SMEs face unique challenges requiring tailored solutions
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are often underrepresented in settlement programs like employer roundtables, advisory councils, mentoring initiatives, and networking events. While large corporations generally have the resources and structures to engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and effectively leverage immigrant talent, SMEs often face unique challenges. Their smaller scale, varied operational capacities, and limited resources can make it difficult for them to fully participate in such efforts. As a result, their voices and perspectives are often missing from discussions about immigrant employment.
Despite these challenges, SMEs are adopting practices commonly seen in larger organizations like mentorship programs, additional training opportunities, language and communication support, assistance with immigration and settlement processes, and the expansion of employee benefits. However, there remains significant untapped potential to further develop practices that reflect the specific needs and capacities of SMEs.
The Engaging SMEs project was designed to close this gap by engaging SMEs across Canada to better understand their labor market needs and challenges. The project aimed to cocreate innovative, tailored solutions that would enhance SMEs’ ability to access, hire, train, and retain immigrant talent, ensuring that their voices were heard and their unique challenges addressed.
Led by IEC-BC, the project brought together key partners from across the country, including the Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council (CRIEC), Halifax Partnership (HXP), Immploy, Workforce Collective, and the New Brunswick Multicultural Council (NBMC).