City of Mississauga integrates new Canadians into the workforce

With well-established infrastructure and state-of-the-art facilities, Mississauga is considered to be an employer of choice for newcomers since last many years. The City is assisting new residents in seeking employment and integrating within the community through innovative training programs and community partnerships.

Mississauga participates in four programs to assist new immigrants with their search for employment in the workplace, and this participation is coordinated through City’s Human Resources Division. The largest of these programs is the Career Bridge Intern Program supported by Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC), which costs the City to $50,000. This funding is provided to four, four-month, intern placements each year within departments that have opportunities available. In 2006, three out of five interns have secured more permanent work within HR Division.

Other programs the City participates in include (a) The Mentoring Partnership in Peel, which is an alliance of community agencies, and recruits experienced professionals to mentor internationally educated professionals. Mississauga has registered 10 employees as mentors; (b) The Accessible Community Counseling and Employment Services (ACCES) Program that connects employers with well-trained, highly skilled candidates. The City also participates in ACCES programs including Engineering Connections, Talk English Café, and Skills without Borders Conference; and (c) Volunteer Placement Program, which is a Dufferin-Peel Adult Learning Center program for skilled immigrants. The City has provided 11 volunteers with co-operative training for eight full weeks.

Mississauga is Canada’s sixth largest city with a population of more than 700,000. Mississauga is a progressive municipality delivering quality municipal programs and services to its residents. As a vibrant and diverse community, Mississauga is known for its economic strength and for being Canada’s safest city.