A new immigrant’s passage to Canada is both an exciting and challenging experience. To rise into this diverse and dynamic country, specific foundational competencies must be identified and developed for successful immersion into the professional and personal way of life. This article examines five key competencies that may make a significant difference in the successful settlement and satisfaction of a newcomer to life in Canada.
- Communication Skills
First of all, good communication skills are the guarantee of any kind of workplace and social life success. Newbies should improve their language knowledge through classroom attendance or self-study activities, practice locally used phrases and idiomatic expressions, and presentation and public speaking skills. Good communication helps not only in productivity matters but contributes much to establishing good relations with co-workers, clients, and the social community.
- Intercultural Literacy
Intercultural competence plays an important role in the multi-cultural setting of Canada. Understanding and being able to manage the workplace culture is very important for fit-in and career development in Canada. It is about understanding what is expected at the workplace, taking part in chit-chat to establish interpersonal relations, acquiring cultural sensitivity and awareness, and using different communication modalities. As intercultural literacy grows so do comfort levels in new environments that can help reduce misunderstandings.
- Networking and Relationship Building
The third essential competency is networking and relationship building. Networking plays a privileged role in Canada in promoting professional growth as well as in offering avenues for social integration, since studies have shown that 70% to 80% of all job opportunities are discovered through networking. Settlement services urge newcomers to attend industry networking events, join professional associations, use social media like LinkedIn, and seek mentorship opportunities. In addition to accessing job opportunities, networking provides important details on both the specificities of Canadian work culture and everyday social relations.
- Adaptability and Flexibility
The fourth important competency is adaptability and flexibility. The Canadian labour market and society keep on changing; this is a fact that immigrants must acknowledge and be receptive to new experiences. It means learning new skills and technologies, being open to constructive feedback, keeping up-to-date about issues in their profession and what is happening in Canada, and being open to a number of career options and possibilities.
- Career Development Skills
Ultimately, the development of the skills one needs to be successful professionally becomes the most important. The newcomers should be responsible for their own professional development through the job market and the relevant field, resume and cover letter writing, interviews, and continuous improvement via courses and workshops. Career counselling and specific programs for newcomers may also be very helpful and can provide them with numerous insights and tips on how to work within the Canadian job market and the self.
At Workright, we realize the very different challenges faced by new residents and offer a wide range of programs for new residents in developing these essential skills. Our courses and workshops give insight and knowledge that will enable newcomers to find relevant employment in the Canadian workplace and allow them to settle into society much easier. Whether it be improving their English, learning about Canadian workplace culture, or even making business connections, Workright is here to pave the way for each newcomer throughout their journey.
For those interested in learning more about Workright’s offerings, please visit https://workright.ca/fromafar/. Additionally, our “Surviving and Thriving in Canada” course, designed to assist new immigrants in developing key competencies, can be found at https://training.workright.ca/learn/public/learning_plan/view/72/surviving-and-thriving-in-canada.
Don’t let the struggles of something new stop you. Workright is here to support you in reaching your goals and settling in. Success is not a destination but rather a journey. Building the five identified competencies in this text, along with an attitude of learning, will provide one with resilience when it comes to settling into the diverse inclusivity of Canadian life.
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