A Global Talent Stream: Global Skills Strategy

Transcription

1 1 A Global Talent Stream: Global Skills Strategy

2 2 Background In the 2016 Fall Economic Statement, the Minister of Finance announced the Global Skills Strategy (GSS) to make it easier for Canadian firms to attract the talent they need to succeed. The GSS has 4 pillars which support the government s Innovation Agenda and the initiatives of the Advisory Council on Economic Growth. Three are led by Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and one by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC): 1) Dedicated Service Channel (IRCC); 2) Short-Term Work Permit Exemptions (IRCC); 3) Faster Work Permit processing (10-days) (IRCC); and 4) A new Global Talent (GT) Stream under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (ESDC) Access to global talent was also a key theme raised in the 2016 review and report on the TFW Program. ESDC will launch the GT Stream pilot program in Spring 2017 for a period of 24 months.

3 3 Purpose The new GT Stream under the TFW Program will assist Canadian companies by providing them with expedited access to in-demand global talent while ensuring Canadians have access to innovative jobs. The GT Stream pilot will target two categories of Canadian companies: Category A: High-growth firms that can demonstrate a need for unique talent in order to scale-up and grow, resulting in job creation and knowledge transfer to Canadians; and, Category B: Firms needing to hire highly-skilled foreign nationals for occupations found on a new Skills Shortage List, resulting in training investments for Canadian workers. The GT Stream pilot will differ from other TFW Program streams by providing employers with: Access to a new dedicated service channel to guide them through application process; Applications processed in 10 business days (ESDC); and Work permits processed in 10 business days (IRCC).

4 4 Category A: High-growth Firms Seeking Unique Global Talent Proposal: Eligible firms in Category A could be in any economic sector but would need to be highgrowth and referred to the GT Stream by designated partners. Expected Results: Referral from designated partners with direct links to high-growth firms supports streamlined service delivery. Access to highly-skilled foreign worker results in job creation and knowledge transfer for Canadian labour force. Next Steps: Establish eligibility criteria. How do we define high growth? What is considered unique talent? Identify designated partners and establish formal referral process.

5 5 Category B: Firms seeking to fill High-Skills Shortages Proposal: Eligible firms in Category B would have to demonstrate that they need global talent to fill occupations from a new Skills Shortage List and would be willing to pay at prevailing wage or above for these occupations. Expected Results: A list of key high-skilled occupations that are experiencing a labour market shortage is established and updated periodically to help expedite access to global talent. Access to highly-skilled foreign worker results in investments in training for Canadian labour force. Next steps: Determine which high-skilled occupations are in shortage. ICT, STEM, etc.? Validate the methodology used to establish the list. How do we establish a list (national vs. regional)?

6 6 Employer Accountability: Labour Market Benefits Plan Proposal: During the application process, ESDC will work with GT Stream employers to develop Labour Market Benefit Plan (LMBPs) with metrics that can help track job creation, knowledge transfer and skills and training benefits for Canadians. Expected Results: Will support evidence-gathering on Canadian innovation, talent and growth, in particular in the areas of: Creation of jobs for Canadians; Transfer of knowledge from highly-skilled foreign national(s) to Canadian workers; and Investments in training for Canadian workers Next Steps: Establish and validate appropriate metrics that will be used in the LMBP. How do we measure benefits to the Canadian Economy?

7 7 GT Stream Service Delivery: Dedicated Service Channel Proposal: ESDC will implement a new dedicated service channel that provides high-touch service (10 business days) and assists eligible Canadian firms with the development of LMBPs to access highly-skilled foreign talent. Expected Results: Timely, responsive and predictable service allows companies to attract top talent to scale-up and remain globally competitive. The TFW Program s current regulatory requirements, including on compliance, are maintained to ensure program integrity. Next steps: Determine the best way to deliver the GT Stream under the TFW Program What does government do well when it comes to service delivery? What areas can government improve in when it comes to service delivery? How can we reduce burden while ensuring integrity?

8 8 Process for accessing global talent Category A: Designated partner refers a highgrowth, innovative firm to GT Stream Category B Firm seeks indemand global talent in shortage in Canada Shortage Skills List updated every 6 months (TBC) In-take of Employer Application to GT Stream Fee collection Genuineness Assessment LMBP Development ESDC will work with the firm to outline the benefits of hiring a foreign national (e.g., hiring Canadian employees; supporting co-op placements) to the Canadian economy Labour Market Impact Assessment ESDC assesses regulatory requirements, such as labour market factors Compliance The GT Stream is subject to all applicable TFW Program monitoring and compliance regulations. Firms that do not meet LMBP requirements will not be eligible for future applications to this Stream.