Challenges

• Most companies are not aware of the provisions of the Immigration Act that would allow for the nomination and entry of skilled workers.
• General entry rules for immigrants do not correspond to the skills requirements of manufacturers – especially for skilled and experienced trades people who often lack formal academic credentials.
• Approval processes for new immigrants, as well as for visas for individuals traveling to Canada for business purposes, are too long and complex.
• The delays experienced in processing entry applications to Canada mean that Canadian industry is losing skilled workers to countries like Australia and the United States, where procedures tend to be more streamlined.
• New immigrants often lack the linguistic and cultural skills to integrate easily into the Canadian workforce.
• The skills and work experience of immigrants are often difficult to assess, while their integration into the workforce is delayed and frequently impeded by the need to obtain Canadian accreditation and work references.
• Communities outside major urban centres in Canada find it difficult to attract and retain immigrant workers.
• It is difficult to match the skills available within the pool of new immigrants to the actual requirements of companies. There is little attention given in the immigration selection process to matching skills with employment requirements.
• Although many facilities are available for helping immigrants integrate better into the workforce, many are not aware of them – and some have reservations about the system, especially where there is a language barrier.

Recommendations for Action

Manufacturers must continue to look to recent immigrants – both skilled and unskilled – as an employable resource.

Immigration Canada must ensure that the qualifications for immigrants provide for the entry of skilled trades people as well as those with academic and professional qualifications.

Manufacturers must work with Immigration Canada to take better advantage of entry provisions for skilled immigrants with offers of employment.

Immigration Canada must target immigrants with the technical and trades skills required by Canadian manufacturers. In turn, manufacturers and provincial governments must ensure that data collected on skills requirements and labour shortages are communicated more efficiently and effectively to immigration officials.