Global Experience @ Work
Global Experience @ Work (GE@W) is an initiative of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), funded by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration and Citizen and Immigration Canada. The initiative is part of an OCC strategy to better promote Ontario as a career, business and investment destination of choice, and to ensure that Ontario keeps pace with a global economy.
GE@W involves two stages:
- Local Chamber Programs – partner within its chamber network to leverage local expertise and experience with the goal towards raising awareness about the importance of integrating foreign trained professionals into the workforce
- International Outreach – host a series of video conferences to provide candidates from foreign markets the opportunity to interact directly with Ontario employers
PART 1: Local Chamber Programs
The OCC will continue to build on the success of Global Experience @ Work to date. It is anticipated that the strategies listed below will be continued in more communities across Ontario, through the leadership of the local chambers of commerce.
The following strategies are demonstrated successes from the current GE@W initiatives:
- Direct placements
- Mentoring programs
- Credential recognition and evaluation programs
- Newcomer strategies
- Diversity and cross-cultural training and employer guides,
- Toolkits for employers
- Loan program for education/training upgrades to help IEPs meet Ontario standards
- Public education and information forums for employers and employees
- Job fairs
- Online resource guides
The OCC will soon be issuing Requests for Proposals to Chambers of Commerce/Boards of Trade for this initiative. Local projects will be chosen after a detailed review process.
PART 2: International Outreach
GE@W and its strategic partners had hosted a series of video conferences with China, to develop new approaches to reach immigrants in an effort to assist in their integration into the labour market by having them dialogue directly with Ontario employers. The intent of part 2 of the GE@W program on a go-forward basis is to continue to utilize our partnerships in China, while also running pilot programs in other identified foreign markets to test their viability and participation.
