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Small firms still see internationally educated professionals as more of a risk than an advantage, according to a new study by the Progress Career Planning Institute released Friday.
The study, The Power of Different: The Race to Bridge the Skills Gap in the Toronto Region, found 71% of educated immigrants feel they cannot achieve their professional goals in Canada.
Small business shouldn’t hesitate to hire skilled newcomers to Canada, especially considering immigration will likely account for most labour force growth over the next ten years, experts say.
The trend doesn’t just hurt newcomers, according to Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, it also dulls Canada’s competitive edge.
"The reality is that immigration could account for virtually all labour force growth in Canada within the next decade," Kenney said.
The study found that larger companies have caught on and are more likely to take advantage of a diverse workforce with global reach.
"Internationally educated professionals bring the kind of skill and experience that Canadian companies of all sizes need to compete,” said Silma Hudson Roddau, President of PCPI.
More than 50% of newcomers said they have found work in their chosen field, but not at their level of education. And 30% felt they were overqualified for their current position. Of those interviewed by PCPI, 75% said they had been advised to seek further education to achieve their career goals.
The institute suggests employers take internationally educated professionals on a “test drive” by hiring them on a contract basis to start.
PCPI is a Toronto-based not-for-profit organization that offers employment development services.