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| Subject: Sharon's article |
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Our great Sharon posted a link for an article blaming the immigrants for their failure in employment. The article pointed out lack of "soft skills" such as languange and communication skills as a major cause of employment failure amongst immigrants to Canada.
I opted to respond because this article is misleading and gives the immigrants (or immigrants-to-be) false information about the reality.
The article tries to hide the big reasons of this failure that much more serious than those listed in the article. In my opinion, most of the "highly professional" immigrants who failed to get a job have (and exceed) all these listed so-called "soft skills".
In the regulated professions, the failure to get a job is mainly due to three main things:
- Unrecognized credentials. Non-canadian credentials are usually not recognized and have to be re-validated by passing qualifying/evaluating exams in order to be licensed to work. Not only many immigrants find out that their credentials are not recognized but also not elgibile to sit for the Canadian licensing exams!. In this context, the highly qualified immigranta has work in "any" job for living.
- Those lucky immigrants who pass the licensing exams and get their credentials validated face the shocking small job market and large number of "qualified" candidates.
- The "hidden" anti-foreigners system. This is more serious than the above two factors. In a study done at the University of British Columbia (the UBC), a group of researchers created CVs with the same qualifications but changed the names. They put western names like Michel, John, Wilson..etc and then they put non-western names (arabic, asian..etc) on the same CVs (which all have the SMAE QUALIFICATIONS). They sent the same CV to around 6000 employers. CVs with the Western names got more responses than those with non-western ones by 40%!!!!!!!.
Read this study on this link:
http://www.straight.com/article-222933/blog-politics-ubc-employment-study-shows-white-supremacy-still-exists-canada
Overall, potential immigrants have to know the truth and be prepared. They should keep a "back up" plan. I don´t want to see more doctors driving taxis!
[03-12-2009,04:33]
[**.80.235.13]
Anonymous |
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(in reply to: Sharon's article)
regulated professions are a challenge - no doubt about it but that does not mean the advice is not valid. After all, the comments come from someone who should know - a recent immigrant who has found a way to succeed. No article can capture every aspect of immigration. It should be read in context of the article you present and others that create a canvas of information. Failure to research is a sure way to start on the wrong foot.
We have a post today from a prospective immigrant who wants to come to Canada with an IELTS score of 4. I can tell you right now, that he can be smart, have scraped up 67 points and will never make it in his chosen profession because of his language skills (soft skills as it is termed in the article)
67 points does not guarantee you success.
[03-12-2009,07:00]
[**.154.245.217]
Sharon |
(in reply to: Sharon's article)
- Unrecognized credentials:
Education system all over the world are not similar. So, rather than recognizing the credentials probably training to upgrade the previous education is required. Its more about adaptation and orientation to the new system. Its stupid to even think a government officer or lawyer or doctor in any foreign country to expect to start his past job in any immigrated land next day. I fully agree Canadian system in this regard.
BUT:
But for some technical jobs and scientists, there should be no discrimination if one is acquainted with certain skills having worked with modern science in any part of world. If anyone asks for credential recognition in that case, it is only the poor knowledge of the asking system. They should remember that Europe and US are better in science and technology than Canada and in this competeting age you can not wait for couple of year for recognition of your credentials. Loosing one year waiting out of job is loosing whole career for scientists.
- Shocking small job market:
You can not blame Canada or any land where you immigrated for being its job market small. These are the things you have to or we have to think before migrating.
- If there is color based discrimination, its very sad. Racism is everywhere, probably more in India or other Asian countries or Europe or USA. Its the human nature, everyone needs to discard it...takes time...probably few hundred years...!
- An immigrant should be able to adapt every situation ahead. He/She should think that he/she is going to loose what he/she had in his land at least for a couple of years. I have seen when an European from a rich country moves to some other country, he has always accepted the poor facilities than what he had before in his land.
Think of doing businees, survival jobs, update knowledge/education or get training: these are what I plan to adopt when I move to Canada or any land. If the country doesn´t provide these things for you to upgrade yourself then its pity..and then you can blame.
I don´t know real situation but have seen or read both types of people happy on one hand and complaining on the other hand. In terms of money and sound career, I am happy where I am. But if I want a change and further progress, I have to upgrade myself, thats what I think.
[03-12-2009,08:25]
[***.108.70.121]
VC |
(in reply to: Sharon's article)
We all interpret things with our own background set of opinions we have formulated over time. We all make mistakes and none are right all the time.
Advice is not like one size fits all clothing but we can all learn a little from others opinions. Something that would never cause an issue for you may be a major hurtle for others.
Take all advice with a grain of salt but never discount any advice outright.
When making a major life change take in all advice possible do lots of research and then you should be making quality informed decisions which are BEST for you.
Roy
www.cvimmigration.com
[03-12-2009,09:12]
[**.52.216.166]
Roy |
(in reply to: Sharon's article)
Enjoyed reading these posts... nice debate. Keep´em coming!
[03-12-2009,16:17]
[***.229.236.212]
Lily (from long ago) |
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