Friday, 13 July 2012

Immigrant women come from many countries

The 2006 Census estimated that Canada’s 3.2 million immigrant women came from over 220 countries. The largest proportion of these immigrant women, 9%, reported the United Kingdom as their place of birth, followed by the People’s Republic of China (8%), India (7%) and the Philippines (5%).
Of the total female immigrant population, 18% landed recently between 2001 to 2006, coming mainly from Asia. Among recent immigrant women, the largest share came from the People’s Republic of China (15% or 84,700 individuals), followed by India (11% or 65,900 individuals) and the Philippines (8% or 43,700 individuals).
The source of Canada’s immigrants has shifted over the years. In 1971, Europe was the birthplace of 61% of recent immigrant women (Chart 4); by 2006, recent immigrant women came mainly from Asia and the Middle East (59%).
Also in 2006, there was a slight increase in the proportion of recent immigrant women who came from Central and South America and the Caribbean, 11% compared with 9% in 2001. The top three countries of birth of recent immigrant women from these regions were Colombia (2.3% or 13,200 individuals), Mexico (1.5% or 8,900) and Haiti (1.0% or 6,000).
Although relatively small, the proportion of recent immigrant women from Africa also increased slightly in 2006, to 10% compared with 8% in 2001. In comparison, women born in Africa who immigrated to Canada in the later part of the 1960s comprised only 3% of recent immigrants in 1971.
This shift in the source of immigration to Canada since the 1970s was due to a number of factors, such as changes in Canada’s immigration programs to build on social, humanitarian and economic goals and international events affecting the movements of migrants and refugees.
Source: 2006 Census and administrative data.  

The population trend of immigrant women mirrors that of the total immigrant population. In 2006, the total immigrant population also made up about one-fifth (19.8%) of the total population, the highest proportion since 1931.
From 2001 to 2006, Canada’s population of immigrant women grew by 14%; this growth rate was four times faster than that for Canadian-born women, which increased by 3.4%.
Canada’s female population grew by 840,000 from 2001 to 2006. During that period, about 579,800 women immigrated to Canada, accounting for 69% of the growth of the female population.
If Canada’s current immigration trend continues, by 2031, the country could have about 11.1 million immigrants. Slightly over one half of them (52.3%, or 5.8 million) would be women, who would then make up 27.4% of Canada’s total female population, according to Statistics Canada’s population projections.
Source: Statistics Canada, censuses of population, 1911 to 2006; Projections of the Diversity of the Canadian Population, 2006 to 2031; The Longitudinal Immigration Database; and the Labour Force Survey.

What motivates immigrants to invest time and money, and sometimes even to go into debt, to pursue post secondary education in Canada? While the motives differ from one individual to another, they are often not unrelated to problems associated with recent immigrants’ integration into the labour market: partial or no recognition of experience and credentials acquired abroad, lack of local experience, language barrier, weak social networks and differences in the quality of education depending on country of origin.

Source: Longitudinal Administrative Databank (LAD) and the Longitudinal Immigration Database (IMDB).      

My Answer:
Immigrant come with old values of the old country - that education is the key to success and sometimes it is but a lot of time education does not do it.  You might have a lot of degrees and still cannot find that job or you find a job and you get into the workplace and people treat you like dirt,
Immigrants must start thinking outside of the box to succeed in North America - starting businesses, being your own boss is one way and many immigrants do this as a sign of failed attempt to get into the paid workforce rather than an intentional attempt, real estate, use the skills you have to create opportunities for yourselves.
A university education costs a lot of money and you go into heavy debt to repay it  and sometimes you can't because you end up with low paying jobs that does not allow you to repay the loan.
     Education can pay big dividends in the professions e.g. doctor, lawyer, engineers, accountants etc. but not everyone has the stamina nor the intellectual capacity for such things.
     Lucrative jobs also includes jobs in crafts such as carpentry, masonry, electrical technicians - once you graduate from such programs you are assure a job or you can create your own. Many immigrant see jobs like these as low call and beneath them - well these are the jobs that pays - pushing paper don't pay much these days so think about that.

Friday, 6 July 2012

Upcoming Interpreter Training Opportunities - Winnipeg

Interpreter Trainees – Fall Training Session 2012
WRHA Language Access Interpreter Services
We are currently seeking individuals interested in becoming trained interpreters and are fluent in English and one or more of the following languages:
consist of a centralized pool of trained interpreters (casual employees) who are scheduled on an as-needed basis to work with service providers and limited/non-English speakers in a variety of healthcare and non-healthcare settings. These include hospitals, health clinics, private residences, personal care homes, long term care facilities, as well as a variety of other settings such as provincial courts and federal correctional institutions. Vietnamese (female applicants will be prioritized)
Applications are currently being accepted for the

Successful completion of the ILSAT/CILISAT and the training program are prerequisites for the possibility of being offered casual employment opportunities with
    WRHA Language Access Interpreter Services. QUALIFICATIONS
  1. Demonstrated fluency in English and another language (speaking, listening, reading), and demonstrated interpreter skills (successful ILSAT or CILISAT assessment)
  2. High school diploma or equivalent
  3. Flexible schedule with daytime availability
  4. Available to attend unpaid 72-hr training (successful completion of the training is a job requirement)
  5. Ability to use information technology (Internet, E-mail); daily access to computer
  6. Successful criminal record check and child abuse registry check
  7. ASSETS
    1. Strong interpersonal, organizational and problem-solving skills
    2. Ability to work in stressful and sensitive situations with limited supervision
    3. Post-secondary education in target language
    4. Prior interpreting experience, preferably in health care and/or social services
    5. Knowledge of medical terminology, health references and resources
    6. Commitment to ongoing professional development
    7. Valid driver’s license and use of a vehicle
    8. WRHA Interpreter Training session scheduled for September/October 2012 (exact dates and times to be confirmed). This unpaid 72-hour training is offered at no cost to participants (funded by Integration Services Branch – Manitoba Immigration and Multiculturalism). In addition to the qualifications and assets listed below, training eligibility includes successful completion of the interpreter language and skills assessment (ILSAT/CILISAT). Candidates wishing to undergo the ILSAT/CILISAT testing are required to pay a $45 administration fee (fee subject to change without notice).

      Tuesday, 3 July 2012

      A primer on Credit Card

      When newcomers arrive one of the things they are told is to establish a credit rating and you do that by borrowing money, or buying something on credit and repay bit by bit then you establish credit rating. The more you borrow and repay the higher your credit rating.  However, some can fall into a trap of borrowing because as many say, it does not feel like real money until it is time to pay back.
      This article came into my email this morning and I found it interesting enough to pass it on to you. Hope you find it interesting.
                                ****************************************************8


      WHEN "taking advantage" of a too-good-to-be-true promotion, really, really read the fine print.
      Katie Ross, education and development manager for American Consumer Credit Counselling highlights five credit card fine print traps that you don't want to fall for. [More from Forbes: Why student debit cards are wolves in sheep's clothing]
      THE 0% INTRODUCTORY APR
      Most 0% APR offers are for balance transfers only. Any new purchases or cash advances will be subject to a much higher interest rate. If the offer does include new purchases, the rate typically expires very quickly, says Ross. Also, you only get the 0% APR if the card issuer decides you are worthy enough to receive it (good credit standing usually) — typically you don't find out your APR until after the card is issued.
      What the fine print says: If your monthly payment is late one time, the 0% APR jumps (depending on the card, it may even have multiple options to which the card issuer can choose on their own will, like 12.99% or 15.99%). Two late payments and you likely will be charged the APR ceiling of 29.99%. [More from Forbes: Top 10 credit card choices from college to retirement]
      LATE FEES
      Not only can the card issuer double your APR because of a late fee, but they can also charge you late/penalty fees.
      What the fine print says: Card issuers can charge different fees depending on the "price" of the late payment (how much was due) or how much you have run over your credit limit — this can range anywhere from $15-$39, says Ross. Each time you are late the card issuer can reset your APR to the default APR or ceiling APR. [More from Forbes: 10 things you should know before buying a gift card]
      FIXED RATES
      Credit card issuers can change the interest they charge to lend you money at any time and unfortunately for whatever reason they want, says Ross. The term "fixed APR" gives you the right to be notified if the lender changes the interest for reasons other than those specified in their terms (for example, the card issuer doesn't have to let you know if your introductory period has ended.).
      What the fine print says: "We reserve the right to unilaterally change the rates, fees, cost, and other terms at any reason," Ross offers as an example from a credit card statement. [More from Forbes: A study ranks the top cash-back credit cards]
      INACTIVITY AND ANNUAL FEES
      You've seen all those offers, "No annual fees". Some people straightaway make the conclusion that the credit card wont cause them a penny for ownership, says Ross. But the truth is, issuers now impose an annual fee if you don't reach a set level of annual spending, she adds. These fees usually range from $35-$50. With a rewards card, you should ensure that the benefits of the mileage or points program outweigh the cost of the annual fee.
      What the fine print says: The annual fees for the credit card will be waived for the first year. Thereafter the annual fee will be $45 for the Basic Card. And if you default on repayments for a certain period, the Annual fees will apply instantly, she ward. Any waivers, or benefits will cease instantly.
      MINIMUMS
      While you won't find info about paying the minimum on your disclosure statement, you will on your actual statements. However, unless you pay your bills the old fashioned way, snail mail, you may not catch this one. Online payment typically provides a link to "Minimum Payment Warning" but who knows how many people actually read it. Very small payments on a loan mean you will spend a very long time paying the loan, thus paying way more for something than it was actually worth because of interest charges. "It's to the credit issuer's advantage to keep you indebted as long as possible." [More from Forbes: Bad news: Credit card debt is down]
      What the fine print says: Each card can be different, but generally speaking, the minimum payment is simply a set percentage of your balance. Some cards are as low as finance charges plus 1% while others may base the minimum amount upwards of 4-5% of the balance. But more important than that, know that often only making the minimum payment every month will take you approximately four times as longer than making a fixed payment, wasting money on interest and carrying debt for a longer period of time, says Ross.
      When it comes to credit cards, always think yellow light — proceed with caution.

      jobs

      English as an Additional Language Teachers – Fort Richmond & Downtown Locations
      Job Posting
      Job Overview
      The EAL teacher is responsible for planning and implementing English as an additional language classes for newcomer adult learners.
       Role and Responsibilities
      • Plan and teach settlement focused lessons each week to a group of adult learners
      • Plan course content based on results of student needs assessment
      • Implement collaborative language portfolio assessment (CLPA) for each learner
      • Assess participants’ language learning and settlement needs on an ongoing basis
      • Provide information, referral, bridging and support services to assist participants to access other community resources and programs
      • Assess student progress and prepare reports based on Canadian Language Benchmarks
      • Work co-operatively with the on-site child care staff and co-ordinator to provide support to parents and their children when necessary
      Qualifications
      • Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate from a TESL Canada certified institution
      • Undergraduate degree
      • Experience teaching Canadian Language Benchmark Stage I students, in a multi-level environment. Experience teaching Foundations preferred for Knox position
      • Knowledge of the Canadian Language Benchmarks
      • Experience working with adult immigrant learners
      • Knowledge of and sensitivity to the settlement process for newcomers
      Job Details
      • Location 1:      Immanuel Fellowship Church – 828 Silverstone Avenue - Fort Richmond
      • Levels:             CLB 2-4
      • Schedule 1:     Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:15 – 11:15 + meeting time
      • Location 2:      Knox United Church – 400 Edmonton Street - Downtown
      • Levels:             Literacy – CLB 1
      • Schedule 2:     Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 1:15 – 3:15 + meeting time
       Salary:             $37.98 per hour to start

      How to Apply

      Please email or mail your résumé and cover letter by Wednesday, July 11, 2012 to:

      Val Cavers

      Mosaic – Newcomer Family Resource Network

      101 – 583 Ellice Avenue
      Winnipeg, MB R3B 1Z7

      Job-vacancy

      Daniel McIntyre/ St. Matthews Community Association, DMSMCA, is currently seeking a Coordinator for the new West Central/West Broadway Bed Bug Prevention and Outreach Program.  This is a collaborative initiative between DMSMCA, the Spence Neighbourhood Association (SNA), West Broadway Community Organization (WBCO), Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY) and New Journey Housing (NJH) to deliver a community level promotional and educational program  to reduce the spread of bed bug infestations in the West Central and West Broadway Neighbourhoods.

      Please find the job posting attached.

      The deadline for submissions is Friday, July 14th, at 4:00 p.m.  Please send a cover letter and resume to:

       Kemlin Nembhard
      Executive Director
      Daniel McIntyre / St. Matthews Community Association
      823 Ellice Avenue
      Winnipeg, MB  R3G 0C3