Employers across many sectors are facing skill shortages that can be filled by refugees, who bring their talents, resilience and unique perspectives. In response to the recent humanitarian crisis in Syria, BC welcomed over 5,000 refugees, and most of them have settled in Surrey and Abbotsford. Employers in these communities are willing and interested in tapping into this talent pool to meet their skill shortages. However, there is very little information about the skill sets or occupational profiles of refugees, as well as the barriers/challenges faced by employers in connecting to them effectively.
“Mapping Refugee Skills and Employer Needs in Surrey and Abbotsford“ fills this gap by identifying the occupational skills and experience of refugees in Surrey and Abbotsford who are currently seeking employment. The project also uncovers the challenges faced by employers in connecting to the refugee talent pool in these two communities. This initiative, which ran from November 2016 to October 2017, was informed by substantive input from 42 employers in Surrey and Abbotsford, and it maps the skills and occupational profiles of 144 refugees living in these communities.
The implementing partners were DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society, Surrey Board of Trade, Abbotsford Community Services and Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce. It was funded by the Province of British Columbia.
Read the report Executive Summary
Read the report Summary Findings
Project Launch News Release December 7, 2016
Project Wrap-up News Release October 23, 2017