According to ‘Employer Attitudes Towards Hiring Newcomers and International Students in the Atlantic Provinces,’ a report published by the Harris Center at Memorial University in Newfoundland. It found out that many employers face difficulties hiring immigrants since they are not receiving enough applications with the necessary skills and interests.
The report based upon employer’s attitudes and perceptions, investigated and analysed well to better understand the difficulties that come with newcomer integration in Atlantic Canada’s labor market.
Atlantic Canada is the four easternmost provinces in Canada, which are:
Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
Almost 50% of the employers in Atlantic Canada who receive applications from immigrants and international students, hire them.
Additionally, when surveyed, 88 percent of the employers had a positive experience working with an immigrant. They stated that the immigrants have a positive impression on the immigrants was because they were hardworking, reliable, and skilled.
It is evident that employers in Atlantic Canada are interested to hire immigrants. Yet the provinces face a challenge to retain immigrants in this region.
Low immigration rates in Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada is amidst a population crisis. The region is facing a downfall in fertility rates and an aging population. Additionally, a lot of international students who come to study in this region end up leaving in search of better job opportunities and aspirations.
The very reason people leaving this region is- unemployment. Therefore, governments, employers, and learning institutions have been creating developing strategies that attract and retain more immigrants, foreign students, and migrated workers in the region.
A decade ago in 2010, this region had welcomed about 3 percent of immigrants to Canada, although its population is 6.5 percent of Canada’s. In 2016 the increase was at 5 percent. In 2017 an additional tool for immigration was launched known as the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP). Since then the immigration is increasing considerably. In 2018 there was an increase of 22 percent and in 2019 there was an increase of 26 percent.
Even with all of this, Atlantic Canada has the lowest immigration and retention rates in Canada. Immigrants mostly aim for larger cities, like Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal.
How can Atlantic Canada retain immigrants?
The study made a few suggestions for the immigrants and international students to meld in the regional labour markets.
Out of the many recommendations suggested, one of them is to bring immigration policies into the area. There is a need for employment but a lack of applicants. The only way is to make immigration policies so compatible that it fulfills all labour needs.
Another way to make communication easier is by indulging intercultural training among immigrants at work. This aspect adds an answer to the employer’s questions about language proficiency, workplace and, cultural differences.
With this, we move on to another study recommendation and that is the change in workplaces. Studies have shown that change in workplace practices helps immigrants and improves retention.
Immigrant retention rates have been improving in the region. The immigration department of Canada sought improvement, earlier this year.
