Role of employers and settlement agencies in safe employment integration

Reasons for the study

Employers play an important role in hiring immigrants and refugees in Canada—some working with settlement organizations who are seeking work placements for recent immigrants. Employers also play a crucial role in the safe and sustained work integration of newcomers, and are responsible for training them and putting measures in place to protect their health and safety.

Despite the central role that employers play in both hiring and subsequently providing safe work environments for recent immigrants, we know very little about their expectations, experiences and challenges in relation to hiring recent immigrants. We also have little information on specific challenges employers and settlement organizations face when working together.

This study addresses this research gap by extending current research on the safe work integration of newcomers to examine the strategies used by employers and settlement agencies to help recent immigrants and refugees safely integrate into employment in Canada.

Objectives of the study

Target audience

The findings from this project are of interest to multiple stakeholder communities, including employers, settlement providers and newcomer clients, as well as stakeholders across the employment/immigration field.