• According to the provincial government’s Labour Force to 2041 study, the number of jobs on the North Shore will increase from 77,000 in 2006 to 110,000 in 2041. 41% of employers surveyed by NSIIP reported a shortage of skilled workers.
• The 2011 National Household Survey reported that 11.2% of recent immigrants on the North Shore were unemployed, compared to 6.2% of the total labour force.
• Only 22.1% of immigrants surveyed by NSIIP reported being employed in their occupational field. Working in positions below their level of education, skills and experience creates financial barriers for immigrants and contributes to feelings of isolation and other settlement stresses.
• Only 2.3% of community service providers surveyed agreed that “newcomers are able to find employment opportunities that use their education, skills and abilities.”
• The majority of employers surveyed were receptive to hiring immigrants but were not aware of or actively using government funded employment services or immigrant services to find them. Over two-thirds of employers surveyed reported hiring recent immigrants through the same process as other staff; e.g. via their networks. Half of the employers interviewed were interested in getting further assistance in recruiting and retaining immigrants.
• 7.8% of immigrant survey participants are self-employed, and the North Shore is regarded as a popular destination for immigrant entrepreneurs.

Objectives:

1. Share data about North Shore demographics and the impacts of COVID-19 on immigrant job seekers.
2. Deliver training to employers and HR professionals around equitable & inclusive workplace practices.
3. Support events that build labour market attachment opportunities for professional immigrants.
4. Create opportunities for projects that respond to shifting labour market trends during COVID-19 economic recovery.

2021/22

• Hosted a Lunch & Learn webinar in August 2021 to explore the vital role of im/migrants, including temporary permit holders, in the COVID economic recovery of the North Shore
• Designed and disseminated a North Shore Employer Survey in Nov 2021 to map local workforce shortages in the COVID-19 recovery context, build understanding of workforce diversity, and learn about strategies for hiring & retaining skilled im/migrant talent
• In collaboration with Impact North Shore and WorkBC, convened 2 Industry Series networking events to support local employers and skilled im/migrant job seekers build new connections
• Hosted an Employer Roundtable event in Feb 2022 focused on employer challenges and successes in hiring & retaining skilled im/migrant talent as well as strategies for building more inclusive HR practices

2020/21

• Supported the development of a North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Policy Resolution advocating for an investment in retraining opportunities for the underemployed workforce in BC Tech Sector
• Co-hosted an Employer Roundtable event focused on building inclusive & equitable hiring practices in North Shore workplaces

2019/20

• Participated in North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce “Learn at Lunch” series on pathways to hiring and retaining immigrant employees on the North Shore
• Delivered presentation to Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR) – North shore chapter regarding inclusive hiring practices 
• Updated and shared an info sheet on Immigrants and the North Shore Labour Market 
• Participated in entrepreneurship workshop (hosted by Vancity) for immigrants during Small Business Month in October 2019

2018/19

• Developed an information sheet for employers outlining resources to address workplace discrimination 

2017/18

• Piloted a workshop for immigrant entrepreneurs in collaboration with the North Shore Multicultural Society and WorkBC
• Held a networking and educational event for employers and skilled immigrants

2016/17

• Explored creation of workshops for entrepreneurial immigrants
• Encouraged facilitation of partnerships between local with local professional associations and networks
• Fostered relationships between Chambers of Commerce, local Business Improvement Associations (BIAs) and professional immigrant networks

• Developed and shared an info sheet on Immigrants and the North Shore Labour Market

• North Shore Employer Survey Report (2021) [PDF] [Report Summary]
• Unconscious Bias and Recruitment Factsheet (2021) [PDF]
• A Resource for Employers; Connecting with Immigrant Talent on the North Shore (2021) [PDF]
• Employers’ Resources for Discrimination in the Workplace (2017) [PDF]
• Immigrants and the North Shore Labour Market (2017) [PDF]

• Ana Fortes, Capilano University
• Homa Soltani, Impact North Shore
• Linda Gillan, District of West Vancouver
• Masha Rademakers, Impact North Shore
• Morvarid Zandichi, YWCA
• Najah Hage, YWCA
• Patrick Stafford-Smith, North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce
• Puneet Jain, Vancity
• Utsav Thakur, Impact North Shore