Employer Needs - Focus Group Invitation

Your input and opinion is important to us!
 
The Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce and the Surrey Board of Trade have partnered with the Immigrant Employment Council of BC (IEC-BC) to undertake a research project to assist the integration of refugees into our local economies. Launched in December 2016, Mapping Employer Needs in Abbotsford & Surrey is a community based initiative to help connect refugee talent with job opportunities.
 
This is an invitation to participate in upcoming focus groups with employers from our community to discuss connecting local refugees with employers. Three (3) focus group sessions have been planned the week of April 3rd to be hosted by the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce.  

•    April 3, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
•    April 4, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
•    April 4, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Please email allan@abbotsfordchamber.com to confirm your participation no later than March 27, 2017. We ask that you indicate your availability for each of the three scheduled sessions. This will help us balance the three sessions in terms of numbers and representation. Additional information and details will be forwarded to confirmed participants prior to the focus group sessions.  

Project Background:
A key component of this project is to consult with local employers to discuss the following themes:

•     Economic sectors experiencing skills shortages and/or job openings
•     Challenges employers face recruiting and hiring refugees
•     Strategies to help connect refugee talent with job opportunities

Intended outcomes of the focus groups are as follow:

•     Employers understand the Mapping project goals
•     Employers share their experiences, challenges/barriers and successful practices connecting with and employing refugees
•     Employers offer their own strategies and respond to other identified strategies for connecting refugees and employers

Abbotsford employers targeted for participation in the focus groups are:

•     Small and medium-sized employers - up to 250 employees
•     Includes not-for-profit, public sector employers
•     Includes employers who hire workers on a part-time, seasonal or contract basis
•     Includes some employers with experience recruiting/hiring refugees and other immigrants

Economic sectors specifically targeted for potentially employing refugees:

•     Accommodation & Food
•     Business, Building & Other Services
•     Health Care (support services)
•     Professional & Scientific
•     Transportation & Warehousing
•     Agriculture
•     Construction
•     Manufacturing

Thank you for considering this important request. Your input and feedback is essential to assisting the refugee integration process in Abbotsford.