Recruit, Retain and Create a Space of Belonging Conference on March 26 in Humboldt is a chance for employers, business owners and job seekers to connect and find out more about pathways to work for newcomers. The conference has several different areas of focus, explains Eilish McAnally, project manager for Connecting Grids Regional Immigration Partnership. 

One of those topics is Gender Based Analysis or GBA+ which looks at inclusion and diversity in employment and organizations.  

“It also involves SINP, the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program and LMIA or Labour Market Impact Assessment,” explains McAnally. “These are two pathways that immigrants can follow to work in Saskatchewan.” 

Employers and community leaders can gain a deeper understanding of the two programs for recruiting and hiring. Newcomer job seekers can find out more about the various categories in the nominee program that could lead to both employment and eventual citizenship. The Labour Market Impact Assessment is a necessary step for employers to take in securing newcomers as workers in available positions.  

“We recognize that there is a gap in education on these matters,” McAnally says. “There are clients that can fall between the cracks or who are exploited, so it’s vital for everyone to be educated on the pathways.  

The GBA+ component is important in creating and maintaining a safe space for co-workers, employees and community members, she adds. 

“In creating that safe space, it also helps retain people not only in a workspace but in the communities.” 

The conference was made possible through a cross-Canada call for proposals and the resulting grants from the GBA+ National Capacity Project, in turn funded by Immigration Refugee Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Connecting Grids Regional Immigration Partnership works in conjunction with the Humboldt Regional Newcomer Centre under the umbrella of the Saskatchewan Association of Immigrant Settlement and Integration Agencies.  

One of the activities will be the March Games, developed to explore racism and biases that students experience in schools and demonstrating paths to dismantling those prejudices.  

The event is happening at the Uniplex Convention Centre, and it is entirely free for interested parties to attend. The event starts with breakfast at 8:15 am and a noon hour lunch which is provided. Sessions go throughout the day.  

Pre-registration is open until March 22. For more details, connect through the Humboldt Regional Newcomer Centre Facebook page.