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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Career Mentorship Program?

The Career Mentorship program, developed and managed by the Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC), offers the Edmonton business community a practical, interactive vehicle for putting the skills and expertise of the global talent in our community to work at levels that reflect the individuals training, education and experience outside Canada.

For details, please visit Career Mentorship Program.

What are the requirements for mentors?

Mentors are established professionals in their field, interested and eager to share their experience and knowledge with a mentee.

A Mentor:

• is willing to set aside time to develop a supportive professional relationship with a mentee
• has active links to professional associations (if appropriate) and networks
• is encouraging, supportive, flexible and empowering
• is interested in professional development
• has 24 hours over 4 months to commit to a mentoring relationship (about 1.5 hours/week)

For more information, please visit Be a mentor.

What are the requirements for a mentee candidate?

A Mentee:

• is a permanent resident or landed immigrant
• is actively searching for work
• has job-ready levels of English (CLB 7 or higher)
• is unemployed or underemployed
• has education and 2+ years of experience in their field outside of Canada
• OR is changing careers in Canada and has the education to support the change
• has limited or no work experience in their field in Canada
• is willing to get their educational qualifications assessed (e.g. IQAS)
• has attended a resume and job search workshop
• has time to commit to a mentoring relationship

For more information, please visit Be a mentee.

How to apply to the Career Mentorship Program?

Mentees and mentors are welcome from most professions. There are three intakes a year: Spring, Summer and Fall.

Mentees must meet the outlined eligibility criteria. To apply to participate as a mentee, please complete a Mentee Sign Up Form on line.

To apply to participate as a mentor, please contact ERIEC at 780–497-8866 or info@eriec.ca and complete a Mentor Sign Up Form on line.

Mentee Frequently Asked Questions

For the mentee frequently asked questions, please refer Mentee FAQs.

Mentor Frequently Asked Questions

For the mentor frequently asked questions, please refer Mentor FAQs.

What is the Speed Career Networking?

The Speed Career Networking is an initiative of the Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC) and Bredin Institute Centre for Learning.

The objective of the speed career networking is to create a culture of mentoring in the Edmonton region and scale up career development opportunities available for internationally trained professionals in the region. The initiative builds on the knowledge and experiences of both organizations who successfully deliver mentoring and other skill-building programs for internationally trained professionals.

For more information, please visit Speed Career Networking.

What is the Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC)?

• Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC), is an industry-led not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring immigrants are welcomed and participate in the economy to their full potential.

Why does Edmonton need such an initiative?

• It is generally known that Edmonton will be largely dependent on internationally trained individuals for its labour force growth.
• Sectors such as manufacturing, finance and oil and gas are already experiencing critical need for skilled employees.
• While Edmonton’s population growth is expected to slow in the coming years, its population is aging and baby boomers are retiring in large numbers.
• A low birth rate and youth out-migration add to concerns about labour force shortages in the years ahead.
• Attracting, recruiting and retaining immigrants into the workplace are critical for Edmonton to overcome current and future need for both the skilled and unskilled workforce.
• The absence of a clear pathway to immigrant employment will lead Edmonton’s businesses to deal with the looming skills shortage without an effective human resources strategy.
• Edmonton needs initiatives like ERIEC to bring stakeholders together to create awareness and develop strategies for the benefit of the regional economy and economic and social life of its residents.

How will this initiative benefit immigrants and employers?

• This initiative will develop innovative, effective and sustainable employment strategies and solutions that will lead to effective immigrant labour market integration.
• This initiative will assist employers overcome their skills shortages by implementing effective human resources strategies and solutions for a better tomorrow.

How will this initiative benefit Edmonton region?

• The successful implementation of innovative, effective and sustainable employment strategies will have a positive impact on Edmonton’s economy and the economic and social life of the residents.
• With skills in business, administration, engineering, healthcare and many other disciplines, these well-educated and experienced individuals will be a highly prized asset to local employers and the communities in which they settle.
• Multilingual employees with knowledge of local cultural preferences in many other countries can assist Alberta firms in opening up new markets and selling their products and services around the world.
• They are also well equipped to serve a domestic market that encompasses increasingly diverse and multilingual populations.

Is ERIEC duplicating other services?

ERIEC will not be duplicating services. ERIEC is different because it does not deliver direct services. It aims to further enhance the quality of services that community organizations already deliver to immigrants by:

• Developing innovative and sustainable employment strategies with the active leadership of employers to address the needs of both employers and immigrants.
• Creating a regional environment of collaboration in the delivery of effective and innovative labour market integration programs for immigrants through service providers across the Edmonton region.