Recruitment Resources

Helping operators navigate the workforce crisis

BCHA is leading workforce recovery efforts, cultivating strategic partnerships and resources to help employers access international and
domestic workers, upskill and retain staff, and to understand best practices in recruiting – saving you time and money

Need workforce support? Enter: alison langford!

Today’s labour recruitment market is incredibly competitive, and navigating international and domestic recruitment options can be both confusing and challenging. But don’t fret; there is help available!

Meet Alison Langford, BCHA’s Workforce Strategist and dedicated expert in international and domestic recruitment. All BCHA members are eligible for a complimentary recruiting consultation with Alison. During your one-on-one session, Alison will review your workforce needs and discuss options available to support your hiring efforts. 

Should you be struggling with where to start with your recruiting efforts or simply want to learn more about this complex space, book your session with Alison today. Contact | alison@bcha.com.

Learn more about Alison. 

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What alison can help you with.

  • Temporary Foreign Worker program guidance and LMIA application
  • Provincial Nominee Program Guidance and application
  • Vetting of provincial workforce initiatives
  • Permanent residency issues
  • Coordinate with private post-secondary schools and training programs
  • Domestic recruiting efforts for unemployed
  • Contract labour services
  • Business advisory services to pivot operations or re-position a business
  • Accommodation industry specific employee relations guidance

Programs & partners

 While there are many recruitment programs and resources for employers, not all will be suited to your business. The BCHA has carefully vetted and established partnerships that will support the best interests of BC accommodators and their employees. 

Explore recruitment avenues below | questions? Contact alison langford alison@bcha.Com

Labour market impact assessment (lmia)

There are 3 streams available when applying for a LMIA:

  • Low Wage/ Semi-skilled:
  • Permanent Residence:
    • This stream is for positions identified by NOC 0, A and B- skilled positions. Job offers must meet the regional prevailing wage rate.
      • Typical positions for this LMIA are Cooks, Sous chefs, Chefs, Executive Housekeepers, Food Service Managers
      • Worker(s) must be named on the LMIA at time of submission.  Worker cannot be changed after submission
      • Requirement for using this LMIA is that employer will support workers to apply for their permanent residency when eligible
      • Work permits issued for 2 years
  • High Wage:
    • Typical positions for this stream are usually skilled positions but can be used for any position so long as the wage meets the prevailing Provincial wage rate.
    • Worker(s) do not have to be selected at time of submission, they can be added after the LMIA is approved
    • Work permits issued for 2 years​

RECENT CHANGES TO LMIA PROGRAM | AS OF SPRING 2022

  • Accommodation and Food Services are now among seven sectors in which employers will be allowed to hire up to 20% of their workforce through the TFW Program for low-wage positions.
  • The policy that automatically refuses LMIA applications in regions with unemployment rate of 6% or higher has ended.
  • Addressing seasonal peaks, there will no longer be a limit to the number of low-wage positions that employers in seasonal industries. In addition, the maximum duration of these positions will be increased from 180 days to 270 days per year.
  • Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA’s) will be valid for 6 months.
  • The maximum duration of employment for High-Wage and Global Talent Streams workers will be extended to three years. This will help workers qualify for permanent residency, contributing to our long-term workforce.
  • Low wage LMIA applications will need to show they have tried to hire underrepresented groups such as newcomers to Canada. Aboriginal job seekers and asylum seekers with valid work permits, have been added to this list. 

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

HIRES EMPP

The World University Service of Canada (WUSC) provides an opportunity, through HIRES EMPP, to access a new immigration stream that enables you to fill staffing needs and make a positive global impact — connecting refugee youth overseas to employment opportunities in Canada. 

WUSC offers Canadian Companies:

  • International refugee youth talent sourcing
  • Candidate vetting & preparation
  • Interview coordination
  • Immigration coordination
  • Arrival and settlement guidance 
HIRES focuses on connecting refugee youth (20-29 years old) to entry level (TEER 4 and 5) job opportunities in the hospitality industry. In the last three years, WUSC has partnered with 24 workplaces in British Columbia, to effectively facilitate the immigration and transition of 74 refugee youth from Kenya. 
 
WUSC now utilizes the federal stream of the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP), in collaboration with other NGOs. 
 

About WUSC: WUSC is a Canadian non-profit organization working to create a better world for all young people. WUSC has supported refugees throughout its history since the 1920s; more recently sponsoring refugees from 39 countries through the Student Refugee Program since 1978, and advancing economic mobility pathways for refugee youth through HIRES and now HIRES EMPP. 

Hear from employer champions in the HIRES Video Series

www.wusc.ca/hires

Contact: Eliza Seaborn eseaborn@wusc.ca

MOSAIC SERVICES

MOSAIC: One of Canada’s largest settlement and employment services organizations, we’re improving communities by welcoming and supporting newcomers. MOSAIC programs help immigrants and refugees settle and start a new life in Canada.

Employment programs:
Employment Services | MOSAIC Services (mosaicbc.org)

Job Postings:
employers@mosaicbc.org

Language Support Services:
Immigrant & Refugee Resources | MOSAIC (mosaicbc.org)

Translation Services:
Translation – Interpretation & Translation Services (mosaicbc-lsp.org)

INTER-CULTURAL ASSOCIATION (ICA)

From housing and education to employment services, ICA’s Settlement Services team can help newcomers navigate and connect with important resources and support.

Immigrant Welcome Centre:
Immigrant Welcome Centre – Inter-cultural Association of Greater Victoria (icavictoria.org)

Employment Services:
Employment Services – Inter-cultural Association of Greater Victoria (icavictoria.org)

Gateway to Tourism & Hospitality for Newcomers Program:
Gateway to Tourism and Hospitality for Newcomers – Inter-cultural Association of Greater Victoria (icavictoria.org)

Game Changer: Youth Employment Program
Game Changer: Youth Employment Program – Inter-cultural Association of Greater Victoria (icavictoria.org)

Learn English:
Learn English (LINC) – Inter-cultural Association of Greater Victoria (icavictoria.org)

Through training and organizational coaching, the program will help organizations and businesses develop cultures of inclusion, close racial gaps and maximize anti-racist impacts in your place of work :

Tools for Equity – Inter-cultural Association of Greater Victoria (icavictoria.org)

Finding employment for refugees

TALENT BEYOND BOUNDARIES

The BCHA has partnered with the team at Talent Beyond Boundaries. TBB matches skilled refugees with companies in need of their skills, helping employers gain valuable talent and supporting displaced people to rebuild their careers and lives.

In addition, the BCHA is currently working closely with the provincial government to advocate for changes to the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) to create a new pathway for refugees to gain permanent residency in Canada. 

RECENT CHANGES TO TBB PROGRAM | AS OF JUNE 2023- New Federal Pathways stream:

Highlights of the Federal Pathway:

  • ALL TEER level job offers are eligible (we appreciate this will be crucial to your members)
  • Applications can be submitted as early as June 12th
  • No provincial stage, therefore processing time will be reduced by several months and one less application means less paperwork for employer and applicant
  • No recruitment efforts requirement
  • No government processing fee (note: there is a Right of Permanent Residence Fee of $515 per adult, which can be paid by the employer or the applicant can access an ILP-interest free loan, payable after arrival to Canada)
  • Average processing time of 6 months

Given the highlights mentioned above, while we will still have access to existing pathways (including PNP), our approach will be to use Federal Pathways in most cases.

The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) was created to help skilled refugees immigrate to Canada through existing economic programs to support Canadian labour market needs.

The following requirements must be met to qualify:

International experience canada (iec)

International Experience Canada provides the opportunity to travel and work in Canada for up to two years. There are three separate streams available that include Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op (internship). Canada has an agreement with 38 visa-exempt countries, so citizens of those countries have a streamlined process to be eligible to work in Canada.

The most utilized of these streams is the Working-holiday permit, which is particularly popular among younger adults. This permit, allows workers to freely work and travel in Canada. Permits are typically issued for one year, but some countries allow for more than one opportunity to participate if the person reapplies under a different stream.

Application submissions are most often handled by the worker, but some may choose to work with Recognized Organizations (ROs) to assist with their applications—an example of such an organization is the Students Work Abroad Program (SWAP). 

Unlike the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, job seekers are not required to remain with a single employer for the duration of their permit, and as a result, these programs are often very popular among those seeking seasonal workers. 

Francophone mobility program

The Francophone Mobility Program is an initiative of the Government of Canada which facilitates work permits for skilled Francophone foreign nationals. As the program’s aim is to encourage growth of French-speaking workers across Canada, candidates must be French-speaking, although it doesn’t have to be their primary language.

Recent changes to the program now allow job offers to all positions in any Tier – 0-5. This means positions such as light duty cleaners, front desk clerks, kitchen helpers are now eligible as well as skilled positions such as housekeeping supervisors, food service supervisors, cooks, etc. Permits are valid for up to three years and employers are required to submit an online offer of employment, paying a $230 fee. 

The BCHA has participated in the Destination Canada Mobility Forum for the past two years. Look for an announcement this fall 2024 for more details on how to participate in this event. We also partner with Société de développement économique de la Colombie-Britannique (SDECB) for year-round support of hiring French-speaking workers.  

Post-graduation work permit program

​The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program allows international students who have recently graduated from eligible Canadian designated learning institutions to obtain an open work permit in Canada. The duration of each permit depends on the length of the graduate’s studies.
The PGWPP is often a pathway to permanent residency, leading to opportunities for long-term employment, and as the student is responsible for applying, there are no added costs to the employer. 

Recruiting international students

Similar to the PGWPP program, employers may also wish to explore recruitment efforts with international students looking to secure employment. Starting May 2024, students can work a maximum of 24 hours per week off campus. Employing international students may also lead to longer employment once the employee is finished school.

Bc pnp skilled worker

The Skilled Worker category of the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is a way for workers in a professional, management, technical, trade or other skilled occupation to gain permanent residence in BC.

BC PNP may issue targeted invitations to apply for select occupations. These targeted occupations are Childcare, Healthcare, Veterinary Care, Construction sector, and Technology sector.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR HIRING INTERNATIONAL WORKERS (NEW): 

IRCC outreach team who are available to assist employers navigating IRCC programs:

Bibiana Au – Outreach Officer
Telephone: 343-549-3722
Email: promotions@cic.gic.ca

Janet Fan
Telephone: 604-353-2488
Email: janet.fan@cic.gc.ca

Darcy Bromley
Telephone: 604-315-7672
Email: darcy.bromley@cic.gc.ca

Here is a link to additional resources:
Employer’s Roadmap to hiring and retaining internationally trained workers

INTERNATIONAL FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS (FTAS)

International Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) contain provisions to facilitate, on a reciprocal basis, temporary entry for businesspersons to work within Canada—an example of this is the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement. Eligible persons entering under an FTA will generally require a work permit and there is a $230 fee that is paid by the employer. While FTAs provide a streamlined employment for foreign workers, eligible occupation categories can often be limited and frequently change. 

​hotel operation services skills training project

In an effort to grow interest in the hospitality sector and support upskilling and training the BCHA has partnered with Western Community College (WCC) and Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS), to offer the Hotel Operation Services Skills Training project, which provides fully funded training to unemployed and underemployed individuals from the Metro Vancouver area. The project targets individuals with some industry experience and focuses on readying candidates for meaningful work in the industry with the opportunity for students to connect directly with our members following the completion of the program. 

Integral services group (contract workers)

In recognition of critical staffing shortages, BCHA Premier Partner, Integral Services Group, began offering outsourced staffing services in 2020 to support accommodators in meeting their labour needs. With a wide network of professionals and skilled workers, Integral works directly with employers to streamline operations and provide staffing plans.  
 

TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKERS - NEW REGULATIONS FROM IRCC

Employers are now required to provide the following pamphlets regarding the rights and protections available to Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) while working in Canada. Please ensure you have a copy available for your TFW on their first day of work.