National Adult Literacy Database

Recently, the media bombarded us with news items focusing on the problems faced by immigrants – let’s call them new Canadians – looking for work. We were told that the image of someone with a PhD driving a taxi or welcoming us to the neighbourhood McDonalds may well reflect reality. Some observers find this situation ironic since these problems encountered by new Canadians contrast sharply with forecasts of shortages of qualified labour in a growing number of companies and industries.

Some have described Canada’s efforts to attract qualified workers trained abroad as seduction and abandonment. These people are lured with promises of jobs and a quality of life that draw heavily on Canada’s reputation in other countries, but once they arrive, they are left to their own devices. Given this situation, there is good reason to question the validity of pre-arrival perceptions and the role that career development professionals can play in making any necessary adjustments.

This document includes insight into:
- The contribution to immigrants to Canada's economy
- New Canadians are under-employed
- New Canadians are over-qualified
- The challenge for career and workforce development, and
- Avenues for intervention