Sarnia Lambton Immigration Task Force Provides Updates on Strategic Action Plans
SARNIA, July 18, 2024 – The Sarnia Lambton Immigration Task Force continues to focus on its mission to strengthen and diversify the community through immigration.
Led by a 35-member Steering Committee comprised of local leaders, industry representatives, and individuals with lived experience, Task Force members say they continue to see the positive impacts of the work being implemented via its four Action Groups.
Established by the Task Force last year, each Action Group focuses on a strategic action plan specific to a sector integral to immigration. These groups have been actively engaged in collaboration with regional employers, institutions, organizations, and community services for the past year. Some key developments that have been initiated so far include:
Employment and Economic Development Action Group
Dedicated to bolstering the workforce and economy by matching employers with international graduates and skilled workers, this group continues to engage with local organizations to identify and address skills shortages in the region. Recent actions include:
- The Newcomer Connection Program, led by The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP), has hosted various events and networking sessions, supporting 450 newcomers and 150 local employers. This initiative has resulted in the creation of 70 new jobs, significantly contributing to the community’s workforce attraction efforts.
- Finalizing an application for a Federal Immigration Pilot aimed at filling in-demand positions within the community. This pilot seeks to attract skilled newcomers to meet the needs of local employers and strengthen the workforce.
Community Action Group
Focusing on the overall success of the community, this group collaborates with local agencies and services to develop strategies that ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment for all residents. Recent initiatives include:
- The Sarnia-Lambton Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) successfully launched the Welcome to Lambton app in collaboration with TMRRW Inc., funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This user-friendly app provides newcomers with access to essential services, resources, and tools to help them settle and fully participate in the Sarnia-Lambton community.
- Lambton County Library, in collaboration with LIP, is integrating immigration assistance services across its 25-library system. This includes increased capacity for English Language Learners (ELL) Community Conversation Circles and enhanced library programs to engage newcomers and their families.
Systems Action Group
Responsible for advocacy work in support of international students and skilled workers, this group continues to address barriers to immigration and promote policies that facilitate the integration of newcomers into the community. Recent highlights include:
- Engaging with the local Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) Sarnia-Lambton chapter to highlight the availability of global talent and newcomers to fill personnel demands. This engagement has successfully demystified the recruitment, retention, and legal considerations of hiring international talent. Similarly, the group also has plans to engage with the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce in August 2024.
- Conducting labour force research under the leadership of the Sarnia-Lambton Workforce Development Board to identify community labour needs and potential matches with global talent.
College Action Group
The College Action Group has been actively collaborating with the business community to showcase the exceptional international students and graduates who choose to call Sarnia-Lambton home. Recent achievements include:
- Leveraging the International Education department’s over 1 million YouTube subscribers, the College recently launched a successful podcast that showcases first-hand accounts of the international student experience at Lambton. Episodes are available online.
- Continuing its support of the International Business Professionals Club, formed by Lambton students in 2023, which offers educational and networking opportunities with local employers in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce. The College has continued to nurture these community-student connections, with the Business Professionals Club hosting four networking events since January 2024.
The Steering Committee provides oversight for the work being done by each Action Group, ensuring that the Task Force’s initiatives align with the broader goals of economic growth, diversity, and inclusion.
Judith Morris, Chair of the Sarnia-Lambton Immigration Task Force said she’s proud of the work that’s been done to date, and that she’s looking forward to building on the group’s progress with continued advocacy, community engagement opportunities, and strategic developments.
“Driving economic growth and sustainability requires driving change in all systems and sectors, and I am so proud to say there have been substantial developments in the foundational work necessary to prepare our community and employers to grow with the addition of skilled newcomers,” she said. “These initiatives will allow us to continue to support international students and attract skilled workers, enriching our community with new perspectives, ideas, and innovation.”
For more information on the Sarnia-Lambton Immigration Task Force, go to lambtoncollege.ca/slitf.
For continued news and updates, be sure to follow the Task Force on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.