Adult immigrants seeking entry into the trades in rural Alberta: Navigating the processes of credentialing and re-credentialing
Abstract
International power engineering students’ experiences and perceptions were studied to get a better understanding of the individual and
collective strategies adopted to navigate the post-migration transition to the Canadian labour
market. Along with document analysis, this thesis analyzed interviews and a focus group with 14 international power engineering students at Keyano College in Fort McMurray, AB with the intention
of gathering input from their experiences and perceptions of (re-)credentialing for successful labour market entry. Findings detailed barriers and challenges students faced when re-credentialing to enter the labour market, as well as the students’ recommendations for improvement.
Notes
Community organizations: n/a
Integration timeline: not defined
Future research / gaps identified:
- Include a more diverse sample of participants (e.g. only 2/14 participants were female).
- Expand research so it can be applied to policy and procedural changes.
Key findings:
Barriers to re-credentialing and entering the Canadian labour market included:
- Foreign credentials weren’t recognized.
- Many were forced to change careers due to lack of credential recognition and Canadian work experience.
- Career choice post-immigration was based on access, time pressure, and financial requirements/restraints.
- Social isolation post-immigration created barriers to finding work, receiving references, and being hired.
Key populations: new immigrants enrolled in the power engineering program at Keyano College in Fort McMurray, AB
Key recommendations:
- Prioritize skill recognition over language proficiency when integrating new immigrants into the Canadian labour market.
- Create language accommodations to mitigate language barriers that reduce/eliminate employment opportunities.
- Share more information about rural employment opportunities in the trades with new immigrants.
- Restructure post-secondary programs to have additional supports that will reduce employment barriers for newly immigrated students post-graduation.
Location: Fort McMurray, AB
Open access: No
