The influx of refugees received in 2015, and the years that followed, challenged receiving communities to reimagine traditional models of labour market integration. Conventional recruitment and selection processes resulted in missed opportunities to effectively evaluate and tap into the myriad of skills and experience many refugees bring to the workforce. Our new report, Investing in Refugee Talent: Lessons Learned in Labour Market Integration, represents a timely and practical guide to galvanize public and private sector response to the challenges faced by newcomers in local labour markets. This volume of best practices from cities in Canada, Germany, Sweden and Australia, highlights the opportunities we can leverage as we navigate migration in the 21st century, together.
In this report, we share 13 international best practices, which all represent the pivotal role of employment in the integration of refugees, and the private sector as a key stakeholder in receiving communities. Beyond corporate social responsibility, many employers recognize the experience, talents and skills refugees bring to the workforce, and realize that their companies will be in a greater position to meet and respond to growing labour market needs by incorporating them. The creation of meaningful partnerships between employers and community organizations has facilitated collaborative solutions to addressing refugee and industry needs alike.
We would like to acknowledge the businesses, municipal departments, agencies and community partners whose leadership and commitment to meaningful refugee integration are reflected in these pages. We thank them for sharing their action-oriented initiatives, expertise and for challenging us to reimagine traditional models and programs of integration.
Read more Investing in Refugee Talent: Lessons Learned in Labour Market Integration
If you have a best practice to share, please contact hireimmigrants@ryerson.ca