Settlement and Integration Needs of Skilled Immigrants in Calgary: A Mixed Methods Study

Transforming Social Work Field Education

“…On the other hand, the immigrants within the skilled category are invited as permanent residents after a rigorous assessment of their skills, qualifications, and professional background to fulfill the labour shortage in high-demand professions in Canada. Therefore, skilled immigrants may prioritize insights and support for securing appropriate employment corresponding to their professional background in the shortest possible time (Bhayee, 2019;Drolet et al, 2017;Kaushik, 2020;Valtonen, 2016). Through this chapter, I invite attention of the social work profession to the preparation of the next generation of practitioners for addressing the complex issue of newcomer settlement and integration.…”

“…Immigrants need efficient support as they establish themselves in the country and to overcome the challenges they face in the process (Kaushik, 2020). Cognizant of this need, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) funds the Settlement Program to offer a variety of services and supports that benefit immigrants and help them integrate into Canadian communities.…”

“…The high number of immigrants arriving annually affirms the ongoing need for immigrant services in Canada. To ensure necessary supports to new immigrants, the demand for services for immigrants has increased and, along with it, the need for well-equipped social workers trained and experienced in serving immigrants (Kaushik, 2020;Payne, 2014). Social work's focus on the "person-in-environment" perspective, along with anti-oppressive, culturally competent, ethical, and trauma-informed practice approaches, makes its practitioners ideally suited to play a central role in the interdisciplinary team of professionals who collaboratively respond to the needs of immigrants and their families.…”

“…Literature on practice with immigrants has and continues to emphasize both "knowing about policy" and "knowing about immigrants" because immigrant experiences are defined by the policy contexts. It has been argued that an understanding of immigrant experiences is important; yet, along with that, an understanding of macro-level contexts is also important because polices facilitate the nature and extent of services that social workers provide to immigrants (Düvell & Jordan, 2001;Kaushik, 2020;Kaushik & Walsh, 2018;Martinez-Brawley & Zorita, 2011;Padilla, 1997;Potocky-Tripodi, 2019;Sethi, 2013).…”

Transforming Social Work Field Education

“…On the other hand, the immigrants within the skilled category are invited as permanent residents after a rigorous assessment of their skills, qualifications, and professional background to fulfill the labour shortage in high-demand professions in Canada. Therefore, skilled immigrants may prioritize insights and support for securing appropriate employment corresponding to their professional background in the shortest possible time (Bhayee, 2019;Drolet et al, 2017;Kaushik, 2020;Valtonen, 2016). Through this chapter, I invite attention of the social work profession to the preparation of the next generation of practitioners for addressing the complex issue of newcomer settlement and integration.…”