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Celebrating 20 Years of Mentoring Services

Celebrating 20 Years of Mentoring at JVS Toronto: Empowering Skilled Immigrants to Achieve Career Success

For the past 20 years, JVS Toronto has been dedicated to helping skilled immigrants reach their career goals in Canada. With a rich history dating back to 1947, JVS Toronto has been at the forefront of meeting the needs of a rapidly changing world, always with a commitment to its vision of ensuring every individual has opportunities for employment. Mentoring has played a critical role in this journey, and today, JVS Toronto is proud to celebrate 20 years of successful mentoring initiatives.

Mentoring is a valuable tool for individuals seeking to establish their careers in a new country. JVS Toronto offers a range of mentoring services, including online mentoring, group mentoring, and in-person mentoring. These programs have been designed to support and empower skilled newcomers, providing them with the guidance, resources, and confidence they need to succeed in the Canadian labour market.

One of the key highlights of JVS Toronto’s mentoring initiatives is the online pre-arrival mentoring offered through the Canada InfoNet program. This unique service provides skilled immigrants with one-on-one and occupation-specific career support before they even arrive in Canada. With the right guidance and support at the right time, mentees can develop the labour market tools they need and increase their confidence to enter the Canadian labour market.

JVS Toronto has also formed strategic partnerships with various ethno-specific and occupation-specific organizations to offer group mentoring to their members and clients. These collaborations are a testament to JVS Toronto’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, and they have proven to be a great success. The organization also works closely with partners like World Education Services, training immigrant-led organizations to offer group mentoring to their communities.

As a community partner of the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council, JVS Toronto shares the common vision of helping newcomers connect with a mentor. With this partnership, newcomers receive valuable coaching and are able to build upon their international professional experience to secure relevant career opportunities within the Canadian workforce.

In conclusion, JVS Toronto is committed to helping skilled immigrants achieve their career goals in Canada. Over the past 20 years, the organization’s mentoring initiatives have been a critical component in empowering and supporting individuals as they navigate the labour market. Looking forward, JVS Toronto is eager to continue improving and growing its mentoring programs, building upon its past successes and ongoing collaboration with current and future partners.

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Celebrating Toronto Newcomer Day 2023

Toronto Newcomer Day 2023 Flyer

Join us as we welcome newcomers to Toronto.

First proclaimed in 2015, Toronto Newcomer Day is an annual event held in May that welcomes newcomers to Toronto, helps them understand and access a wide range of services, and celebrates their contributions to the city. The event features a number of activities including a formal stage program, a citizenship ceremony for new Canadians, a Newcomer Marketplace, and an Information Fair.

 Look for JVS Toronto’s booth for information on all our newcomer employment services and bridge training programs.

Event Highlights

  • Entertaining performances
  • Colouring for children
  • Free Tim Hortons beverages
  • Food Trucks
  • Interactive activities
  • Information Fair
  • Newcomer Marketplace
  • Newcomer food fair
  • Prizes and giveaways
  • Henna artist
  • HistoricTO Neighbourhood Walking Tours

Date: May 25 from 10 am to 3 pm.
Location: Nathan Phillips Square

Visit toronto.ca/newcomerday for more info!

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Ask the Employment Specialist: How do I Look for a Job While Working?

man conducting a job search onlineDear Joanna,

I am currently working full-time as a social worker at a local community agency. Often, I work overtime hours and am on-call 24/7. I love my work and the clients, but there is no room for any promotion, professional or career growth at this agency. I have been a dedicated and successful employee for over eight years. During these years, I have acquired several certifications, degrees, have learned countless skills and gained relevant experience on my resume.

I am ready for a new job, and the next step in my career path. How do I look for work when I am working full-time?

Job Searching and Working (JSW)

Dear JSW,

I congratulate you on your desire to continually learn and grow in your career. You sound like a talented and competent professional who deserves to be promoted, recognized and presented with better opportunities in the labour market.

There is a consensus amongst the experts in the field that it’s better to look for work while you are working , as candidates currently employed tend to be more attractive to hiring manager. Andrew Klappholz adds that “being gainfully employed automatically takes a lot of the pressure off and frees you from the desperation that makes many unemployed people take jobs they don’t want.”

It is definitely difficult to balance your current job responsibilities and tasks with the time commitment of looking for another job, so it might take you longer to find the dream job. So, while you are working, I recommend the following tips, as presented by writers quoted above:

1. Think through whether you want to be transparent with your own boss.
Usually, it is a good idea to keep your job search quiet and do not share this with anyone at work. Some firms have a policy to fire people who are actively searching for work. You’re your job hunt on a need-to-know basis, warns Hein. However if you trust your manager and he/she is supportive of your learning and growth, you might want to share your frustration at work and see if there are growth opportunities within your organization. Can you transfer to another department? Can you apply for a senior position. If the answer is not, then it is time to start looking in the labour market for your dream job. I will leave it up to your discretion if it is best for you to be straightforward with your boss.

2. Access more information for your job search.
As an engaged member of the workforce, you’re likely to have access to lot more information in your field that could benefit you than if you were unemployed. “Keep your eyes and ears open for things and make mental notes,” one expert, Tammy Gooler Loeb, suggests, “You may have the opportunity to get more information about what’s going on that may feed your job search.”

3. Creative Networking.
Use your time off, lunch hours, after work hours, weekends and during personal and vacation days if need be, continues Loeb, to meet people in your network. Invite professionals in your field for a drink or a cup of coffee, after work. Request information interviews and connect with as many people as possible ,who you think could help you with your job search without betraying your current employer. Make sure that you explain to individuals who receive your resume that you are currently employed and that your search is confidential.

4. Don’t job search on company time.
When you are at your current job, you should stay focused and productive. In fact, I recommend you over perform, exceed the manager’s expectations, never say no, and accept new projects and responsibilities. Don’t hurt your productivity. In your cover letter or resume applications, you can list specific times to reach you, especially for the recruiters. Do not use company email address or phone numbers when on the job hunt. Use your personal email and telephone contact details on LinkedIn, Twitter and throughout the entire process.

5. Never say anything negative about your current employer.
It is definitely tempting to spill your guts, but hold on to yourself for now. Bad-mouthing your company or boss is not going to get you a job. Remain positive and focus on your skills, experience and expertise relevant to the position. Market yourself as someone who has gone as far as you can go in the company, and that you are looking for a more senior position that is not available in your place of employment.

6. References.
Don’t use your current boss as a reference. Receiving a reference check call could put your supervisor in a compromising position. You should only use someone from your current workplace if you trust that they will keep your job search confidential.

7. Don’t rush!
Take your time to explore all your options and opportunities in the labour market. Make sure that you have done all your homework, and put yourself in the best position to secure the job that you want before leaving. If you have a an opportunity to job shadow or try out a new possible job, then consider taking a couple of vacation days to do this. You want to ensure that if you do decide to leave your current employment that you are making an informed decision.

I wish you lots of success and courage to move to the next step in your career.

Joanna

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Introducing JVS Toronto’s New Board Chair

We are delighted to announce that Ariella Fuhrmann has assumed the role of Chair of the Board of Directors at JVS Toronto. Previously serving as the Vice-Chair of our Board of Directors and the Chair of our Agency’s Pension Committee, Ariella has been an integral part of the JVS Toronto community since 2015. She has brought immense value to the Agency with her background in law, and over 20 years of experience in the pension and benefits industry.

During her remarks at JVS Toronto’s 76th Annual General Meeting, Ariella stated, “By offering my professional skills and expertise, I aim to build upon the solid foundation that has been established in recent years, ensuring that the organization remains stable, resilient, and continues to make a lasting impact well into the future.”

Ariella succeeds Avi Pollock, who served as Board Chair for a remarkable three-year term. She will be collaborating closely with Avi and the other members of the Board to advance the Agency’s vision, mission, and our newly developed Strategic Plan.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Avi for the incredible impact he has made during his tenure as Board Chair and eagerly anticipate reaching new heights under Ariella’s capable leadership.

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New report on skilled immigrant women’s pursuit for employment in Canada

In the rich tapestry of immigrant experiences, the narratives of skilled immigrant women often stand out for their resilience, ambition, and the unique challenges they face. A recent research report conducted by JVS Toronto in 2023, titled “Breaking Barriers and Empowering Change: Unveiling the Triumphs, Challenges, and Identity Struggles of Skilled Immigrant Women in Pursuit of Employment,” delves deep into the lives of women-identified participants of JVS Toronto’s Canada InfoNet pre-arrival program, shedding light on their journeys, hurdles, and remarkable successes. The research is based on survey and focus group data, of women who participated in the program from 2020 to 2022.

Here are some of the highlights of the study:Cover of the report

Barriers to Employment

The study uncovers the multifaceted challenges immigrant women encounter in their quest for employment in Canada. Notably, the lack of Canadian work experience emerges as a significant barrier, with 44.9% of respondents citing it as a major hurdle. Additionally, navigating regulated professions and balancing family responsibilities pose formidable challenges. The report reveals how childcare availability affects job searches and underscores the complex interplay between motherhood and career aspirations.

Pre-Arrival Success

Despite these obstacles, skilled immigrant women who receive support from pre-arrival programs like Canada InfoNet have better employment outcomes upon arrival in Canada even though they continue to face systemic barriers when compared to other groups. An overwhelming 82% of these women found employment within six months of arrival, a testament to the efficacy of such initiatives. Their proactive approach to job searching, often commencing before setting foot in Canada, speaks volumes about their determination and preparedness.

Navigating Career Changes and Identity

For some immigrant women, the journey involves significant career transitions, either due to regulated professions or the need for reinvention in a new environment. 29.5% of respondents grapple with navigating regulated professions, while an additional 44.8% find themselves charting new career trajectories in unfamiliar industries. The report highlights the emotional toll of such changes, as many grapple with a loss of identity tied to their previous occupations. For these women, the level of job satisfaction varied with the ones reporting lower satisfaction also reporting a significant loss in self-esteem. The connection between their sense of identity and sense of self was closely tied to their occupational identity. The report also shows how making this decision before arriving in Canada as a result of one’s own choice leads to a stronger identification with their new career and are more likely to consider that a permanent change. Yet, amidst the challenges, there’s a sense of empowerment as these women forge new paths and redefine success on their own terms.

Recommendations for Empowerment

The report also offers actionable recommendations for empowering immigrant women. It calls for gender-sensitive support systems tailored to the unique needs of female immigrants, especially those with children. Integrating settlement, employment, and childcare services could streamline their integration into the workforce. It also emphasizes the importance of mental health support, particularly in the wake of the isolation experienced by remote workers.

In the stories of skilled immigrant women, we find narratives of resilience, determination, and self-discovery. Despite facing formidable barriers, these women exhibit unwavering courage and adaptability. As we reflect on their journeys, it is imperative not only to recognize their triumphs but also to amplify their voices and provide targeted support.

By empowering immigrant women, we enrich our communities, foster diversity, and propel collective progress towards a more inclusive society.

Download the report here

JVS Toronto

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T: 416-787-1151
E: services@jvstoronto.org

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