Customized Career Resources for Newcomers Dr. Roberta Neault, CCC, CCDP, GCDF-i, Dr. Deirdre Pickerell, CHRP, GCDF-i Presented by:

Agenda Setting the Scene Getting Started The Product Lessons Learned Challenges

SETTING THE SCENE

Career Development in Manitoba

Nine Key Topics Application Forms Career Planning Career Portfolios Cover Letters Interviews Job Search Strategies Recognizing Prior Learning Resumes Success in the Workplace

Project Resources Client Guides Practitioner Guides PowerPoints Facilitator’s Guide

Client Guides Topical ContentActivities and ExamplesThings to Remember / AvoidClient “Cases”

Project Timeline Original Project RFP Resource Development Product Launch Need for Customized Resources Identified Late 2011 / Early

Challenges for Immigrants Credential recognition Complex system of regulatory bodies Under- employment $3 billion annual cost to Canadian economy Language Unrealistic assessment of skills Accent issues Lack of specific business terminology Discrimination Ethnicity Culture Religion Politics

ManitobaStart Pre-Arrival PlanningArrival ServicesEmployment ProgramsDevelopment ProgramsManitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)Diversity and Intercultural Training

Timeline Initial Consultation Sept 2013 Project Start Oct 2013 Foundational Components Nov 2013 Resource Development Nov 2013 to Mar 2014 Training Mar 2014 Final Development Apr 2014

GETTING STARTED

Our Emphasis transition challenges Support international experience Value career alternatives Explore optimism and hope Foster plain language Use patronizing content/language Avoid pre-arrival activities Provide

An Inclusive Approach Edit & Finalize Provide Training Get Feedback DraftConsult

Foundational Components Environmental Scan Original Resources Style Guide Client Profiles / Artefacts

THE PRODUCT

A Newcomers Guide to... Understanding Change and Transition Career Planning Effective Work Search Writing Resumes Building a Career Portfolio Writing Cover Letters Completing Applications Outstanding Interviews Success in the Workplace

Meet the “Clients” Amira Khan Mahesh Kumar Gabriela Goldberg Liang Li Donna Santos Omar Abadi

Exploring the Tools

Project Challenges

Emergent Vision New guide Added resources Scope Creep 25 pages becomes 85 Length Gov’t departments working on similar topics Duplication

Client Stories Six “clients” to tell hundreds of stories Using “real” examples while honouring confidentiality Developing artefacts“Aging” client

Multiple Stakeholders ManitobaStart Manitoba Labour and Immigration Career Development Sector Other Gov’t Departments

Dual Focus Customization of Existing Material Development of New Content

Terminology and Approaches Career AlternativesOpportunitiesPaths Pre- Immigration

LESSONS LEARNED

Next Steps PilotReviseFinalize

For More Information... ment.ca/CDI/career_practiti oners.html