Diversity Works Overview

Welcome to Diversity Works!

Diversity Works assists local employers to meet their staffing needs by providing free HR services, training and workshops to equip them with strategies, resources and tools to recruit, select and integrate global talent.

An initiative of Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, the project focuses on economic development through attraction and retention of skills and expertise from around the world.

Facts:

• 20% of Canada’s total population in 2006 was born outside Canada.
  In business terms, this represents 26% of current Canadian consumer market!
• By 2013 new Canadians will account for 100% of all labour force growth
• Cultural diversity brings innovation and fresh perspectives
• Cultural diversity is a source of knowledge and skills and a source of information
  about business practices and business opportunities outside Canada

Challenges:

Why should you consider hiring internationally trained individuals?

• The Canadian-born workforce is shrinking and the demand for labour is growing
• The local market is changing as more new Canadians settle in the city of Hamilton

Benefits:

Benefits of Hiring Internationally Trained Individuals:

• Bring new ideas, skills, energy, motivation and strong work ethics to the workplace.
• Boost your company’s public image and consumer loyalty.
• Enhance your company ability to access global markets.

FREE HR SERVICES:
 

When you register with Diversity Works you gain access to FREE HR Services. You also receive the latest information on HR topics related to recruitment and retention of Internationally Trained Individuals. All you need is to send us an email. To register, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Business Mentoring:

An innovative programme,  which enables immigrant entrepreneurs to develop their business network and assists mentors to understand business practices around the world.   New entrepreneurs bring a unique perspective on successful business practice and assist you to access global markets.

For more information on Business Mentoring, Click Mentoring Program Overview button above.

Mentoring Program Overview

Overview

Business Mentoring Program developed to close the gap between new immigrant entrepreneurs and Hamilton business community. We are committed to help new Canadian entrepreneurs and investors to identify suitable opportunities for investment.

This program demonstrates our commitment to support the business and economic development in the City of Hamilton.

The first cohort completed in Dec 2010, with 20 matches. Mentor and mentee meet for approximately six hours per month over a four month period. Mentors will be drawn from our experienced Chamber membership and mentees will be accepted from all of our diverse immigrant communities. A second cohort is planned for Sept 2011.

The broad program mandate is to target entrepreneurs with a genuine interest in establishing business in the Hamilton area.

It is expected that mentors and mentees will:

• Share their business experience
• Develop mutually beneficial business networks
• Realize the potential of their ideas
• Help immigrant entrepreneurs identify business opportunities

The program will enable immigrant entrepreneurs to integrate with the community more effectively. Mentors will have the opportunity to learn from entrepreneurs around the world. Each entrepreneur brings a unique perspective on successful business practice and routes to the global market.

We look forward to hearing from prospective mentors and mentees.

The application forms below are best viewed with Adobe Reader 9.4 or newer. A free copy of the Adobe Reader can be downloaded here.

Want to be a mentor? Apply Here

To see the benefits for mentors, businesses and organizations Click Here

Want to be a mentee? Apply Here

Program details

How the Program works

The program works in the following way:

• Hamilton Chamber of Commerce recruits mentors from its membership.
• Community partner organizations refer mentees to the program.
• The project coordinator assesses the suitability of the mentor/mentee applicants, filtering out those who do not fit the criteria for the program. Mentors should have at least three years experience establishing and running their own business. Mentees should be investors or entrepreneurs interested in beginning a business in the Hamilton area.
• The coordinator then formally matches mentor to suitable mentee.
• Matched mentors and mentees attend an orientation meeting with the coordinator. This prepares them for their respective roles in the mentoring relationship.
• After the orientation sessions, mentors and mentees meet in person alone for the first time to negotiate the objectives of the mentoring relationship. They will confirm objectives and goals for the 4 month relationship.

Requirements and Responsibilities

Mentors:

• Help mentee understand Canadian workplace culture.
• Introduce mentees to any special demands of the Hamilton area.
• Introduce mentees to relevant individuals in the business community.
• Locate work-related resources.
• Set some specific short and long term goals at the beginning of the relationship.
• Identify skills that the mentees need to work on that is relevant to their field.
• Guide the mentee through the creation of a career/business plan.
• Aid with any licensing/accreditation issues when necessary.
• Provide support and help mentee access employment and training opportunities.
• Provide the mentee with access to information about their area of work.
• Attend chamber events together. Introduce mentee to colleagues and contacts.
• Mentors are not responsible for securing employment for their mentee.

Mentees:

• Make regular contact with mentor as set out in the agreement.
• Be specific about requests for information and assistance.
• Meet at specific intervals as outlined in the agreement.
• Commit to follow-up work on mentor suggestions or recommendations.
• Be an active listener.
• Stay in touch with the mentor and coordinator on a regular basis.
• Think about how your previous experience can help you in Canada.
• Think about how to develop your business network.