Diversity Works - Global Experience at Work

Diversity Works Overview

Welcome to Diversity Works!

Diversity Works assists local employers to meet their staffing needs by providing free HR services, training and workshops to equip them with strategies, resources and tools to recruit, select and integrate global talent.

An initiative of Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, the project focuses on economic development through attraction and retention of skills and expertise from around the world.

FACTS:

• 20% of Canada’s total population in 2006 was born outside Canada.
  In business terms, this represents 26% of current Canadian consumer market!
• By 2013 new Canadians will account for 100% of all labour force growth
• Cultural diversity brings innovation and fresh perspectives
• Cultural diversity is a source of knowledge and skills and a source of information
  about business practices and business opportunities outside Canada

CHALLENGES:

Why should you consider hiring internationally trained individuals?

• The Canadian-born workforce is shrinking and the demand for labour is growing
• The local market is changing as more new Canadians settle in the city of Hamilton

BENEFITS:

Benefits of Hiring Internationally Trained Individuals:

• Bring new ideas, skills, energy, motivation and strong work ethics to the workplace.
• Boost your company’s public image and consumer loyalty.
• Enhance your company ability to access global markets.

FREE HR SERVICES FOR EMPLOYERS:

When you register with Diversity Works you gain access to FREE HR Services. You also receive the latest information on HR topics related to recruitment and retention of Internationally Trained Individuals. All you need is to send us an email. To register, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

1. Free Workplace ESL Classes for newcomers hires:

Are you Hiring Foreign Trained Workers?  Your workers can benefit from our program's Free English Classes and enhance their communication skills. We can send a professional ESL trainer to your workplace to help your newcomer employees develop their skills. Or they can receive training in one of our partners' training centers.

 Increase your worker productivity by:

• Improving workplace language skills
• Improve job proficiency
• Sharpening pronunciation and communication proficiency
• Boost their confidence

 For more details Click Here.
 
2. Free online job postings: 

Post jobs free online, and have access to a searchable database of 4000 highly educated and experienced newcomers. We can help you find the best match for your job requirements.
 
3. Regional Employer’s Roadmap:

Receive your free copy of a practical guide about practices, policies and programs available to support your hiring process.
 

FREE SERVICES FOR INTERNATIONALLY TRAINED INDIVIDUALS:

EXAMINATION SKILLS PREPARATION WORKSHOPS FOR NEWCOMER ENGINEERS:
For the Professional Practice Exam (PPE), as administered by Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO)
Please click here for more details.


BUSINESS MENTORING:

An innovative programme,  which enables immigrant entrepreneurs to develop their business network and assists mentors to understand business practices around the world.   New entrepreneurs bring a unique perspective on successful business practice and assist you to access global markets.

For more information on Business Mentoring, Click Mentoring Program Overview button above.

Mentoring Program Overview

Overview

Business Mentoring Program developed to close the gap between new immigrant entrepreneurs and Hamilton business community. We are committed to help new Canadian entrepreneurs and investors to identify suitable opportunities for investment.

This program demonstrates our commitment to support the business and economic development in the City of Hamilton.

The program has completed two mentoring sessions with twenty partnerships. A third session started in May 2012 with four partnerships.  Mentor and mentee meet for approximately 1.5 hours per week over a four month period. Mentors will be drawn from our experienced Chamber membership and mentees will be accepted from all of our diverse immigrant communities. 

The broad program mandate is to target entrepreneurs with a genuine interest in establishing business in the Hamilton area.

It is expected that mentors and mentees will:

• Share their business experience
• Develop mutually beneficial business networks
• Realize the potential of their ideas
• Help immigrant entrepreneurs identify business opportunities

The program will enable immigrant entrepreneurs to integrate with the community more effectively. Mentors will have the opportunity to learn from entrepreneurs around the world. Each entrepreneur brings a unique perspective on successful business practice and routes to the global market.

We look forward to hearing from prospective mentors and mentees.

The application forms below are best viewed with Adobe Reader 9.4 or newer. A free copy of the Adobe Reader can be downloaded here.

 Want to be a mentor? Apply Here

To see the benefits for mentors, businesses and organizations Click Here

Want to be a mentee? Apply Here

Program details

How the Program works

The program works in the following way:

• Hamilton Chamber of Commerce recruits mentors from its membership.
• Community partner organizations refer mentees to the program.
• The project coordinator assesses the suitability of the mentor/mentee applicants, filtering out those who do not fit the criteria for the program. Mentors should have at least three years experience establishing and running their own business. Mentees should be investors or entrepreneurs interested in beginning a business in the Hamilton area.
• The coordinator then formally matches mentor to suitable mentee.
• Matched mentors and mentees attend an orientation meeting with the coordinator. This prepares them for their respective roles in the mentoring relationship.
• After the orientation sessions, mentors and mentees meet in person alone for the first time to negotiate the objectives of the mentoring relationship. They will confirm objectives and goals for the 4 month relationship.

Requirements and Responsibilities

Mentors:

• Help mentee understand Canadian workplace culture.
• Introduce mentees to any special demands of the Hamilton area.
• Introduce mentees to relevant individuals in the business community.
• Locate work-related resources.
• Set some specific short and long term goals at the beginning of the relationship.
• Identify skills that the mentees need to work on that is relevant to their field.
• Guide the mentee through the creation of a career/business plan.
• Aid with any licensing/accreditation issues when necessary.
• Provide support and help mentee access employment and training opportunities.
• Provide the mentee with access to information about their area of work.
• Attend chamber events together. Introduce mentee to colleagues and contacts.
• Mentors are not responsible for securing employment for their mentee.

Mentees:

• Make regular contact with mentor as set out in the agreement.
• Be specific about requests for information and assistance.
• Meet at specific intervals as outlined in the agreement.
• Commit to follow-up work on mentor suggestions or recommendations.
• Be an active listener.
• Stay in touch with the mentor and coordinator on a regular basis.
• Think about how your previous experience can help you in Canada.
• Think about how to develop your business network.

Testimonials from our Mentors

The Diversity Works program has developed a partnership with a group of local business professionals to help newcomers integrate into the local workforce. Below is a group of local experts who helped the program succeed by sharing information and their expertise with the program participants.

	When I volunteered to become a Business Mentor I had no idea of the impact that working with my entrepreneur would have on me. It was definitely a learning experience for both of us. My entrepreneur had a thirst for information, listened thoughtfully, tried out new ideas and was not afraid to challenge me. She developed a business, marketing and communication plan along with action steps that she could be proud of and by the end of our time together she was beginning to see the fruits of her labour. If it were not for the Chamber’s Business Mentorship Program I would have missed the opportunity to work with and learn from a new Canadian and help her build a business that she can be proud of. Len Lifchus, Chief Executive Officer United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton
	I am very privileged to share my 50 years of engineering and industrial management experience to help young brilliant men and women achieve their career goals. Diversity Works is a superb initiative to enhance the vitality and growth of our community. Jim Ratcliffe, Owner SCS Management Services
	I have had the privalege of participating twice in the Chamber's Business Mentorship program.  In both instances, I was paired with extraordinary individuals who reminded me of what young people who come from very diverse backgrounds can bring to our municipality and our economy.  Both were prepared to work hard and do what was necessary to bring them to future success. We get a very skilled and very capable individual to work with us. The message I would like to impart to my fellow business owners and managers is to give due consideration to young immigrants in addition to our local talent pool.  When home grown staff are in high demand and short supply, a highly motivated and skilled immigrant work force can fit the bill, fill the gap and make the difference. Herb Holst, President The Holst Equation Inc.
	I am very pleased to have participated in this important partnership between the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, the greater Hamilton business community and the enthusiastic newcomer entrepreneurs that make up the Diversity Works project.  I found the experience enriching, rewarding and memorable.  Congratulations to all participants and keep up the good work Hamilton Chamber of Commerce! René  Crespo,  National Sales Manager NUCO Inc
	Recently, I had the pleasure of participating in the Chamber’s mentoring program that encourages and inspires new Canadians to take full advantage of the economic opportunities that our country and our communities have to offer. Many new Canadians seek opportunities to not only develop lasting business relationship with colleagues, but also to help strengthen our economic viability; which is why  initiatives such as the Chamber’s mentoring program are vital in our communities. I thoroughly enjoyed my involvement in the program. Tom Irvine, Chief Marketing Officer Reeves Financial Services Inc.
	I have had the pleasure of being able to participate in the Chamber’s Mentoring Program.  As a mentor, I was both pleased and surprised at the return I received for simply donating a small portion of my time helping someone achieve their personal dream. I also gained incredible insight into my own endeavours and returned to some of the basics that had led to my initial success.  To see how a different background can allow you to view things with a completely new perspective was amazing and I cannot thank enough the program manager Maher Hamade and my mentee Ralston Scully for the fantastic opportunity afforded me! Daryl Sawyer, Director, Sales and Marketing Industrial Training Solutions
	Participating with the Diversity Works program has been very rewarding and inspiring. I had the opportunity to work with a brilliant, dedicated and motivated individual. Sharing my knowledge and working together we were able to set career goals and course of study to help him continue as a finance professional in Canada. Being an immigrant myself I find it important to help new Canadians transition and better their lives in Canada. Having a program like Diversity Works is a stepping stone to their success. I am proud to be a part of the program. Moshin Sheri,  H.B. Comm.  C.A. Vine and Partners LLP
	Diversity Works is a great and unique program utilizing action-based methodology to assist immigrants going through business planning stage and developing their business.  As a mentor, I enjoyed sharing my experience and resources with the program mentees and enjoyed the opportunity to learn from different cultures. Qilong Wang, Executive Vice President CCTEA
	I've been very honored to have the opportunity to serve and to lead this project over two years. We helped in making Hamilton a welcoming city for skilled newcomers. Through this program we helped over 110 newcomers find jobs, establish businesses, receive training and develop their professional network. I don’t have the words to thank our program mentors enough. Their expertise, dedication, commitment and  honesty made this program success happened. Maher Hamade, Project Manager Diversity Works/Global Experience @Work