OTTAWA, February 17, 2016 – The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) recognizes the importance of integrating multilingual newcomers, for the growth of the Canadian ICT sector. This recognition, along with the demand for international talent, has resulted in a collaborative and exciting partnership with Réseau de développement économique et d’employabilité Canada (RDÉE Canada).
According to RDÉE Canada, 153,000 Francophone immigrants have already settled in Canada outside Québec. In fact, Canada would like to welcome more economic immigrants and has expressed the desire to increase the percentage of French-speaking economic immigrants to 4% by 2018 (RDEE Canada). With the critical need to fill ICT opportunities across Canada, ICTC’s employers welcome the opportunity to have skilled multilingual ICT economic immigrants as a talent source. Additionally, integrating multilingual IEPs would greatly benefit companies potentially looking to go global, or may already me operating internationally.
In the spirit of continuing to build Francophone communities, as well as promoting opportunities for newcomers in Canada’s digital economy, ICTC and RDÉE Canada have partnered to share knowledge and expertise as well to interconnect their services and efforts in order to support Francophone newcomers to Canada, pre-arrival. RDÉE Canada will initiate critical labour market orientation services and training to Francophone newcomers and then refer them to ICTC, who will help the newcomers integrate into the ICT sector, through their various employer connections.
“ICTC is thrilled to be partnering with a reputable organization like RDÉE Canada to achieve shared goals and objectives. We must leverage all talent sources to meet employers’ needs in an ever-growing global, digital economy and skilled ICT newcomers who have a strong command of Canada’s official languages are well-positioned to play a vital role as future entrepreneurs and employees.” Sandra Saric, Vice President, Talent Innovation at ICTC.
Jean-Guy Bigeau, chief executive officer of the Réseau de développement économique et d’employabilité, declared : “We are very proud, at RDÉE Canada, of being able to develop a relationship between our network and the Information and Communications Technology Council to serve Canadian employers and skilled francophone workers. This partnership is a unique way to fulfill our recruiting role in helping to strengthen francophone and Acadian communities. Our organizations share the same vision and we are convinced that this agreement will have a positive impact.”
To learn more about the partnership and its direction of purpose contact [email protected].
About RDEE Canada
RDÉE Canada is a national not-for-profit organization working for the vitality and economic development of minority Francophone communities and is present in all of the provinces and territories through provincial and territorial RDÉE member organizations, which together form the national Network. This national Network contributes to the development of economically strong and vibrant Francophone and Acadian communities, helping them to meet challenges and take full advantage of potential business opportunities.
About ICTC
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) is a not-for-profit national centre of expertise for the digital economy. Through trusted research, innovative talent solutions, and practical policy advice, ICTC fosters innovative and globally competitive Canadian industries empowered by a talented and diverse digital workforce.