Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC)
Transcription
Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC)
Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC) Collective Impact Case Study: Immigrant Collaborative in Alberta Edmonton Radisson South Doug Piquette ERIEC October 9th, 2013 ERIEC: The Story of Local Leadership “A lot of things we take for granted, professionally and culturally. I don’t think I understood the extent of the differences even with my own staff. Vivian opened my eyes to the simple things we just don’t think about.” - Annette Bilawchuk CMP Mentor, TELUS “I didn’t know what Canadian employers were looking for. I just gave the answers I thought I should say. Now I know more how the Canadian people are thinking and what they want in a professional.” – Fen Li, Engineer, Mentee ERIEC Organizational History: • • Pre-Feasibility Phase (2007) Interim Planning Phase (2008) • Organizational Foundation Phase (2008/2009) • Implementation Phase (2009) Pre-Feasibility Phase: Who were the local leaders? • • • • • • Alberta Employment & Immigration (AEI) City of Edmonton Dell Canada Edmonton Community Foundation Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) CHIP Hospitality Pre-Feasibility Phase: Next Steps… 1. Could an Immigrant Employment Council concept be successfully established in the city? 2. What will be the design, governance structure and service delivery model for Edmonton? 3. Can we recommend an implementation process? RESULT: Stakeholder groups agree that ERIEC is needed, feasible and should be implemented (2007) Community Stakeholders and Leaders (2007-2008): • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Alberta Employment & Immigration Edmonton Social Planning Council Citizenship & Immigration Canada ALLIES/Maytree Foundation Edmonton Mennonite Center City of Edmonton Colt Engineering Enbridge Pipelines Inc CoSyn Technology Multicultural Coalition EEDC NorQuest College Edmonton Community Foundation Royal Bank of Canada Interim Planning Phase (2008): • • • • • • Build common fact base (key messages) Gather key stakeholders Establish structure - Board, Council, Staff Secure funding Identify Host Organization Identify and recommend initial action idea - “Low Hanging Fruit” Organizational Foundation Phase (2008/2009): • ERIEC Board Set Up (Incorporation in April 2008) • Executive Director Hired (October 2008) • Organizational Foundation Phase: - Strategic Direction - Confirm Operational Funding - Office set-up - Environmental Scan/Working Committee - Staff - Set Priorities for Implementation Phase • ERIEC Organizational Launch (2009) • Career Mentorship Program Launch (2009) ERIEC - Our Vision: “Immigrants are welcomed and participate in the economy at the level of their full potential” ERIEC as a Catalyst KEY STAKEHOLDER GROUPS • Skilled Immigrants • Corporate Partners • Immigrant Service Providers (ISP) Skilled Immigrants Corporate Partners ISPs ERIEC Our Programs: • The Career Mentorship Program • Speed Career Networking/Smart Connections • Annual Global Talent Conference Other Initiatives: • Annual Business Leaders Breakfast • ITW Employer Engagement Study (2012) • PLAR/Mentorship Study (2011) • EMCN - RISE Employer Awards Collaboration (4 years) ERIEC’s Outcomes to date: • Over 200 mentor/mentee Career Mentorship matches in the Edmonton Region • Over 400 mentor/mentee participants in Speed Career Networking/Smart Connection events • Over 400 mentor/mentee participants at 3 Annual Global Talent Conference ERIEC: Key Ingredients for Success Local: • Strategic planning approach and rigor • Development of key partnerships - allowed for greater influence and synergies • Diverse Board Representation - varied backgrounds and different businesses perspectives • Working Collaborations - EMCN’s Employer Rise Awards to promote the recognition of employers who have benefited by hiring skilled immigrants • Creating an effective and relevant Career Mentorship Program • Increasing the awareness of the “business case” for hiring skilled immigrants • Continued funding support from Federal and Provincial government programs • Dedicated staff • Media and awareness of the value of hiring skilled immigrants. External: IEC support from ALLIES/Maytree (2007) • TRIEC Model • hireimmigrants.ca • SME Research Project • Coaching • Information sharing, best practices and learning hub • Project tools • National Executive Director Sessions • Annual Learning Exchanges ERIEC: Creating Change - “Nuts and Bolts” of Building Partnerships Nuts and Bolts to Creating Change: • • • • • • • Employer engagement/local employer champions Ability to draw stakeholders to the table A model that is adaptable to local circumstances Maintain focus on ‘mission’ Strong local leadership Share and learn with stakeholders and peers Actionable ideas ERIEC: Understanding your Impact on the Community Mentees/Employees: • Potentialize their professional talents • Anchor newcomers into the community • Better equipped to integrate and thrive in the Canadian work environment • Increase their ‘social capital’ and professional networks Mentors/Employers: • Access to an underutilized ‘global talent pool’ in Edmonton • Building internal leadership and intercultural competencies • No cost, soft recruitment possibilities ERIEC: Giving a Voice to Newcomers in Edmonton ERIEC Programming: • Creating ‘real time’ opportunities for employers and employees Marketing and Communications: • Program Outreach/Promotions • Presentations • Social Media ERIEC: Changing the Conversation in Edmonton ERIEC: Challenges Faced and Lessons Learned Challenges/Opportunties: • Limited financial and human resources to support program growth • Ensuring there is a good return on investment • Ensuring that we are meeting the needs of employers • Engaging employers who have many demands on their time Challenges/Opportunties: • Need for a strong media profile (i.e. Marketing/Communications/Social Media Marketing strategy) • ERIEC operates in an multi-stakeholder environment (+/-) • Follow-up with program graduates to recruit them as future mentors “Relationships are always a two-way street. You always learn from another person. Mustafa, for example, offered many Turkish experiences and perspectives, highlighting differences in our cultures. If I have a Turkish client in the future, I will be better prepared to talk to that person.” -Ishpreet Lamba, Aramark Corporation Contact: Doug Piquette [email protected] 780-497-8866 Follow us on Twitter: @eriec_edmonton Join our group on LinkedIn! Thank you!