Like scores of immigrants before him, Aboubakary Tami came to Canada seeking a better life.
The Camerounian-born immigrant was trained in Germany and Africa, where he worked as an eye surgeon. But when he came to Canada from Kenya, Tami encountered many hurdles trying to have his credentials recognized.
After spending time in Quebec, Tami and his family moved to Halifax in 2007. Although he received help from local immigrant groups, Tami was struggling to find work in an eye care-related field.
“I have an objective very clear in my head. I want to do opthalmology or, failing that, optometry because my plan is medicine. That’s my training,” Tami explained in French. “I was looking for work and I was very disheartened. That’s why I was thrilled to hear about this project for Francophone immigrants.”
The program is a pilot project sponsored by Universite Sainte-Anne’s Halifax campus designed to help Francophone immigrants settle more smoothly into Canadian life. Participants improve their computer and English language skills as well as interview and resume writing skills. They learn about topics like labour standards, self-marketing, and occupational health and safety.
In addition, they’re paired up with local employers who hire them for valuable on-the-job experience.
“It’s a great program. They give us everything we need for finding work, everything from preparing our resumes to understanding different aspects of Canadian culture,” Tami said. “I’ve learned a lot, including very important things I hadn’t had yet. I’m finding it very satisfying.”
Sylvain Allaire is a managing partner with HR Pros Incorporated and is helping oversee the program. Allaire said this is the third time Universite Sainte-Anne has offered this project. Funding is provided by the provincial office of immigration.
Nine Francophone immigrants are participating in this latest project. Allaire said past candidates have included refugees from Congo and former residents of Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt and Haiti. Their experiences are equally diverse, and range from an assistant air traffic controller to a seamstress and a cook.
Their job placements, however, don’t necessarily reflect their past work background.
“What they are learning are things we take for granted in this culture. Because they come from other cultural backgrounds they aren’t aware of these things,” Allaire said. “We want to welcome people of French culture to our community. Nova Scotia needs immigrants, and we want them to settle here and integrate as smoothly as possible into the workforce.”
Allaire said because the candidates already speak French and are learning English, they benefit a workforce struggling to find enough French speakers to keep up with demand.
“We have a French community here and we have to support it. It’s part of what makes Nova Scotia unique,” he said.
Although several program participants have already been placed, Allaire is still seeking local employers willing to hire candidates. Employers don’t need to speak French. In certain cases they may also receive a wage subsidy to help defray part of a participant’s salary for a predetermined period. Contact Allaire at 877-1887 for more information, or email him atsylvain@hr-pros.ca.
Allaire believes the program will eventually become a permanent local fixture. Immigrants like Tami hope the program remains in place to help those coming to Nova Scotia after them.
Tami expects to participate in a bridging program next year to receive a training equivalency allowing him to work in the eye care field.
“Knowing we’re in an environment where we can explain ourselves and ask questions without wondering constantly whether or not we are being understood is wonderful,” Tami said of the Universite Sainte-Anne program. “With English speakers, they struggle to understand with your accent..We’re less frustrated here and can express ourselves 100 per cent without worrying we aren’t being properly understood. And we learn so much.”
ydentremont@hfxnews.ca
