2. Round Table:
Labour barriers and Education
• Young Professionals and Skilled Workers
Association (YPSWA):
Not-for-profit, Federally registered and
community-based organization which offers
young professionals, skilled workers and
apprentices to network, socialize and expand
their professional horizons
YPSWA has a strong component of advocacy
of youth issues as part of its mandate
•
2
3. Round Table:
Labour Barriers and Education
• Sticky Floor: forces that keep women,
immigrants, minorities and Aboriginals
stuck at the bottom of the economic
pyramid
•
Affects low ranking staff and their ability
to springboard their careers from the
lowest position in a company to the
middle management
3
4. Round Table:
Labour Barriers and Education
• Mid-level bottleneck: stage in-between
“sticky floor” and “glass ceiling” and
affects jobs at middle management
ranks
•
This stage can potentially “make or
break” a person and launch him/her on
the path to the top of the career ladder
4
5. Round Table:
Labour Barriers and Education
• Glass Ceiling: barrier that limits career
advancement of women, immigrants,
minorities and Aboriginals
•
Affects high ranking women or immigrants
and their ability to breakthrough an
invisible divide that separates CEO,
executive positions and members of the
board from the rest of employees
5
6. Round Table:
Labour Barriers and Education
• Hierarchy of Labour Challenges:
6
7. Round Table:
Labour Barriers and Education
• Hierarchy of Labour Challenges:
7
8. Round Table:
Labour Barriers and Education
• Labour barriers:
Source of inequality and discrimination in the
workplace
Do not affect Canadian-born white males.
They are promoted faster than women, minorities and
Aboriginals, even though they have the same or lesser
qualifications
Not all causes for such situation are accounted for at
this point, more research is needed
–
8
9. Round Table:
Labour Barriers and Education
• It is a wide-spread
belief that the
longer immigrants
are in Canada, the
less likely they are
to face labour
challenges, but it
not always the case
9
10. Round Table:
Labour Barriers and Education
• Labour barriers affect immigrants, even many years
after their arrival to Canada:
On average, for Canadian-born employees it takes
14 years for the “learning curve” to pick up
For immigrants the learning curve may take even
longer
The gap between Canadian-born and immigrants is
very persistent, even after 15 years the effects of the
labour gap are still felt on immigrants
–
10
11. Round Table:
Labour Barriers and Education
àOur data is not exhaustive and more research
is needed to gather data related to the
Russian-Canadian community regarding
employment statistics and opportunities
àWe are looking forward to continue working
with our community members on this and
other related projects which will ultimately
benefit all of the stakeholders
11
12. Round Table:
Labour Barriers and Education
• Providence Group:
àFree consultations for international students
from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other
countries
à
Participated with YPSWA in conducting
research about the above mentioned Labour
Barriers
12
13. Round Table:
Labour Barriers and Education
• Education is an important
“game-changer”
• Most immigrants are highly
educated
• But labour challenges
persist for immigrants,
Why?
• Wrong education?
13
14. Round Table:
Labour Barriers and Education
• In 2007, most of employment for immigrants with
education was in transportation (+19,000 jobs) and
accommodation and food services (+15,000 jobs),
whereas Canadians made jobs in public
administration, scientific and technical services,
finance, insurance and real estate
For Canadians, the vast majority of employment
growth was among those with a postsecondary
certificate of diploma
Canadians consider college based education just as
good as university based education, which is not the
case with the Eastern European communities due to
cultural factors
14
16. Round Table:
Labour Barriers and Education
Ontario colleges offer the best programs
that allow people to study as well as work
placements, paid internships, coops, etc.
– Colleges offer Canadian education and
experience sought by Canadian employers
–
24 colleges and over 200 professions and
diploma programs
16
17. Round Table:
Labour Barriers and Education
• Ontario colleges also have superb international
programs for international students or
relatives still living in Russia…
àNo language requirements
àSome people from Russia don’t know if they want
to immigrate to Canada and face settlement
challenges that include labour challenges
à So they come here to study or to visit first
à Once Canadian education is acquired, they have
better chances of overcoming labour challenges
17
18. Round Table:
Labour Barriers and Education
• Visa issuence facts:
–
•
October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012
18
19. Round Table:
Labour Barriers and Education
•
•
•
•
• Russian Canadian Chamber of Commerce
– Alexander Tsygankov
–
19
20. Round Table:
Labour Barriers and Education
•
•
•
•
•
• Organizational Committee for Celebration of
the 400th Anniversary of Romanov Dynasty
– Irina Muhina
– 20
21. succ ess!
Cristal ball of future in Canad a!Aboriginal
people
“ diversified “competition”
Career latter network”
Addition education - $$$
Woman Ph. D Life decisions ….
Head-hunters
“Glass celling” “ Over qualify”
23. Seven don’t in ever-changing market
• Don’t stick to your old/one field. Find a new opportunity where you have
some expertize from the past and desire to learn more.
• Don’t take a course just to get a certificate, take it to improve your skill’s
set and so to develop yourself
• Don’t pretend during an interview be yourself however expect to adapt or
customize your resume, story and behavior to each occasion
• Don’t go to entry level position such as it may be “ a sticky floor ”
• Don’t try to compete with “local experts” choose other areas otherwise
it may create “ a glass celling” for your next move
• Don’t expect people to fully appreciate your background not to be viewed
as “overqualified” however be ready to transform yourself by being
open-minded, ask for an advise and do a lot of home-work
• Don’t hesitate to volunteer, to go to social events or meeting new people .
This is only way you could build network, reputation which will open a
door for your next advantage
24. Russian Community in Ontario
• Growing wave of immigration which started after USSR
collapsed
• Large population of well educated people with long history of
first and second waves of immigration
• In most cases solid analytical or technical background
• High expectation for a good education for kids
• Hard working people with a desire to learn
• Art, literature and theater culture which is recognized
• Welcoming and ready to share their knowledge, expertize
with other people
•
25. Russian Canadian Cultural Aid Society
Achievements
• The RCCAS was established in 1950 and is celebrating its 60 th anniversary this year. The RCCAS is well
respected and has a long standing reputation and history representing the Russian Community in Canada.
• We have an enthusiastic reputable Board of Directors willing to volunteer their time and energy for the good of
the community.
• We have agreed on a common goal of establishing our own Russian-Canadian Cultural Community Centre to
serve our community and preserve our Russian Culture & Heritage.
•
• The RCCAS currently runs 4-5 very successful yearly events supported by our community.
•
• We have many successful Russian-Canadian businessmen & businesswomen in our community.
• We have a growing Russian speaking community that is ready to support our Mission of preserving our Russian
Culture and Heritage in Canada.
• We have strong supportive churches behind us.
•
•
26. Round Table:
Labour Barriers and Education
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• MPP for Trinity-Spadina Rosario Marchese
– 26
27. Round Table:
Labour Barriers and Education
•
•
•
• Thank you for coming!!!
–
27
