Immigration.ca - Canada Immigration News - December 2008
In 2006, “established” immigrants had a harder time finding jobs that utilize their skills and education than they did in 1991, according to a new study by Statistics Canada.
The study examined the job opportunities for immigrants who have been in Canada between 11 and 15 years. The results showed that in 1991, 12 per cent of such male immigrants who held post-secondary degrees were working in low-education jobs. In 2006, that rate was up to 21 per cent. The figures for female immigrants followed a similar trend with rates of 24 and 29 per cent in 1991 and 2006, respectively.
Many experts are not surprised by the findings and have, for years, been calling for changes in Canada’s immigration policies to prevent immigrant educations from going to waste.
One author on the study, Diane Galarneau, warns of possible negative effects a recession could have on the situation. If, due to economic hard times, immigrants are unable to find a job at their skill level upon arrival, the chances of them ever finding one drop over time.
“If they [immigrants] don’t practice right after they’re arriving it’s hard because their skills are deteriorating over time,” said Galarneau. “It’s hard to get into the occupation maybe seven years after their arrival.”
Source: Globe and Mail
