Second Learning Session for CIIP Team (April 9, 2008)

In the 2nd learning session, I focused on two topics, just like in the first session.

• Understanding the BC Labour Market: Selected Resources and Sector Analysis
• Work Skills Profile / Inventory

Understanding the BC Labour Market

I used the BC labour market to illustrate the value of doing sector analysis as a way to help the CIIP clients in seeing more career options based on a broad understanding of sectors. The word "industries" and "sectors" are interchangeably used these days in various publications. "Industries" is the more conventional term (especially in terms of NAICS), but "sectors" have also become popular (particularly due to the Sector Councils). Regardless of which term is used, the idea is that by understanding an industry or sector better, the job seeker will be able to identify a broader range of career or occupational options within the industry. At the same time, knowing more about the industry or sector helps the job seeker appreciate the employer needs from a business development perpsective, instead of simply viewing career options from the job seeker's perspective.

Under the context of sector analysis, I introduced the use of mind mapping to help clients "brainstorm" career or occupational options by freely moving between sectors and occupations. Most immigrants are facing career change or transition challenges, and need to be able to envision their future. Combing the tool of mind mapping with a solid understanding of indsutries/sectors, the immigrants will be opened to many more options than they may think.


Building Work Skills Profile / Inventory

The next level of consideration, once the CIIP client is able to envision more career and occupational options, is about "skills" - a self-understanding of their own skills that may be transferrable from one occupation to another, or from one industry to another. We can encourage the clients to start developing their own "skills inventory", which may include both soft and hard skills.

The tools that CIIP counsellors can refer to include:

(For Soft Skills)

• Employability Skills 2000+ and Innovation Skills Profile (Conference Board of Canada)
• Skills Credentialing Tool (SCT) for Individuals
• General Innovation Skills Aptitude Test (GISAT)

(For Hard Skills)
Occupationally-Specific Essential Skills (HRSDC)

Remarks

By introducing the above topics, I am not suggesting that CIIP client counsellors should conduct full "career exploration" with the immigrants. However, it should be useful for the clients to have a glimpse into an approach they can use to start the process of searching for career options. Many of these clients should probably participate in career exploration programs after they have arrived in Canada - before they would even participate in conventional job search programs.