The Integration of Immigrants into the Newfoundland and Labrador Workforce: Final Report

• Main Authors: Coombs-Thorne, Heidi, Warren, Mark
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: The Association for New Canadians Newfoundland and Labrador 2007
• Subjects: Newfoundland; Canada
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/9694/; https://research.library.mun.ca/9694/1/FCR_CARE_Research_Project.pdf; http://www.ancnl.ca/userfiles/files/FCR%20CARE%20Research%20Project.pdf

With increased labour shortages in a number of employment sectors, the issue of immigrant retention and integration into the Newfoundland and Labrador labour market has gained increased significance. The province has a steady stream of immigrants arriving every year and the number of international students, in particular, has almost doubled since 1999. Still, the province is often unable to fully benefit from the resources of internationally trained individuals because of barriers to labour market integration. In an attempt to address some of the barriers to greater immigrant employment across the country, on 25 April 2005 the Government of Canada launched the Internationally Trained Workers Initiative, an integrated, comprehensive strategy in which over fourteen (14) federal departments work together to address employment barriers for internationally trained workers.i One of the key components of the initiative is the Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) program, aimed at facilitating the assessment and recognition of foreign qualifications for both regulated and non-regulated occupations.ii This study is a part of the FCR program, albeit with a somewhat larger scope that encompasses a variety of issues surrounding the integration of immigrants into the Newfoundland and Labrador labour market. The study also builds on the new provincial immigration strategy, Diversity – Opportunity and Growth: An Immigration Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador, by providing suggestions and recommendations for higher retention numbers and better workforce integration of immigrants.