MEDIA RELEASE

Research in your Community: BVC to assess employer and immigrant workforce needs

February 7, 2012

CALGARY — Immigrants will play a pivotal role in rounding out the Alberta workforce as the province moves towards impending labour market shortages in key areas. Bow Valley College (BVC) is embarking on research across southern Alberta that will help inform strategies to develop the province's immigrant workforce.

The Development of the Immigrant Workforce in Smaller Communities and Rural Alberta research study will examine the training, education, and career development needs of immigrant populations in ten communities across southern Alberta: Airdrie, Banff, Black Diamond, Canmore, Chestermere, Cochrane, High River, Okotoks, Strathmore, and Turner Valley.

"Immigrants are a vital component of the provincial and federal governments' strategies to meet the growing demand for labour in Canada," says Anna Kae Todd, BVC's Vice-president Learning.

"As the region's only comprehensive community college, it's our role to assess and work with community partners to address the needs of newcomers to Canada to help them gain rewarding careers and continue to contribute in their communities."

Between February and May 2012, BVC will focus on collecting feedback from newcomers to Canada, service providers, employers, and any interested community members. The College will be conducting consultations and interviews with individuals to determine the programs, services and training opportunities that will better serve immigrant populations and employers in the region.

BVC would like to hear from individuals in or surrounding the ten priority communities listed above. Interested participants can visit www.bowvalleycollege.ca/thefuture to learn how to get involved.

Once the research is complete, BVC will synthesize the data and unveil the results at a conference in Cochrane on September 20, 2012.

"We look forward to sharing our findings with mayors, town councils, community leaders, provincial and federal government representatives, and members of the general public. Together we'll engage in a collaborative discussion about how to best meet the needs of immigrants and employees in our region," says Todd.

This research is funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the Government of Alberta, and Bow Valley College.