Waterloo Region - Last week’s WRIEN activities have generated the following information bites for team member information and consideration.

· Cambridge Chamber Business after Hours at Whistlebear Golf Course – WRIEN was there to network with over 120 Cambridge area employers

· Diversity in the Workplace seminar – attracted 30 attendees, Michelle Leyte and Jassy Narayan provided the attendees with a knowledge sharing thought provoking presentation that spoke both to the technical and lived experience aspects of creating and sustaining a diverse workplace and workforce

· Immigrant data and LIPC – WRIEN participated in a special meeting to explore immigrant employment based database needs that form part of the deliverables of the Local Immigration Partnership Council project.

· Qualifications Recognition and Enhancement Work Group meeting – the workgroup met on April 23rd – key discussion items included the agenda and speakers for the Qualifications Panel at the May Employer Forum which will be made up of WES, ICAS, YMCA Cross Cultural and Immigrant Services and Skillsinternational.ca. The panel will be moderated by WG Chair Stephanie Mancini. Also discussed was advocacy for Enhanced English language training services, the April 29 Networking and Recruiting Event in Cambridge, a best practices award for qualifications recognition/English training services and a CIITE presentation from Pamela Healey from Conestoga College

· Mentor recognition event – WRIEN was pleased to partner with the Mentorship Partnership Waterloo Region to host a special mentorship recognition evening Thursday night at Golf’s Steak House. The keynote speaker was Joan Fisk, President & CEO of the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce. Some 90 mentors and community partners participated in the event, 30 mentors were presented with certificates of appreciation. We also were pleased to have with us three representatives from the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) Mentorship Program.

· Internship Program – Conestoga College has now confirmed the 2nd internship – along with Christie Digital, Redragon Oil and Gas Systems International of Cambridge has now taken on an intern through the Internships for Internationally Trained Professionals

· Upcoming Meetings and Events:

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

o May 1 – LIPC Planning meeting – 1:30pm – at CCBR

o May 4 – QREWG Award Task Force meeting – 9:00am Chamber office

o May 7 – Employers Tools and Supports for hiring ITI’s Event – 3:00 – 6:00pm – Minister Michael Chan to launch the new Employer Resource Guide – Bingemans – see invitation above

o May 12 – Steering Committee meeting – 3:00pm, Chamber office

o May 13 – Competitive Advantage Forum Task Force meeting 12:00pm – Chamber office

o May 14 – LIPC Meeting – Cambridge

o May 20 – ISWG / LIPC meeting – 1:30 -3:30pm at Conestoga College (Waterloo Campus)

o May 21 Employment Initiatives Work Group – 9:00am – Chamber office