+labour+crunch+looms/4746480/story.html#ixzz1LrTFDTyh







Saskatchewan leads Canada with lowest unemployment rate in country

For the second straight month, Saskatchewan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was the lowest in Canada.
According to Statistics Canada, the province’s unemployment rate fell to 5.0 per cent in April, down 5.2 per cent from the previous month and 1.2 per cent lower year-over-year.
The national unemployment rate was 7.6 per cent in April.
Although the unemployment numbers dropped, there was a decrease of 1,800 people working full-time in the province from March to April with an increase of 1,800 in part-time jobs.
The Saskatchewan government noted the number of aboriginal youth working in the province jumped by 1,000, an increase of 11.6 per cent.
Rob Norris, Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration, says the lower unemployment numbers, along with recent reports from the Conference Board of Canada and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, point to a bright future for the province.
“Employers in our largest cities and across Saskatchewan are expressing confidence in their future and in the economic future of our province,” said Norris.
“Saskatchewan is and will continue to be the best place in Canada for skilled workers looking for new opportunities.”

Top Countries of choice for Business Investor Immigration

An assortment of United States coins, includin...Image via WikipediaImmigration and residence in a foreign country are most saught by many wealthy investors and business persons including those planning to retire in a foreign country. Unfortunately many are not aware that many Governments abroad encourage and offer a whole lot of significant benefits and incentives to investors and business entrepreneurs, who invest in their country which is why “economic investment programs” are officially adopted by these Governments. This also means that you can legally move, relocate or immigrate to another another country through investment.

The following are quick summary of investment programs available with different countries in Asia, Europe and Carribean.

EUROPE

In Europe, the following are the countries which are widely popular among non-EU and foreign nationals coming from other countries. These countries offer various residence programs for investors against a minimum investment and a residence permit can be obtained.

Austria

The minimum investment needed is EUR 100’000 and it is the cheapest country to gain residence in Europe. No business activity allowed in Austria and confirmation of accomodation such as rental lease and health insurance is the main criteria. Benefits of residence permit include visa free travel to schengen and other 180 countries. Residence permit is issued for one year and then renewed annually.

Switzerland

Switzerland is an attractive destination for wealthy clients who wish to relocate or retire in Europe. Switzerland has a “lump sum” taxation program of a minimum of CHF 150’000 you will given a choice of swiss canton and location to live and granted a swiss residence permit. No employment is allowed. This program is available for retirees, business entrepreneurs and self-employed persons.

Belgium

Belgium is a major international financial center in Europe. To obtain residence in Belgium, you will need to form a new company with office/employees or join an already existing Belgium firm. The minimum investment usually needed about EUR 100’000 along with few additional costs. Belgium is the only country in europe, where it is possible to apply for citizenship after just 3 yrs of residence. Belgium residence permit requires no minimum stay during the year and offers visa free access to borderless schengen countries in europe.

United Kingdom

United Kingdom has an official `Investor Immigration Program` for wealth and high net worth individuals who make a substantial high investment in the economy and development in the United Kingdom. Foreign nationals who are interested to immigrate to UK are required to make a high net worth investment of GBP 1,000,000 (1 million) and getting a UK residence permit is much faster than other countries in about 2 months of time.


Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a EU member country and currently offers a “investor program” for non-EU citizens where upon investing 1 million BGN (approx EUR 530,000), it is possible to get residence permit for 5 yrs. The investment can be placed in a govt guaranteed secure bonds or can be invested in bulgarian business venture.

Bulgaria has low tax rates on corporate and personal income. Bulgaria is likely to join the schengen in the near future.

Latvia

Latvia offers a new residence program for investors and the residence program allows visa free travel in other European and schengen countries. A temporary residence permit can be obtained against a investment of EUR 300,000 in bank term deposit for 5 years of invest appox EUR 100,000 in real estate or by forming a business in Latvia.

Monaco

Monaco is a very popular destination for wealthy millionaires. Getting residence in Monaco is possible against a minimum investment of EUR 1,000,000 (1 million) which has to be invested either with a Monaco bank or in Real estate or with a good mix of both. Monaco is not a EU member country and non-EU persons have to apply through France. There are no income, wealth, gift or capital gains taxes in Monaco and the prices of real estate are very expensive.



ASIA

In Asia, the following countries are widely popular for residence among international foreign investors coming from other countries.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong has low corporate taxes and its a major financial and business centre in Asia. Hong Kong has a “Investor Residence Program” and the minimum investment needed is HK$ 10 million or more (approx US$ 1.2 mill) and this money can be invested in Real Estate or Certificates of Deposit (CD), equities, securities or investment schemes endorsed by HK Immigration Dept.

Singapore

Singapore excels in modern major financial and banking sector in south east Asia. Singapore offers a “Global Investment Program” which encourages overseas investors and business entrepreneurs to make a significant contribution to the economy of the country. The minimum investment needed is SG$ 5 million (approx US$ 4 million) which has to be deposited in a bank or financial institution authorized by Singapore Financial Authority.



CARRIBEAN

The following are the countries in Carribean which are widely popular among non-EU and foreign nationals coming from other countries. These countries offer various residence or even directly “economic citizenship” to those who invest in the development and economy of the country.

St.Kitts and Nevis

St.Kitts and Nevis offers directly “citizenship” to foreign clients and the minimum investment needed is USD 200,000 and there are no residency requirements. The major advantage of gaining St.Kitts Citizenship and passport is it allows visa free travel to schengen and other 180 countries including Europe. Investment in Real estate is also possible with higher amount. No personal visit is needed.

Panama

Panama has a investor program to foreign nationals who invest in the country. The minimum investment is USD 80,000 which has to be invested in agriculture project or USD 300,000 in a real estate or a bank term deposit. A temporary or permanent residence can be obtained under investor, business or pensioner category.

Bahamas

Bahamas is a major offshore “Tax haven” for company formations in the Carribean. Bahamas has “economic investment program” for which a permanent residence is granted foreign nationals who make minimum investment of USD 500’000, in buying purchase a residence (a home or condominim) in Bahamas. The permanent residence grants the investor right to live and work in Bahamas.

Dominica

Dominica offers direct “citizenship” upon investing a non refundable investment of USD$ 75,000 in the economic development of the country. The formalities invoved with the Govt is very strict and the personal interview in Dominica is a must.

Restrictions on Dual citizenship: In the above list, Austria, Monaco, Latvia, Singapore, Hong Kong does not permit dual nationality, which means when you become a citizen, you will need to renounce your previous nationality.





The Northamerica


Canada
Canada has a investor immigration program to foreign nationals who are willing to invest a minimum of CAD$ 800,000 which has to be invested in a government backed term deposit. No interest is paid and financing option is available. Family dependents such as spouse and children under 18 years can be accompanied by the investor. The processing time for application is very lengthy in Canada and it may take about 8-14 months.





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SASKATCHEWAN’S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE STILL THE LOWEST IN CANADA

Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan festival tents...Image via Wikipedia
Saskatchewan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 5.0 per cent is the lowest in Canada for the second straight month – well below the national average of 7.6 per cent.
Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris said the numbers support the Conference Board of Canada’s release earlier this week, which indicate Saskatoon and Regina will have the first and third highest economic growth rates in the country in 2011.
Norris also pointed to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’s April Business Barometer, which shows that small business optimism in Saskatchewan has hit a three-year high. The report notes that 29 per cent of Saskatchewan employers expect to add full-time staff over the next three to four months.
“Employers in our largest cities and across Saskatchewan are expressing confidence in their future and in the economic future of our province,” Norris said. “As a result, Saskatchewan is and will continue to be the best place in Canada for skilled workers looking for new opportunities.”
April also marks nine consecutive months of year-over-year increases in employment for Aboriginal Youth, which jumped by 1,000, or 11.6 per cent.
Norris noted a strong April for www.saskjobs.ca, where Saskatchewan employers posted 11,410 jobs – an 18 per cent year-over-year increase and the largest monthly total since October of 2008.
“With more than 8,000 jobs available right now, I encourage everyone to visit SaskJobs and see the opportunities our province has to offer,” Norris said.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Christopher Jones-Bonk
Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3106
Email: chris.jones-bonk@gov.sk.ca


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