The population of Canada will begin shrinking by the year 2030 according to a new study by Ipsos Reid. In addition, the percentage of the population in retirement is increasing. Census numbers suggest that in 2006 one in seven people was over the age of 65. By 2030, some estimates suggest it could be one in four.
Putting the future aside for the moment, we know currently that "75% of organizations believe that there is a talent shortage in Canada but only 1% report being prepared."
Clearly, to support our aging population, to sustain our economy and to fill skills gaps in our shrinking workforce, immigration will have to play an ever increasing role in the coming decades. With similar shifts in demographics in almost all western countries, the UK, and USA are no longer our top sources of talent and immigration. China, India & the Philippians have become far greater resources to us here in Canada than any other countries and represent the top 3 sources of immigration to Canada. Right now, Toronto leads the way with 49% of its citizens now originally born in a foreign country.
With this shift in culture it means that our workforce is becoming more and more diverse. In addition to the importance of having our domestic businesses understand the cultural implication of this demographic wave, we will all need to understand the dynamics of relocating the best of the global mobile workforce to Canada in order to stand out in the global marketplace.
If you were emigrating for employment, imagine the stress of trying to orchestrate moving to a foreign country in a different time zone, with a different language and northern climate with little or no understanding of the complexities of the journey you are about to embark on? Imagine that the company you are working for leaves you with the responsibility of managing the transition yourself and on top of a new job, you have little or no certainty about where you will live at the same time?
As corporate housing providers, we work with companies every day to accommodate relocating employees however we also work regularly with individuals whose companies don't provide them any guidance or support at all who leave their new workers bewildered in a strange land.
Because of this problem, there is an increased need for corporate mobility specialists to support new skilled immigrants to Canada. These are individual who understand the key needs of an employee who has chosen to leave their country to take a position abroad and works closely with them and us to ensure that their relocation goes smoothly. Some companies do not recognize the need for this kind of support or chose to cut costs in the area of transition support however, this may be a costly mistake.
Relocation is an expensive endeavor for a company but the employee herself has invested her whole life in the success of this decision. She has left her country, family, friends and security in hopes that this opportunity will be worth it. When our team works with a mobility specialist they are able to relay to us important details about the arriving guest and provide us with a list of items that may make them feel comfortable and welcome. The employees' first impression of their new position starts the minute they turn the key to their corporate accommodations. If she feels that her company understood her requirements by providing her with the right relocation support and accommodation she immediately feels welcome.
The changing face of our global workforce challenges us all; for the hiring company, the challenge is to understand their relocating employees needs, culture and customs. Our job, as providers of Corporate Housing, is to make the first stop after arriving in Canada a welcoming one. To allow workers from other countries to feel welcome and at home as they acclimatize to new surroundings, language and culture.
These are interesting times both locally and nationally, and as Canada's number one coast to coast accommodations provider we are excited to be a part of the process. If there is anything we can do to assist your company with relocating your global workforce we would be delighted to work with you to welcome them. www.premieresuites.com
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Jennifer Cross
Managing Partner
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