Ontario Employer Initiative to Improve Integration of Foreign-Trained Workers

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC)'s Global Experience @ Work initiative consists of seven local community projects to engage employers in the integration of internationally-trained professionals and tradespeople.

Managed by over 80 community organizations and 9 local Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade, these projects will grant newcomers access to direct placements as well as mentorship and internship opportunities.

Ontario employers will benefit from seminars, toolkits, and diversity and cross-cultural training. Additional initiatives will focus on increasing immigrant understanding about employment integration in Ontario prior to arrival.

Part of the OCC's strategy is to promote Ontario as a destination of choice for career, business, and investment prospects. The Global Experience @ Work initiative supports this mandate as it helps Ontario employers connect with immigrants. "Since each [project] was conceived by local community organizations, including business groups, employment agencies, training boards and colleges, and agencies serving immigrants, they've been designed to meet the specific needs of those regions," explains Len Crispino, President and CEO of the OCC. The local projects will take place in Markham, Brampton, Ottawa, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, St. Catharines, Richmond Hill, and Sudbury.