A new project to identify at least 200 skilled refugees from Tanzania and Mexico to Canada through the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) is being launched by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
This project is set to unfold over the next few months and aims to provide the identified individuals with the opportunity to live safely and thrive in their new communities in Canada while directly contributing to the Canadian economy and its cultural diversity.
This helps Canada access durable solutions for skilled refugees while simultaneously filling in-demand jobs to address its labor market needs, according to the news and press release by IRC.
IRC is looking to implement this project in close collaboration with several organizations, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB), and key governmental and private stakeholders.
With UNHR and TBB, it will identify and secure the documentation requisite for skilled refugees to settle in Canada and provide on-the-ground support to connect them with Canadian employers and job opportunities.
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“The expansion of the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) is a pivotal step towards ensuring all individuals are met with the support they need to rebuild their lives,” said Hans Van de Weerd, IRC Senior Vice President for Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration.
“This expansion not only provides a means for refugees to thrive in Canadian society but also directly contributes to the nation’s economy and cultural diversity, exemplifying IRC’s commitment to a comprehensive and effective approach to resettlement.”
TBB’s Canada Director, Lara Dyer, said that “the EMPP not only offers a life-changing opportunity for refugees to rebuild their lives but also enriches the Canadian workforce with a diverse set of sorely needed skills and perspectives.”
“TBB is proud of its role in advocating for the EMPP and for its collaborations with IRC and other partners to expand the program to serve more displaced people. This expansion is a clear demonstration of how refugee labour mobility is reshaping the global approach to resettlement and workforce shortages.”
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The EMPP, which was launched by Ottawa in 2018, provides Canadian employers with the opportunity to access a talent pool of skilled refugees and other displaced people across the world.
For the EMPP, IRCC works with non-government organizations, communities, provinces, and territories across Canada, and the UNHCR.
The following NGOs help and support with hiring through EMPP:
- Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB)
- RefugePoint
- TalentLift
- Jumpstart Refugee Talent
- HIAS
- FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance
- International Rescue Committee
- World University Service of Canada
