IPSO Alumni Profile: Han Meng

Connected with employer pre-arrival, hired post arrival

Han Meng, a software developer from Beijing, participated in the IPSO project from April to August 2010.  He thought it was a good idea as he wanted to become prepared to work in Canada. He thought, “In IPSO I would learn the English skills for work, the workplace culture and the skills of finding a job.”

Han found the training quite a lot of work, especially as he was busy getting ready to move to Canada. However, he found the skills of writing resumes and cover letters, the knowledge of Canadian workplace culture and the strategies of self-marketing, were most useful.

One of the many benefits IPSO provides participants is potential connections to employers via the Skills International website.  IPSO participants create a professional profile on the Skills International website outlining their employment history, competencies, and skills.  They can also upload relevant documents such as resumes, credential assessments, and English proficency scores. Employers that use the Skills International website can search for matches to meet their hiring needs.  While Han was participating in IPSO and still living in China, his profile was matched in a search by an employer.  The software development company invited Han to come in for an interview once he arrived in Ontario.  Han arrived on September 1st, was interviewed on September 21st, and accepted employment as a software developer.  He says the interview skills he learnt during the IPSO program helped him tremendously.

Han also benefited from his discussions with his online mentor, Ronald Liang.  Mr. Liang is a college instructor in Ontario and shares a common background with Han in Information Technology.

“I found Han was very self-motivated. There is a saying that the early bird gets the worm. Han understood the difficulties that a new immigrant may face in finding a technical job. He worked proactively during the mentoring partnership. By identifying his accomplishments and specific skills, searching for potential employers, reviewing the technical stuff in English, and preparing for interviews, Han prepared himself well for the challenge,” said Mr. Liang.

Han’s goals are to become “more of an expert in software design and development, as well as to increase my income, buy a large house and raise my daughter.”

When asked what advice he would give a friend preparing to immigrate to Canada Han said, “Get prepared to find a job before landing. To understand Canada is to live better in Canada.”

Read the IPSO Newsletter Winter 2011

IPSO Project Announcement

The launch of the Integrated Pre-arrival Services Online (IPSO) project was formally announced on January 11th, 2010 at JVS Toronto.  The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas) and Member of Parliament for Thornhill made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Canada.  IPSO partnering members from JVS Toronto, Immigrant Settlement Integration Services (ISIS), Skills International, Ryerson University and project supporters were in attendance to mark the occasion. 

In his presentation of the IPSO project, Minister of State Kent emphasized the importance of programming and services that attract and retain skilled workers to achieve Canada’s goal for long-term economic success.  The Minister of State stressed that initiatives like IPSO will, “help to strengthen Canada’s workforce … [and] build on Canada’s promise of opportunity”.  Karen Goldenberg, President and CEO of JVS Toronto, further remarked, “IPSO is a thrill [and it] brings us back to our roots” based on the organization’s history of providing newcomers with the tools they need to successfully integrate into Canada’s workforce.

Specifically, the IPSO project will pilot the online delivery of training and information required by internationally trained individuals (ITIs) who are in the final stages of their immigration process to Canada.  This initiative will expand upon and support current the Foreign Credential Recognition Program (FCRP) efforts in Canada’s three major immigrant source countries, namely China, the Philippines and India.  According to Statistics Canada, migrants from these source countries have accounted for over 30 percent of all immigration to Canada in the last decade.

Information and support provided by online services have been identified as crucial components to internationally trained individuals’ successful pre-arrival preparation and subsequent Canadian labour market integration.  IPSO will incorporate several online services and supports that will provide participant ITIs with the skills and information they need to effectively prepare and enter the Canadian labour market.  These online services will include:

• Writing Assessment and Language Training which will enhance professional writing, listening and pronunciation skills
• Employment Preparation that will help to develop Canadian job search strategies, provide occupational information, and workplace communication skills
• Mentoring will provide one-on-one support with a mentor as well as sector-specific employment and job search information
• Employer Connections will link ITIs with potential Canadian employers and facilitate ITIs’ employment preparation.  An employment verification and reference check component will also be included to provide Canadian employers with verified ITI employment history information
• Workplace Cultural Competency will improve ITIs’ culture-driven professional communication and soft skills based on Canadian employer workplace needs

IPSO will help ITIs to set realistic and achievable employment-related goals and to foster their confidence in attaining employment in their intended professions once in Canada.  The IPSO project will deliver pre-arrival services and supports to 120 to 150 ITIs intending to settle and work in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Alberta and British Columbia.  Expected project outcomes will be to enhance ITIs’ pre-arrival job search skills, foster their understanding of the Canadian workplace, improve English language and culture-driven workplace-related communication skills, develop sector-specific networks, and connect with potential Canadian employers.  These outcomes will support ITIs’ successful integration into the Canadian labour market thus furthering Canada’s goal to strengthen our capacity to utilize and maximize skilled immigrants’ potential for continued economic growth.  As Beth Clarke, Director of Newcomer Services at JVS Toronto, remarked, “By accessing the IPSO services, newcomers will be more prepared to find, get and retain employment in their occupation in Canada.  The IPSO participants will be able to both integrate in a timelier manner, and avoid many of the difficulties other newcomers experience.”

The pilot phase of the IPSO project will end in June 2012.  IPSO’s phase II will be a Canada-wide roll out of the services and supports.  The collaborative partnership includes the Association of Canadian Community Colleges - Canadian Immigrant Integration Program (CIIP), JVS Toronto, Immigrant Settlement and Integration Services (ISIS), Skills International, and Ryerson University.  Partner organizations and supporters look forward to a successful venture.

To read the Government of Canada press release click here

Attachments:

IPSO_newsletter_winter_2011.pdf

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