Working Together Project (WTP) Survey

The Working Together Project (WTP) has supported 130 successful employment journeys with industry partners. Due to this success, we are now assessing the feasibility of transitioning this initiative into a small business. WTP is conducting this survey to understand the best way to support employers accessing newcomer talent in various industries across Southwestern Ontario.

Recruiting and retaining talent takes time, energy and skills, and can be more challenging when language and culture is a barrier. Current solutions struggle to meaningfully integrate employees into the company and community due to lacking support, training and retention services.

As a business in our community, your participation is essential to understanding how we shape future initiatives to ensure employers have access to the full range of talent in our community.

Please complete this survey by Friday, October 30th.

Question Title

* 1. Your Name

Question Title

* 2. E-mail

Question Title

* 3. Role/Title

Question Title

* 4. Affiliated Organization

Question Title

* 5. What industry is your organization in?

Question Title

* 6. How many full-time equivalent employees work for your organization?

1-4

5-9

10-19

20-49

50-99

100-199

200-499

500+

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 7. How many new full-time equivalent employees does your organization plan to hire in the coming year?

1-4

5-9

10-19

20-49

50-99

100+

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 8. Which municipality is your organization operating in?

Cambridge

Kitchener

Waterloo

Guelph

Townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 9. Do you hire talent from the following groups: (check all that applies)

Newcomers/Immigrants

Refugees

Individuals facing language barriers

None of the above

Question Title

* 10. How have you connected with newcomers, immigrants, refugees, and/or individuals facing language barriers when hiring? (Check all that applies)

Online job boards/postings

Personal referrals

Social Media

On-site recruitment at schools, colleges, or universities

Unsolicited resumes

Job Fairs

Employment agencies

On-site- job signs or posters

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 11. What types of employment training do you currently provide to newcomers/immigrants and/or individuals facing language barriers? (Check all that applies)

Non-English Health and Safety Training

Non-English WHMIS Training

Canadian workplace culture orientation

Language assessment

Onsite workplace language training

Industry specific vocabulary training

None of the above

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 12. What types of on-boarding and retention support do you provide to newcomers/immigrants and/or individuals facing language barriers? (Check all that applies)

Interview interpretation support

Ongoing interpretation support

Help filling out employment related documents (ie. contract)

Pay cheque support (ie. explaining mandatory employment related expenses, setting up direct deposit)

Provide incentives related to productivity, attendance, sales revenue

None of the above

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 13. Please describe the success and/or challenges of your experience with the choices you have selected in the above three questions?

Question Title

* 14. Are there any other initiatives or programs your organization offers to support employees who are newcomers/immigrants and/or individuals facing language barriers? If yes, please describe:

Question Title

* 15. What are some reasons that have prevented you from hiring newcomers/immigrants and/or individuals facing language barriers? (Check all that applies)

Lack of Canadian-approved professional certifications

Lack of written language skills

Lack of verbal language skills

Lack of communication skills

Lack of Canadian workplace cultural understanding

None of the above

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 16. To the best of your knowledge, how much does your organization currently spend annually on external talent recruitment services?

Under $5000

$5000-10,000

$10,000-20,000

Over $20,000

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 17. How much is you organization willing to pay annually for an employment service that provides screening, training and support during employment, on-boarding, and retention for newcomers/immigrants and/or individuals facing language barriers?

Under $5000

$5000-10,000

$10,000-20,000

Over $20,000

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 18. Would you be open to a follow up conversation?

Yes

Thank you for your responses and time!