Visible minorities making transitions

José AGGREY, Joanne JOHN, Jacqueline LAWRENCE
Policy, Research and Analysis Group
BRODTOS International Inc.

In this study, we identified a number of barriers faced by members of visible minorities who are attempting to make a transition into employment; assessed the government sponsored training programs designed to facilitate transition; and examined strategies, other than training, for entering the workplace. The study also contains recommendations for changing the situation and numerous illustrations of the relation between the education levels of visible minorities and their rates of transition into employment.

Among the most significant findings of this study is that although many members of visible minority groups are highly qualified, they have difficulty making the transition into employment. Systemic discrimination is a major cause of this situation. Inadequate mechanisms for assessing credentials earned in other countries is also a barrier, as is lack of proficiency in French and English.

The study describes a number of cases that reflect the effort of community organizations to respond to the situation by providing training programs. Assessment of these programs revealed that when skill development was approached in a holistic manner, participants benefited from the training. The duration of the programs and the fact that participants were required to be UI recipients were seen as severe limitations.

Some case studies revealed that members of visible minorities found that volunteering was a successful method of entering the labour force.

This study's major recommendation concerns the removal of systemic barriers through education and legislation to facilitate the access of members of visible minorities to both training programs and to the workforce.

Getting a new job in 1989-90 in Canada

René MORRISSETTE

The analysis of the Labour Market Activity Survey contained in this report is discussed in detail in chapter 2 under People making transitions.