The Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) convenes partners to create solutions for integrating skilled immigrants into the Greater Toronto labor market through programs that work with individuals, organizations, governments, and Professional Immigrant Networks (PINs) to help immigrants connect to employment opportunities and develop professional skills and networks. TRIEC provides resources for PINs, employers, agencies, and immigrants including workshops, videos, guides, and an e-learning platform to build cultural competence and facilitate hiring and integrating skilled immigrants.

1. TRIEC Toolkit: Innovative Tools and Programs for Immigrant Employment2011 OCASI Professional Development Conference20 June 2011Racquel Sevilla and Rose DeVeyra, TRIEC

2. Agenda

3. Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) Convene, catalyze, collaborateMission: To create & champion solutions to better integrate skilled immigrants in the Greater Toronto Region labour market.

4. What does TRIEC do?To convene and collaborate with partners, creating opportunities for skilled immigrants to connect to the local labour market. [individual]To work with key stakeholders, particularly employers, building their awareness and capacity to better integrate skilled immigrants into the workforce. [organizational]To work with all levels of government, enhancing coordination and effecting more responsive policy and programs for skilled immigrant employment. [systemic]

5. Programs Developed by TRIEC

6. Why is TRIEC engaging with Professional Immigrant Networks (PINs)?Another practical means by which immigrants integrate into the labour market more quickly, in the right jobsTRIEC’s stakeholders expressed the need to connect more systematically to PINs to:Channel informationOffer services and supportsRecruit for employmentExpand marketsIncrease membership

7. What are PINs?Organized, volunteer-run groups created by and for internationally-educated and experienced professionals who seek to:Create a forum to contribute to and enrich their respective communitiesCultivate social capitalFind meaningful employment, primarily in their areas of professional practiceSharpen their skills setKeep abreast with current trends and changes in their respective sectors

8. Increasing the Capacity of PINsGoal of the PINs Initiative:To work collaboratively with professional immigrant networks to increase their capacity to connect their skilled immigrant members to employment

9. Benefits of connecting with PINs(Job Seekers)Develop professional relationships & networks in your fieldConnections to employment opportunities

10. Benefits of connecting with PINs (Job Seekers)Mentoring opportunitiesFormal / informal, individual / groupProfessional developmentTechnical skills, soft skills Volunteering opportunitiesSupport in the licensing processAccess to information

11. Benefits of connecting with PINs (Employers)Recruitment - largely untapped talent poolJob postingsInfo sessions Become a PINs PartnerTrainingMentoringSponsorshipsToursStaff volunteer opportunities

12. Benefits of connecting with PINs (Agencies)Referrals for your job-seeking clients Outreach to new clients Recruit potential mentors or speakersHow? Some examples:Participate at a PINs eventInvite PINs to speak to your clientsOffer space at your location

13. PINs Resourceswww.settlement.org/immigrantnetworks List of 50+ groups run by and for internationally-trained professionals with an online presencewww.triec.ca/programs/ImmigrantNetworks Background on the PINs initiative, PINs video, event highlights and resources, facts and stat

14. Video Resources For Employers, Agencies and New ImmigrantsFinding TalentIntegrating TalentCross-cultural Teamworkhttp://www.hireimmigrants.ca

15. Discussion Guides and Additional ResourcesFor Employers and AgenciesVideo Discussion Guides:Finding TalentIntegrating Talenthttp://www.hireimmigrants.ca/tools/4Workshop Resources and Facilitation GuideFinding TalentIntegrating TalentAchieving Success in the Canadian Workplacehttp://www.triec.ca/programs/WorkIntegration

16. Workshops For EmployersHow-to HR: Recruitment and Selection – Full-day WorkshopImpact of cultural biases when sourcing candidates, conducting resume and telephone screening, and interviewingStrategies to identify and address immigrant employment barriersIntegrating Talent – 3 Half-day workshopsCross-cultural Connections and TeamworkOrientation and Onboarding for Culturally Inclusive WorkplacesManaging Performance Across Cultures

17. Arriving Summer 2011For Employers and Delivery PartnersWorkshop: Achieving Success in the Canadian Workplace – First 90 Days and BeyondWorkshop Resources Discussion guideTrain the trainerVideo Discussion Guides Finding Talent and Integrating Talent - New Immigrant perspectiveCross-cultural Teamwork – Employer and New Immigrant perspectives

18. Arriving Summer 2011For Employers and Delivery PartnersE-learning PlatformProfessional development resourcesBuild Cultural-competenceWeb-based, learn at your own paceFree Train the TrainerDeliver our half-day workshops to your organizationCustomizable workshop facilitation resources

19. Questions?

20. Contact TRIECWebsite: http://www.triec.ca Sign up for:Mailing list – Notification when learning tools become availableTRIEC E-lert Subscription