Canada is giving Canadian employers access to a new pool of talent to help skilled refugees to build their career in Canada
On Tuesday, the IRCC announced new funding for partner organizations to help expand Canada’s Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) to more skilled refugees. For the next few years, Canada’s target is to welcome 2,000 skilled refugees to fill specific labour shortages in high-demand sectors, such as health care, skilled trades and information technology.
EMPP
The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) helps skilled refugees immigrate to Canada through existing economic programs as well as gives employers access to a new pool of qualified candidates to fill job openings. Through the EMPP, partner organizations help skilled refugees overseas connect with employers who need to fill critical labour shortages in occupations like nurse aides and personal support workers, chefs and cooks, and skilled tradespeople.
Employers have access to a new pool of talent
To simplify the application process for qualified candidates, the intrusted partners – including Talent Beyond Boundaries, TalentLift and Jumpstart Refugee Talent – will be able to directly refer and support candidates. All partners will receive mandatory training and go through quality assurance reviews.
In addition, Canada is providing $6.2 million to support 6 projects by EMPP partner organizations. These projects will build the capacity of these organizations in key areas, including identifying qualified candidates overseas, and supporting candidates and employers throughout the interview, hiring, and immigration processes. Funding will also support the work of a partner organization that helps EMPP newcomers with affordable microloans.
Canada is an international leader in refugee resettlement and integration, having resettled more refugees than any other country in the world last year. In light of the worst global refugee crisis in recent history, Canada continues to take action to address the issue.
