First CIIP Team Learning Session (March 28, 2008)

As consultant, I am required to develop a "work plan" for the 3 months I am here with CIIP Guangzhou. Based on my preliminary understanding of the service delivery model and feedback from the client counsellors, I have come up with a list of potential learning topics that will be delivered through a number of sessions. This list is organic and can be modified during my collaboration with the team. In between sessions, learning can be tested in the team's day-to-day service of the clients. We will then decide what works and what does not, and can be addressed in upcoming sessions. This dynamic process of learning and application should inform the CIIP team very well and allows them to create a "learning process" that parallels the "service process".

In the beginning of the first Learning Session, I shared the list of potential topics with the team and got their endorsement. The list will form the backbone of future learning sessions.

• Starting Points: An Employment Trip Planner
• Framing the Face-to-Face Session: Client Engagement, SMART Goal Setting, and Crafting Career Transition
• Understanding the BC Labour Market: Selected Resources and Sector Analysis
• Resource & Information Management
• Skills Profile / Inventory
• Group Presentation and Facilitation
• English upgrading
• Standards and Guidelines for CDPs

The two topics addressed in this session were Starting Points and Framing the Face-to-Face Session.

1. Starting Points

"Starting Points" is a group assessment tool that can be used to assist clients in identifying their roadblocks(barriers) and stopovers (solutions) during their employment trip. The metaphor of the "journey" should work very well with immigrants, who are embarking on their own journeys of settling in a new country. Besides working on their roadblocks and stopovers, the clients will also review their own assets and take away with an "asset suitcase" (including skills, values, educational background, etc.) In the end, the clients will commit to an action plan that takes into account the identified roadblocks and stopovers.

The CIIP client counsellors were encouraged to consider how Starting Points could help them enhance the LMI group session.

2. Framing Face-to-Face Session

I introduced the concept of "SMART goals" (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time sensitive) and suggested that instead of simply conveying more information during the one-on-one session (on top of the group session), the counsellor could work with the client in determining SMART goals. Such an approach is an appropriate continuation of using Starting Points in the group session, and may enhance the existing practice of creating the IIP with the client.

In conjunction with SMART goals, I also briefly explained the practice of "active engagement", an innovative counselling approach developed by Dr. Norm Amundson (from the University of British Columbia). Goal setting is more meaningful and sustainable when the client is actively engaged in the process, instead of just relying on the counsellor to offer most of the advice. I made the point that if the client could be actively engaged from the very beginning (i.e. before the group session), the whole process could become much more collaborative.

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References used:

Starting Points: Finding Your Route To Employment, M. Westwood, N. Amundson, W. Borgen, 1994
Bridge to Your Future, Employment Readiness Assessment Tool for Skilled Immigrants, Sheila Wallace and Associates, 2004 (http://comserv.bc.ca/bridges)
Active Engagement and the Influence of Constructivism, N. Amundson, 2004

CIIP China's Service Delivery Model

My first week with CIIP Guangzhou was a fruitful one. By having conversations with the client counsellors, I was able to understand the "service delivery model" of the office. At the core of their service are the full-day LMI group sessions and individual face-to-face sessions (next day) with the clients. There is a lot of individual attention given to the clients during the service process.

The work flow begins with registrations arriving via mail or fax (as client signatures are required to initiate the process). After client registrations are processed, the counsellors contact (by phone) the clients to conduct a preliminary needs assessment - destination, time of departure, career goals, English levels, etc. This basic profile is the basis for the counsellor to compile a customized information package for the client. The information package is used during the individual face-to-face session with the client after the completion of the group session. Its content mainly addresses occupational options, language upgrading, and settlement topics. The package contains a lot of details, compiled from various online information sources, including the Working in Canada portal (an essential tool for the counsellors).

The LMI group session is anchored by a very detailed and informative PowerPoint presentation (currently with over 140 slides) that covers the labour market in Canada (and specific provinces), basic job search techniques, education and training, and other career related topics. There is a lot of information for the clients to absorb.

Not every client attends the LMI session. Some cannot attend because of distance, while others will leave for Canada before the next available session. In those situations, the counsellors will try to arrange for a face-to-face session or at least a phone session. For those who can only do a phone session, the customized information package is emailed to them in advance so that it can be used during the session.

While Guangzhou is the base, the service is also delivered in Beijing and Shanghai at this time. The same model is used, but the client counsellors have to travel to the two cities and use the facility of an employer partner, such as BMO or RBC.

In general, this service delivery model is well designed to balance the client needs and the resources of the Guangzhou office. The individual attention given to the clients - through the initial needs assessment to the information package to the one-on-one meeting - takes up most of the time and effort of the clients, making the service very approachable to the clients. On the other hand, the sustainability of this approach will be tested as the number of clients continues to increase. The service will then have to adjust its focus with a higher client volume.

Arriving in Guangzhou

The 13.5-hour flight from Vancouver to Hong Kong was very long, as I was more used to 11 or so hours of air time in the past. And the fact that the Air Canada plane was old and service was below standard added to my agony. The transit in HK was smooth, and I only had to wait for an hour before boarding a Southern China Airplane to fly another 40 minutes to Guangzhou.

Harold Goldin, Manager of CIIP China, picked me up at the airport. In less than an hour, we were sitting in the apartment unit where I would spend the next 3 months of my time here.

The weather is nice at this time of the year. The temperate ranges from 15 to 22, so it's very comfortable. I hope this period will last as long as it can.

CIIP China's office is located in a central commercial area, with many office buildings and major hotels around. It is convenient to shop around for daily necessities, and there is no lack of restaurant choices. I can easily survive the next 3 months without going out of this area. On the other hand, Guangzhou is a huge city with many interesting places to go. I will take time to explore its many attractions.

Where is Gunagzhou?

Gunagzhou is the provincial capital of the Province of Guangdong, China. For much of China's history, the city has been an important trade and industrial centre. Today, it is one of the most developed economic regions in the country, attracting visitors from all over the world.

Guangzhou is also part of the larger industrially and commercially thriving region that includes Hong Kong, Shenzhen and many fast developing cities and townships in its vicinity. While enjoying great economic success, Guangzhou is challenged by a fast growing population and deteriorating environmental conditions (such as air pollution). Its future lies in a better balance between economic development and environmental stewardship, testing the wisdom of the city government and its 6-million plus citizens.

Map of China


















The CIIP Office is located in the Office Tower of the Guangdong International Hotel.