OTEC announces new temporary foreign worker resource centre

TORONTO—OTEC, Ontario’s tourism sector council representative and the training and human resource organization for the Province, is introducing new tools and resources to assist employers with the recruitment and retention of employees.

The latest tool is an online temporary foreign worker (TFW)resource centre.

The resource centre, located on OTEC’s website, has  links providing detailed information for employers regarding the option of hiring TFWs.

o    Hiring TFW – Overview of Options
o    Key Agencies and Their Roles
o    TFW Program Pilot Project for Low-Skilled TFW
o    Questions to ask before hiring a Low Skilled TFW
o    The TFW Program - An Overview of the Application Process
o    Step-by-Step Guide for the Application Process
o    Applying for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
o    Third-Party Recruiters/Immigration Representatives
o    Foreign Worker Q & A
o    Improvements in the TFW Program
o    TFW Program for Skilled Occupations

The tourism and hospitality sector, like many sectors, has begun to experience labour shortages, states Vicki Lymburner, OTEC’s president and CEO. “Retiring ‘baby boomers’ and the shrinking pool of youth entering the labour force will increasingly affect the ability of Ontario businesses to remain competitive”, she says.

In a few parts of the province, employers are now tapping into Temporary Foreign Workers to alleviate the impact that labour shortages are having on their business operations. Lymburner says that OTEC has responded to the tourism and hospitality industry’s need to access clear information, and to make informed decisions about the utilization of Temporary Foreign Workers.

Tracy Gualtieri, director of training and human resources for OTEC, states “although foreign workers are only one of several solutions to the tourism industry’s recruitment efforts, they are definitely a part of it, and, increasingly, a bigger part. With fewer Canadian workers, and an almost endless supply of willing foreign workers from all over the world, Canadian employers will increasingly look outside Canada for temporary and permanent employees”.

OTEC’s new Temporary Foreign Worker Resource Centre, was developed with support from the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC).
 
The program is designed to provide employers with information and tools to help them access experienced, high-caliber employees that can help mitigate immediate and future labour shortage concerns.
 
For information go to http://www.otec.org/site/hosp_retention/tfw.asp or contact Tracy Gualtieri, tgualtieri@otec.org; 416-622-1976 ext. 215.