Canada – Hiring Newcomers and Immigrants

Unemployment and Economic Implications

Hiring newcomers to Canada offers economic and social benefits such as filling job shortages and gaining a deeper understanding of foreign markets and international customers. The fact that newcomers to Canada face higher unemployment levels than Canadians has economic implications. Lost income is a major problem which also places unemployed immigrants and their families in a vulnerable position. There are economic implications as well, including reduced consumption, higher crime rate, and lower GDP. Another problem is that immigrants who face periods of prolonged unemployment often look for jobs in the informal sector which has an adverse effect on competition. They are also more likely to get poor credit and look for ways to improve it. Moreover, instead of finding employment in sectors where they have the required skills and education, immigrants are less productive while working in the informal sector.

Benefits for Canadian Businesses

One of the main benefits for businesses is that they have access to a broader pool of skilled workers who bring experience, knowledge, and fresh perspectives. Newcomers also help businesses expand to new markets in light of the fact that they have knowledge of different cultures and speak foreign languages. This can also help improve communication and relations with international partners, suppliers, and customers. In addition, hiring newcomers helps enhance the corporate image of businesses, thus giving them a competitive advantage when communicating and negotiating with customers. In fact, a recent U.S. study shows that businesses with an ethnically diverse employee base perform better than those failing to diversify. They are 70 percent more likely to expand to foreign markets and 45 percent more likely to expand and increase their market share. Another study reveals that businesses with an ethnically diverse employee base enjoy improved efficiency and better financial returns. A study at the University of Illinois in Chicago also shows that an increase of ethnic diversity by just 1 percent results in an increase in sales revenue by 9 percent. An explanation for this is that ethnically diverse teams are in a better position to make sound marketing, financial, sales, and investment decisions. Homogenous groups are known for like-mindedness which makes it more difficult to look at things from a different point of view.

Hiring newcomers also helps fill in shortages in sectors that rely on seasonal and temporary workers such as agriculture and construction. This may prove a bit challenging in the current COVID-19 environment. Recent immigrants are often more mobile, flexible, and willing to move to places where there are labor shortages or their skills are in high demand.

Social Benefits

Hiring immigrants also offers social benefits such as helping newcomers make an easier transition and integrate into the fabric of the host society. Prolonged unemployment, on the other hand, leads to an erosion of job-related and social skills and a subsequent isolation of immigrants and the development of closed immigrant communities. Long-term unemployment also results in skepticism about inclusion and integration and the value of training and education. Combined with financial difficulties, this may discourage immigrants from investing in education and training for their children. Low literacy and poor job skills can contribute to generations of immigrants getting trapped in poverty. Prolonged unemployment is also associated with a higher risk of health and mental health problems which results in higher healthcare costs.

How to Hire Qualified Immigrants

There are different ways to go about hiring skilled newcomers, and one is to participate in employment trade shows and job fairs, especially such that target immigrants. Another option is to contact an employment service agency with a focus on immigrant workers and ask for help in finding suitable candidates. A third option is to post job ads in ethnic radios, newspapers, and other media.

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Canadian Job Market – Careers That Have Bright Future in Canada

Canada has a vibrant postindustrial economy with many developed sectors such as lodging, oil and gas extraction, and the services sector. Jobs are in high demand across sectors, including positions such as registered nurse, marketing manager, software developer, and lawyer.

Registered Nurse

Registered nurses in Canada are already in high demand, and the Canadian Nurses Association highlighted the fact that by 2022, the country will experience a severe shortage of 60,000 nurses. The salary ranges from $65,000 to $85,000 but varies across provinces and territories. The average hourly rate in Ottawa, Ontario is $35 while the average rate in Winnipeg, Manitoba is $39.60. Registered nurses are mainly responsible for administering care and implementing care plans, advising patients, and assessing health problems. Canadian universities that offer programs in nursing include the University of New Brunswick, University of Ottawa, University of British Columbia, and University of Calgary.

Software Developer

Software developers are also in high demand, especially in cities such as Calgary, Vancouver, and Toronto. The average salary of developers is about $64,700, and the pay is in the range of $44,000 - $90,000. The main job responsibilities include developing and modifying software, writing code, and testing software. Software developers also fix bugs, deploy systems and programs, and upgrade software.

Lawyers

Since 2010, there has been a significant decrease in law school enrollment, resulting in a shortage of lawyers across different fields, including family, criminal defense, and corporate law. In the near future, attorneys are expected to be in high demand in provinces such as Quebec, Nunavut, Manitoba, and British Columbia while other territories and provinces will face moderate demand. The average salary in Canada is about $73,740, and lawyers are paid between $47,000 and $148,000. Law students specialize in different areas such as labor and employment, tax, commercial, environmental and marine, public administration, and common law. A number of universities in Canada offer law degrees, among which Queen’s University, University of Toronto, Western University, and University of Alberta.

Marketing Manager

Marketing managers are expected to be in demand in Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Nunavut. Managers usually have a degree in communications, public relations, marketing, or economics. Universities and colleges that offer programs in marketing include the University of Winnipeg, Centennial College, York University, and others. The average pay of marketing managers is about $61,750. They are paid between $42,000 and $87,000 a year, depending on location, experience, and employer. The average salary of managers working for the BMO Financial Group is $85,000 while the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce pays $74,000 on average. Managers are responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns and programs, analyzing performance, creating and publishing marketing materials, and supporting lead generation and sales campaigns.

Other jobs that are in demand and have a bright future in Canada include construction manager, teacher, market research analyst, and information security analyst. Information security analysts are needed in Quebec, Nunavut, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia while teachers are in demand in Nunavut, Yukon, Manitoba, and the Northwestern Territories. Cities such as Ottawa and Hamilton-Niagara face shortages of market research analysts while construction managers are expected to be in demand in Ontario, the Northwestern Territories, Manitoba, and New Brunswick.