Annual Immigration Forum to focus on Hiring and Retaining Immigrants
Thursday, March 21, 2019
On Tuesday, March 26, 2019, the Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) will be hosting its 9th annual Immigration Forum at the Water Tower Inn, in the Pavilion Ballroom, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This year’s theme, “Building Better Bridges to Employment,” will feature a selection of speakers from the federal and provincial governments as well as private organizations discussing ways Sault Ste. Marie can improve its ability to recruit, hire and retain international talent.
Sponsored by Professions North/Nord and the Algoma Workforce Investment Corporation (AWIC), this year’s forum is designed to assist employers with recruiting and retaining highly skilled international talent by highlighting a range of service providers, program options and information that exists locally to fill key positions requiring highly specialized talent.
The forum will feature presentations and discussions with representatives from the Newcomer Centre of Peel, Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creations and Trade (MEDJCT), Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Canadian Skills Training and Employment Coalition (CSTEC), Professions North/Nord, Reseau du Nord, AWIC, Sault Community Career Centre’s New to the Sault program, Northern Policy Institute, Algoma University and Sault College.
Adrian DeVuono, Coordinator of the LIP states, "Immigration is an integral part of our community’s strategy to revitalize our local workforce. If we want to take full advantage of the many economic and social benefits immigration can bring to Sault Ste. Marie, employers and supporting institutions, whether they are government, non-profit, or for-profit, must work together to create collaborative solutions to attracting, hiring and retaining newcomers. With this year’s forum, we want to highlight the programs and best practices for boosting Sault Ste. Marie’s workforce through immigration when local talent isn’t available, with the aim of benefiting everyone."
Founded in 2009, the LIP, led by the City of Sault Ste. Marie and funded by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), is a community based consortium of partners that work together to increase the capacity and coordination of service deliver in order to support the attraction and retention of newcomers. Since its creation, LIP has mobilized over 35 organizations and countless community members from across economic, social and culture spheres to implement and sustain its initiatives. Through ongoing evaluation, research and strategic planning, LIP continues to establish collaborations and partnerships and explore opportunities to create a welcoming and inclusive city.