The Human Resource (HR) Solutions is a Labour Market Partnership Project (LMP) funded by the Federal Government of Canada (Service Canada) and undertaken by the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS). The objective of this project is to assist VIRCS and its partners in their efforts to research and develop an effective human resource approach for local businesses. Eventually, it will seek to help employers build up necessary skills for a productive multicultural workforce.
Healthy economic development and slow growth in the workforce create labour shortages and generate different issues for human resource management. This trend will become more critical in the long term. As Canada has relied on immigration for its declining population, immigration has increasingly become a vital labour source for the country’s growing economy. The labour force of the Capital Regional District (CRD) will be transformed into a multicultural one, as more immigrants arrive, work, and settle in the region. This will create significant socio-economic pressure and changes in the region as well as in its work culture. Not only will it impact on employers’ practices in hiring and retaining immigrant workers, but also it will predictably create social and cultural tensions among workers in the workplace. Local employers generally lack the experience and skills to deal with multicultural workers and they are ill-prepared to manage these inevitable issues.
The HR Solutions Project will research possible solutions to these issues. Consequently, it will raise awareness of local employers about the on-going demographic changes in the CRD. Also, it will provide them with necessary tools and best practices for effectively employing and retaining multi-cultural workers.
The second phase of the project is from March 7th, 2008 to December 12th, 2008. It consists of two interview guides and two focus groups: one each for employers and for immigrants. The purpose of these interviews and focus groups is to provide in-depth, explanatory stories and perceptions regarding the issues and challenges associated with employing a multicultural workforce.
Participation of both employers and multicultural workers will contribute significantly to the success of this phase. We are very grateful for the support of the community, and thank all those taking time to complete an interview or participate in a focus group.
To access a copy of the final report for Phase One of the project click here.
The Government of Canada contributes funding to this initiative.
The Government of Canada contributes funding to this initiative.