The Government of Saskatchewan has recently announced funding support for the Regina Open Door Society’s (RODS) Employment Readiness programme.
Over the next year, the RODS Employment Readiness program will assist up to 450 newcomers to the Canadian province in overcoming cultural and language barriers to employment. Through a variety of support services, newcomers will be prepared to explore, seek, and secure continued employment.
“The Regina Open Door Society’s Employment Readiness programme works to remove barriers to employment and provide newcomers the supports they need to participate in our province’s labour market,” Saskatchewan’s Immigration, Jobs, Skills and Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “Our commitment to this programme enables individuals to contribute to our economy and allows employers to benefit from a growing labour force that is both inclusive and diverse.”
In 2015, 431 clients found employment through the programme. Upon follow-up after three months, 85 per cent of clients maintained employment. Clients came from at least 81 countries with those from India, Pakistan, Philippines, China, and Nigeria being the top five countries.
The top occupation and education backgrounds of clients were: IT professionals, engineers, accountants, teachers, bankers and business administration professionals.
“Regina Open Door Readiness program is helping newcomers to overcome barriers toward self-sufficiency in job search, career decision-making and employment planning so they may reach a level of employment readiness that with allow them to find and maintain ongoing employment,” Language, Employment and Child Care Services Director Margaret Hnidy said. “Thanks to the Government of Saskatchewan’s ongoing support of RODS Employment Services, we are able to assist hundreds of newcomers each year to gain economic integration.”
Article published 20th July 2016