Despite our current difficulties, British Columbia faces a decade of huge economic growth and expects to have more than a million new job openings over the next dozen years – mostly in skilled positions. That’s the good news. The challenge? With only 650,000 young people currently in our school system, we are likely to have a significant shortage of newly trained workers available in B.C.’s future labour market. We need more workers. The B.C. and Canadian governments are actively recruiting immigrants as one means to address the labour shortage. But many immigrants who arrive in British Columbia, and particularly those who settle in rural communities, find that employers are reluctant to recognize their overseas credentials and work experience. Newcomers to the Comox Valley and Campbell River report difficulty in obtaining anything but menial jobs, regardless of their qualifications and experience. As a result, many immigrants move away to the urban centers where cultural diversity is accepted. Our communities are losing out on this opportunity to build a diverse, vibrant and viable workforce.

Although immigrants may require orientation to our workplace environment and culture, as an employer you will find it well worth your investment. Employers who have hired immigrants report:

• Many immigrant employees’ training and expertise exceeds Canadian benchmarks.
  
• In our increasingly multicultural communities, immigrants bring language and cultural skills and knowledge. If you want a competitive edge, hire employees who represent and can serve the diverse population of our community.
  
• In our increasingly global marketplace, immigrants have knowledge of international ways of doing business, as well as valuable connections.
  
• Many immigrants will respond to your giving them a chance by being committed, loyal, long-term employees. After investing everything in moving to Canada, they are re-building their lives here.
  

• Immigrants have been screened by Citizenship and Immigration and have passed a high ‘potential for success’ benchmark. They are motivated, adventuresome and confident individuals who have dared to leave their families, friends and homeland to establish a new and successful life in Canada.
  
• Immigrants have made a huge investment moving to Canada and want to be successful. Many have no ‘fall-back’ options and are committed to succeeding through hard work.
  
• Many immigrants come from countries with strong work ethics and long hours of work. They are prepared to work hard.
  
• Immigrants enrich our communities with their diversity. Family members might open an ethnic-based business, parents might offer presentations in schools, and co-workers might bring new ideas to the workplace.
  Don’t let an accent or oversees credentials and experience deter you from hiring a recent immigrant; there is strength in diversity and a great potential for unexpected rewards.