Lost in Translation

Canada opens its door to more than 100,000 immigrants every year with various types of categories, these categories include: Parents, Grandparents, Students, Visitors, Work permits, Refugee and High skilled immigrants. Moving from a different country and starting a new life is always a transition process. However, for many, the major hurdles they have to face are the expensive exams and credential evaluations.

In watching the news for the week of November 14 – 18^th (Global TV BC) focused on the topic lost in translation. The series showed how highly skilled immigrants come to Canada and work survival jobs to produce income for their family. Many of them are doctors, lawyers, teachers, nurses and other professional occupations. The series also discussed the different expenses (i.e.) Exams, licensing, upgrading that an immigrant has to go through in order to practice the same occupation in Canada.

The situation might be challenging, but not impossible to overcome. Being an Immigrant myself, I have seen both the sides of the coin and have been through the transition period, but did not give-up. The dream of having a better life brings new immigrants to this country and determination is what allows them to achieve their goals and persistence is the key.

To seek help with the transition process, the Government of BC introduced the Skills Connect Program for newly landed Immigrants. This employment support program can help immigrants seek counsel and guidance during the transition period. Part of the Skills Connect program is helping immigrant job seekers acquire current labour market information and the different licensing procedure that some of the occupations have to go through (Doctors, Nurses, Lawyers, Teachers etc.)

Skills Connect provides immigrants with the resources, support, and expertise they require to attain their career goal in BC. Skills Connect assists immigrants to access employment opportunities in all industry sectors in BC.

In the past, we had many clients successfully find communesrate employment in their field. Skills Connect has guided people with different licensing process and other information in a timely manner. A perfect example includes a dentist from Nicaragua that to date has been successful in finding job in a Dental Lab as a Lab assistant. What significantly increased her chances was volunteering in a local dentist’s office when she came across this position. She mentioned that working as a volunteer really helped her in the current job that she is in as she gained Canadian work experience. I often recommend volunteering to clients as it can provide you with a Canadian reference and also learn the different work culture in Canada.

The aforementioned example is one that should provide levity as this is only one small example of someone that has found work within 2 months of immigrating to Canada. To date, the client is still in the process of being a Dentist in Canada, but she has found aligned work in her field so she can have some hands on experience before she can write her challenge exams.

Kindly contact your nearest Skills Connect office for more information and help. Or visit www.govolunteer.ca if you are looking for volunteer opportunities in your field of work.