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Symposium on International Students: The New Skilled Migrants International Students: New Source of Skills for Canadian Employers Symposium to explore emerging skills shortage crisis and the role that international students who remain in Canada as immigrants can play in economic recovery and sustainability. Toronto, November 1, 2010 – In recognition of its tenth anniversary in Canada, World Education Services (WES) will convene a seminar titled Symposium on International Students: The New Skilled Migrants. The conference, through panel discussions and case studies, will examine trends in migration and settlement of Canadian educated, job-seeking immigrants, and recommend policy and education shifts to keep Canada competitive. “In the last 10 years, the number of foreign students worldwide has doubled to top 3.3 million,” says Timothy Owen, Director, World Education Services. “By 2020, the number will range from 4.1 to 6.7 million. Yet, Canada’s share of these highly motivated, eager-to-contribute young people is only 5.5%. We need to attract more of these migrant students into our universities and graduate programs, and provide appropriate supports for those intending to become permanent residents. They will study here, like what they see, and stay. They will be ideally positioned to become part of a highly skilled Canadian workforce.” To emphasize the situation, in its 2010 Policy Brief entitled Downturn, Recovery and the Future Evolution of the Labour Market, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce states, “The possible loss of many key experienced workers could create labour shortages in skilled trades and professional/managerial occupations, with far-reaching consequences for Canada’s economy. Sectors will increasingly be competing against each other for scarce young workers.” Karen McBride, President, Canadian Bureau for International Education and Symposium panelist, concludes that “We’ll need to invest in marketing Canada as the high-quality education destination it is if we are going to compete successfully for the best students out there. And we'll need to ensure that education institutions and provincial/territorial and federal governments are working in partnership. When international students choose to work in Canada post-graduation or stay in Canada permanently, they help fill the skilled jobs vacuum.” Speakers from Canada, United States, United Kingdom, India and the Netherlands will review perspectives and experiences on migrating international students, and why they are a critical factor in our immigration policies. The federal and provincial governments will be represented, as well as post-secondary institutions. |
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