A partnership between the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce and Langley Local Immigration Partnership is bridging the gap between internationally trained professionals and local professionals, helping foreigners integrate into the local workforce while helping local businesses benefit from a diverse talent pool.
They’ve been arranging regular meetings to get people from both groups in one room and talking, explained Ana Marie Panczel, Langley Local Immigration Partnership’s coordinator, Langley Community Services Society.
“This opportunity with the chamber really is a chance for these [international] professionals to showcase what they can do, what they’ve done, what they’re skilled in, and bring an international perspective, that’s not what we’re typically used to,” she enthused.
In a current series of six get-togethers, entitled “Langley’s Workforce Future,” a combination of presentations, speakers, and round-table engagements has been focusing on the obstacles internationally trained professionals face as they attempt to rebuild their professional networks, establish contacts, and re-enter the workforce.
It aims to help newcomers build new professional ties into the Langley business community, explained chamber director Dan Collins, who believes internationally trained professionals are underused.
“No question that it’s an untapped labour force, and it’s skilled labour, as well,” said Collins.
There is, he feels, a misconception at times that newcomers to Canada are just seeking entry level work or are coming in on temporary work arrangements.
“But in fact, there’s lots of newcomers with credentials and talents and skills that may or may not be recognized,” he explained.
“We know that most of us excel when we have an opportunity to connect with colleagues and professional bodies and organizations,” Collins said. “This exercise wasn’t necessarily an effort to help people to secure employment, but to just connect with networks of allied professionals.”
Panczel said the goal is two-fold: One, to educate the local community as to what the capabilities of internationally trained professionals are; and secondly, to also connect the internationally trained professionals with local professionals.
“As you know, here in Canada, it’s not that easy for immigrants to find their career path once again,” Collins noted.
Two more sessions in the series are currently planned.
Thursday, Feb. 6, will focus on women newcomers and women in business.
Then on March 6, the final session in the series will focus on IT, engineering, and logistics.
Attendance is limited.
“We aim for 20 internationally trained professionals and 20 local professionals, just to give them that opportunity to interact more and learn more from each other, because more than anything, it’s an educational process for both parties,” said Panczel, who is grateful for the partnership evolving with the chamber.
Likewise, Collins said the chamber is “quite pleased to be part of the initiative.”
“It just shows the the power when we collaborate as a community, to try and create the kind of change we want to see.”
A recent study found 23 per cent, about one in four, of Langley’s residents are immigrants and newcomers, but just 19 per cent were working in their respective fields.
To find out more about the series, or the new partnership, people can email info@langleychamber.com.
