In an effort to bring Internationally Educated Professionals together with the Winnipeg business community, the University of Winnipeg’s Bridge Program for Internationally Educated IT Professionals (IEITP) is hosting a networking evening on May 11, 2011.
As you may be aware, immigration is a key strategy for meeting Manitoba’s labour market and demographic challenges. The 2011 TD Waterhouse Boomer Happiness Index indicates that 37% of baby boomers and pre-baby boomers (aged 45-74) in Manitoba plan to retire by 2016. Internationally educated professionals (IEPs) will play an integral role in the ongoing recruitment of highly skilled individuals in the Manitoba’s business sector.
A report produced by Information Communication Technology Canada (ICTC) (Outlook for Human Resources in the Information and Communications Technology Labour Market, 2008 to 2015) states that over the period 2008 to 2015, employers across Canada will need to recruit around 126,400 to 178,800 ICT workers, an average of 15,795 to 22,345 per year. In Manitoba, the need for ICT positions in this area is estimated to be between 583 and 875 per year, or between 4,665 and 6,998 ICT workers between 2008 and 2015. In particular, there will be a shortage of individuals with university level training. Based on projections by ICTC, there will be high demand in three specific occupations: computer and information systems managers; information systems analysts and consultants; and software engineers and designers. There will be insufficient numbers of qualified individuals to meet this demand.
The University of Winnipeg’s year-long IEITP program was designed for immigrants with intermediate proficiency in English as an additional language who had previous training and experience in information technology, and who are currently unemployed or under-employed. The program identified gaps in previous experience and training, and provides participants with avenues through which to close those gaps, obtain a certificate, diploma or degree from The University of Winnipeg and find meaningful, skills-commensurate employment. http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/elp-ieitp
On the evening of Wednesday, May 11, the University of Winnipeg is hosting an event that will provide an opportunity for the business community, private sector, and Internationally Educated Professionals (IEPs) to interact and develop ideas or strategies to enhance and enrich business in Winnipeg. This free event is called “Building Networks: Bringing Together Winnipeg Businesses and Internationally Educated Professionals.” This event will take place at the University of Winnipeg’s Convocation Hall (515 Portage Avenue, 2nd floor of Wesley Hall) from 6:30-8:30 pm, and will offer leaders of our business community and private sector a rare opportunity to network and connect with over 30 IEPs who possess invaluable skills and experience in fields of ICT, Accounting, Engineering, Business, and Education.
This unique event is kindly supported by ICTAM (Information and Communications Technology Association of Manitoba—http://www.ictam.ca/), The University of Winnipeg, English for Specific Purposes Program, and Mr. Jonatan Aisicovich.
Please RSVP to Carolyn Morin at [email protected]