Quebec’s pilot program to fly skilled immigrants to meet with employers is starting to pay off
By: ADMIN 2018-12-22
A recent pilot program that connects skilled immigrants with employers in Quebec’s outlying
regions is turning beneficial for companies in the mining city of Val d’Or. An initiative of
Quebec’s federation of chambers of commerce (FCCQ) with funding from the provincial
government, the pilot addresses labour shortages in eight regions.
The pilot, organizes job fairs with local companies in need of workers and charters travel for job-seeking immigrants to meet with them. It’s recent success in Val d’Or, a city of over 33,000, is an example of the pilot’s growing success.
A brief overview:-Groups of around 25 skilled newcomers, many with potential job offers, are flown to Val d’Or aboard a chartered flight.
-Upon landing, they are met by members of the local chamber of commerce and given a bus tour of the city to see its sites and get a feel for the quality of life that Val d’Or offers.
-The job-seekers are then split into smaller groups to visit some of the city’s main employers and then meet with recruiters to discuss employment possibilities.
-The interaction that the trip provides with locals is seen as key and serves to break down barriers that can prevent a newcomer from feeling welcome and wanting to stay.
It has been cited as an ‘An exceptional initiative’ in an interview with Radio-Canada.
Stéphane Ferron, President of the Val d’Or Chamber of Commerce, said his city was one of the first to implement the Government of Quebec-funded pilot project.
This program is an absolute winner as it allows people to see the place where they’re being recruited and adequately improves and increases the chances of their integration and retention in the workforce.
Following this a number of families have moved up there after finding work. Retaining and finding jobs for all 25 is ideal but even if a few could be made to stay back and settle, their future generations might help mitigate the shortage and become future ambassadors for for Val d’Or.