the unemployment rate for Aboriginal people was 14.7 per cent compared to the provincial rate of 6.1 per cent.
“The problem of Aboriginal people being unemployed or employed at low wage rates or front-level jobs despite their level of education is predominant through Canada. Medicine Hat is representative of that," says Neefs. "You don’t see a lot of Aboriginal people in management position or front-line positions. A lot of employers here don’t have a mandate for hiring First Nations or Aboriginal people.”
Medicine Hat employers have made greater strides when it comes to hiring disabled individuals.
“When I was growing up in the 80s, there was such a stigma against people who had a limitation, whether it was physical or cognitive,” says executive director Bob Will of Being Human Services. “Now, it is more socially acceptable. People can see that even if you are just giving an individual things to sort, they are contributing.”
“I have found in the last two years that there are a lot more employers in all walks of life who are willing to give people a chance,” says Will, who adds that Being Human Services has been able to find employment for 70 per cent of its clients with limitations. This is high in a province where the employment rate for people with disabilities has remained at about 20 per cent for many years.
“We are very fortunate in Medicine Hat,” agrees Bessant. “We have fantastic support for our individuals. We’ve broken down numerous barriers.”
This success is due to the combined efforts and support of the City, the Chamber of Commerce and organizations like CORE Association, REDI Enterprise Society and Being Human Services, all of which have worked hard for many years to educate, support and celebrate the efforts of local employers.
Even more dramatic successes are being witnessed across the province in the employment of immigrants. Indeed, the unemployment rate for established immigrants in 2015 was lower than that for the population in general, 5.1 per cent versus 6.0 per cent, though immigrants earned $2.77 per
Brendan Copper scans tickets with Leah Campbell at the Medicine Hat Tigers game on Feb. 8, 2017 at the Canalta Centre.
hour less than average.
Canada’s future workforce is expected to become even more diverse. In 2011, Statistics Canada reported that all net labour growth was expected to come from immigrants. In addition, Indian and Northern Affairs notes that the number of Aboriginal youths is twice that of the rest of the population.
To accommodate these changes, employers in Medicine Hat and elsewhere in the country will need to find more ways to attract and retain diverse employees. This includes adopting hiring policies and practices aimed at increasing the number of Aboriginal people in the workforce. The Saamis Aboriginal Employment and Training Centre and the Saamis Immigration Services Association can help employers accommodate this changing workforce.
“We have a free job board,” says Neefs. “We also offer targeted wage subsidies, a summer wage subsidy and co-op programs.”
However, the best way for employers to attract more diverse employees is to publicly declare their commitment to hiring a diverse workforce and to implement policies to create a work environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
“It takes intention to ensure that a community and the people and organizations within it are attracting diversity and facilitating diversity,” says Gingras. ❚
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Since 1967 21
CORE Association
A registered charity and non-profi t organiza on serving children and adults with developmental disabili es, and their families, since 1954.
For more information, check our website
www.coreassoc.net
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