The challenge of recruiting or retaining HQPs (highly qualified persons) internationally is one that many employers in the region can relate to.   At the same time, skilled immigrants and newcomers to Canada continue to experience high rates of underemployment and unemployment that relate to lack of recognition of foreign credentials and experience, language and communication barriers, discrimination, and employers’ requirement for “Canadian experience”.

Join us virtually at COVE on October 14th  at 1:00 pm (ADT) as we continue our Changing Tides panel series, with our Engaging Immigrants and International Talent in Canada’s Ocean Industries panel.  Dr. Sherry Scully, Executive Director, COVE Workforce Initiative, will lead the discussion with fellow panelists, Jennifer L’Esperance, Director of Programs, NS Department of Immigration, Ulaş Güntürkün, Marecomms Inc., Jordan Jakubowski, Director of HR, Irving Shipbuilding Inc., James McKee, Director of HR, Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems, Dr. Brent Else, MEOPAR, Deputy Theme Lead, Associate Professor,  and Andrea Baldwin, Business Immigration Lawyer, Associate Partner, EY Law LLP.

The panel will discuss the challenges faced by new immigrants and international students as they consider ocean careers, as well as the challenges that employers experience in trying to recruit or retain HQP internationally.  We will focus on how this industry can do a better job of attracting and retaining international talent.

About Changing Tides:

Changing Tides: Discussing diversity in the ocean industry is a panel discussion series addressing underrepresented workers in the blue economy.

Each month, we will be speaking with leaders in the ocean economy on the following topics, supporting the advancement of African Canadians in ocean tech, encouraging economic growth for Indigenous-owned companies, making space for women, scoping and retaining skilled immigrants and international student graduates, and shifting gears mid-career.