Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology will welcome delegates and make remarks at MOSAIC’sImmigrant Professionals Conference on September 29th. Minister Ralston will speak about the critical role new immigrants play in B.C.’s economic and cultural diversity, and will outline the province’s increased services and supports that help newcomers find jobs and settle in B.C. communities. It is well-known that the majority of newcomers face under-employment in their first few years after arrival, with some never achieving an employment status commensurate with their qualifications. This isdespite the fact that economic-class immigrants are admitted to Canada because of their skills and experience, and have higher levels of education compared to the overall Canadian population. The conference this year takes place on September 29th, and its theme – Innovate Yourself! Strategies for the new world of work – was guided by a 2018 BC Labour Market Outlookrecommendation that training should ensure workers have relevant skills and competencies that “make them resilient as jobs evolve and as yet-unheard-of roles come into existence.” The report suggests that job seekers require opportunities to “build and expand their personal skills and competencies, which will allow them to succeed and to be adaptable moving into the future.”
