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Overview

NIEC is a region-wide multi-stakeholder collaboration of businesses, community organizations, immigrants, occupational regulatory bodies and 4 levels of governments. It is created to enhance Niagara's diversity and economic prosperity by strengthening its capacity to attract, recruit and retain internationally trained immigrants who have chosen Canada as their destination. The community organizations include: community foundations, service providers, secondary and post-secondary educational institutions, economic and workforce development agencies and labour unions. 

Context 

By 2011, Niagara will be largely dependent on internationally trained individuals for its labour force growth. Sectors such as healthcare and tourism are already experiencing critical needs for skilled employees. While Niagara's population growth is expected to slow in the coming years, its population is aging and baby boomers are retiring in large numbers. A low birth rate and youth out-migration add to concerns about labour force shortages in the years ahead.

On the other hand, the challenges faced by the internationally trained individuals immigrating to Canada are often times overwhelming. The lack of Canadian experience and the non-recognition of their foreign credentials and experience has been a barrier to their employment, slowing their integration into the workforce and the community. The absence of a clear pathway to immigrant employment will lead Niagara's businesses to deal with looming labour shortages without an effective human resource strategy.   

NIEC is focused on making a difference by developing and implementing best practices and solutions. It will result in effective immigrant labour market integration and encourage more immigrants to choose Niagara as their destination.  

NIEC's efforts are focused on:

  • Providing a forum where employers, service providers and other stakeholder groups engage and develop innovative and sustainable employment strategies to assist employers with recruitment and retention of internationally trained Immigrants.
  • Creating a regional environment of collaboration and partnership in the delivery of effective, innovative and sustainable labour market integration programs for immigrants through Niagara's service providers.
  • Increasing employers' awareness of Canadian equivalency of credentials held by internationally trained individuals immigrating to Canada from all over the world.
  • Contribute to the introduction of immigrant employment friendly policies at the corporate, government and community level.
  • Raising public awareness of the contribution immigrants make to Canadian economic growth and the long-term economic prosperity of our community.

 

NIEC welcomes those interested in contributing towards creating a labour market where employers recognize and utilize the skills and experience immigrants bring to Niagara. Niagara will benefit economically, socially and culturally from your contribution.