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New Immigrants Working in B.C.

British Columbia's growth and prosperity are founded on a long tradition of immigration. Approximately 40,000 new immigrants enter the province each year . 1

British Columbia is an ideal place to live and work in Canada.  The province offers a welcoming environment, a diverse ethnic and cultural mix, and abundant employment opportunities. Immigrant workers help to strengthen B.C.'s economy. They provide much-needed expertise and often help to fill critical shortages in the labour market. Skilled workers with training, work experience, and knowledge of English are in high demand.

New immigrants should be aware, however, that they can face many challenges in finding employment, especially employment that fully utilizes their skills, knowledge and experience. Common difficulties may include:  unfamiliarity with Canadian culture, insufficient language skills, difficulty having their education recognised, or a lack relevant Canadian work experience.
 

Keep reading to learn about the resources that can help you find employment and adapt to Canada's workforce and culture.

Contents

 

It is important to research your occupation or the occupation you are interested in and learn where jobs are located, what working conditions are like, whether there are openings, and what credentials may be required.

Using Labour Market Information

Your chances of finding a job will improve as you find out more about the field you are interested in. BC Work Futures can help you find information and learn more about B.C.'s labour market and economy.

Make sure that you know the differences in your occupation between Canada and your home country. Your occupation may have a different title or involve different duties in Canada than you are used to. 

Explore occupational groups to learn about other related jobs you may be able to do with your qualifications.

BC Work Futures can also tell you whether your occupation is regulated in B.C. Regulated occupations require you to have a licence before you can begin work. These occupations include regulated professions (such as dentistry); and apprenticeable skilled trades (such as electrical work).

Most occupations are not regulated. However, some of these jobs will still require formal education or other credentials, while other jobs will require few or no qualifications.

You can use BC Work Futures as a starting point to find out if there is a professional organization or regulatory body connected to your occupation. Contact the organization to learn its requirements and find out about other useful information and services it may offer.

 

Many immigrants discover that finding the right job in B.C. is harder than they expected. If you cannot find work in your field right away, you will have to consider other possibilities.

Employment Paths

It is common for skilled immigrants to accept entry-level positions or jobs unrelated to their profession. These "survival jobs" allow workers to gain experience while they advance toward higher positions, wait for certification, learn new skills or upgrade their education.

Most employers want somebody who already has Canadian work experience. Entry-level positions can help new immigrants meet this requirement. Another good way to gain Canadian experience is to volunteer in your community.

 

You can search for work by responding to a job posting, by visiting a career centre, by contacting employers directly or by networking.

 

Finding A Job

Job postings can be found in newspapers, on websites such as Service Canada's Job Bank at http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/, in career centres or through professional or trades organizations.

Career centres provide useful information and resources for job seekers. They display job postings and provide free use of computers, printers, telephones, fax services and libraries. They also offer workshops and can help you write a résumé and cover letter or prepare for an interview.

Your colleagues, neighbours, classmates, family and friends can all help connect you to jobs. Get to know as many people as you can and tell them you are looking for work. You may want to join an association of internationally trained workers, such as the B.C. Internationally Trained Professionals Network at http://www.bcitp.net/.

Please note: the BC Work Futures website does not accept resumes or offer job search services.

 

Internationally-earned degrees, diplomas, certificates and professional or trades qualifications will not always be recognized in B.C. 

 

Foreign Credential Recognition

It can be hard to understand how foreign credentials compare to provincial standards. To find out if your credentials will be recognized, you may need to have them assessed. In B.C., foreign credential assessment is provided by the International Credit Evaluation Service (ICES) at http://www.bcit.ca/ices/. ICES evaluates formal education credits earned outside of B.C. and determines their provincial equivalents.

An assessment will usually be required if your occupation is regulated in B.C. Contact the regulatory body governing your profession to learn about their regulations and recommended procedures. They may refer you to ICES or conduct their own assessment.

If your occupation is not regulated, you do not need to have your credentials assessed, but this may help employers understand your qualifications.

Many educational institutions offer prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR), which is a way of testing overall knowledge and skills that considers non-academic qualifications such as independent study and work experience.

For further information or advice, contact the Foreign Credentials Referral Office at http://www.credentials.gc.ca/ or the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials at http://www.cicic.ca/.

 

New immigrants often need to upgrade their education before beginning work.

Education and Training

Some immigrants discover that all, or part of, their previous education will not be recognized in B.C.   As such, some may choose to take advantage of the province's educational system and study for advancement or for a new career.

If you are planning to continue your education in B.C.:

  • Find a college or university that offers the program you need. You can search Education Planner at http://www.educationplanner.ca/ to find information about post-secondary programs.
  • Contact the institution you are interested in to find out their entry requirements and how your education credentials will need to be assessed.

 

The ability to speak English is necessary to find work in B.C. 

English Language Skills

Many immigrants need training to gain strong skills in English language speaking, reading and writing.

Basic English instruction is available for free through English Language Services for Adults (ELSA) at http://www.elsanet.org/, managed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. ELSA offers flexible programs to fit a variety of abilities and needs. More advanced English as a Second Language (ESL) training is offered in many settings, including universities and colleges, private schools and immigrant-serving agencies (see Immigrant Employment Services section, which follows).
 

Immigrant Employment Services

Service Canada Centres
http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/cgi-bin/hr-search.cgi?app=lst&pv=bc&ot=&ln=eng
Service Canada centres are located in most parts of B.C.

Lower Mainland Employment Resources
http://www.lmer.ca
This site provides links to career centres, job-finding clubs and other community employment programs across the Lower Mainland.

Skills Connect for Immigrants Program
http://www.welcomebc.ca/en/immigration/come/lmp/employment_
services/skillsconnect/index.html
This program helps skilled immigrants find work in growing industries such as construction, transportation and hospitality.
 

Settlement

Immigrant Settlement Agencies - WelcomeBC
http://www.welcomebc.ca/en/service_providers/programs/
settlement_agencies.html
These agencies provide information and guidance for newcomers. Use this list to find your local agency.

B.C. Settlement and Adaptation Program - WelcomeBC
http://www.welcomebc.ca/en/service_providers/programs/
settlement_program
BCSAP supports agencies that provide services such as reception, orientation, interpretation and counselling.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada: After you arrive
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/index.asp
This site provides detailed information for newcomers, including who to contact for help.
 

Other Useful Links

WelcomeBC 
http://www.welcomebc.ca/en/index.html
Contains a wealth of information and resources for new immigrants to B.C.

Going to Canada
http://www.goingtocanada.gc.ca/index.aspx
TOffers useful information about living and working in Canada.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada
http://www.cic.gc.ca
Provides important information about immigration to Canada and Canadian citizenship.

WorkBC - Career Pathways for New Immigrants
http://www.workbc.ca/career_pathways/special_resources/immigrants.htm
Useful for new immigrants looking to settle and build a career in B.C.

WorkBC - New Immigrants Looking for Work
http://www.workbc.ca/job_seekers/special_resources/immigrants.htm
This is for new immigrants searching for work. Resources to help you overcome some of the challenges you face as a newcomer to B.C. are offered.

Immigrant Employment Council of British Columbia
http://www.iecbc.ca/about-us
Offers a variety of information for immigrants.  Look under the Service Provider Info link.

1 Immigration Trends 2008, WelcomeBC http://www.welcomebc.ca/shared/docs/communities/
immigrationtrends2008.pdf