Waterloo Region - Weekly activities that the Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network has participated in or is aware of over the past week. The activity relates to immigrant employment initiatives in Waterloo Region.

Congratulations to the Working Centre team for another great and successful Mayors’ Dinner last Saturday night at Bingemans. Some 760 attendees were treated to a great evening!

· The City of Hamilton is looking for a Program Analyst for their Immigration Strategy – info attached

· Focus for Ethnic Women is looking for talented people to be board members – info attached

· Conestoga College, more specifically the Conestoga Language Institute is offering a Language Training for Engineering Professionals training program – for details contact Laura Stoutenburg at 519 748-5220, ext 3896, email lstoutenburg@conestog.on.ca or visit the WRIEN website at www.wrien.com

· The May 7th Hiring and Keeping global talent Tools & Supports Forum is coming together nicely. Minister Michael Chan will be launching the new Employer Resource Guide as part of the agenda.

· The Employment Initiatives Work Group has decided to move the Competitive Advantage Forum from November to September. Lionel Laroche an internationally trained engineer and global consultant / speaker to employers on immigrant employment hiring, integration and retention is confirmed as the keynote speaker. More details to follow after the April 17th work group meeting

· Congratulations to the Internship Team and Christie Digital for placing the first intern as part of the new Internships for Internationally Trained Professionals. This was announced at this weeks meeting where internship and mentorship updates were given to WRIEN’s service provider agencies to ensure all groups are sharing the same information and assisting both immigrants and employers to access both programs.

· The Immigrant Loan Program team met this week – the program has enjoyed great success and is currently being re-visited to keep it relevant in a changing marketplace

· There are a couple of spots still open for the free “Creating a Diverse Workplace to Attract and Keep the Best Talent” seminar – this is a must attend for employers who are looking to use diversity as an effective talent development tool – details attached

· Upcoming Meetings and Events:

o April 21 – Diversity in the Workplace Seminar – To attract and retain talent – Delta Hotel Kitchener – 8:00am to 10:00am

o April 23 – Qualifications Recognition & Enhancement Work Group meeting – Chamber office – 9:00am – 10:30am

o April 29 – Networking and Recruiting Event – 4:00pm to 6:00pm, Cambridge City Hall

o April 23 – Mentor Recognition Event – 5:00pm to 8:00pm, Golf’s Steak House

o May 7 – Employers “Tool Time” Tools and Supports for hiring ITI’s Event – 3:00 – 6:00pm - Launch of the new Resource Guide - Bingemans