Job expo in Netherlands worth every penny: minister
Al Hawkins says fairs like one in Utrecht valuable place to have a presence
Over a weekend in mid-february, Al Hawkins was in Utrecht, Netherlands, meeting hundreds of people, suggesting they might consider moving to Newfoundland and Labrador.
Hawkins, the minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, also responsible for the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism, has been tackling the government’s ambitious goal on immigration — to reach 1,700 newcomers a year by 2022.
MP Seamus O’regan recently said he’d like to see the province reach 4,000 newcomers a year, but even the province’s existing target requires it to add hundreds of new people atop current immigration levels.
The effort to increase the numbers has included staff attendance at international job fairs.
Hawkins said he went to the Netherlands for the Emigratiebeurs Job Fair Feb. 10-11 in order to get a better understanding of how the events tend to run, and what might spur more people to look to Newfoundland and Labrador. For two days, he was on his feet in a booth shared with representatives from New Brunswick.
The minister said he personally spoke to about 200 people. In addition to the one-on-one greetings, there were more formal information sessions held — one each day. About 400 people participated in those sessions, Hawkins said.
“Really, it gave us a very great idea of some of the interest that’s out there in coming to Newfoundland and Labrador,” he said.
The total cost for the province’s presence — including, but not limited to, the travel costs, meals, accommodations and registrations — was under $10,000. Hawkins’ claims came in at $2,771, while a representative from the provincial Immigration office came in at $3,665 (including a late flight change). The fixed presence at the fair cost another $2,900.
As The Telegram has reported in years past, employers from this province have undertaken working trips to European job fairs in the past. Hawkins said his experience in Utrecht has proven to him the importance of having employers side-by-side with the government on outreach efforts, to give evidence of local employers who are ready to hire.
While working on other elements of the immigration plan, for example the announced plan to launch new streams under the Provincial Nominee Program, Hawkins said his department is looking for more avenues to match available, skilled workers to local employers, particularly those with acute demands like in the technology sector.
There is an open call from the government for any employer interested in being a part of international outreach to make contact at immigration@gov. nl.ca or 709-729-6607. Hawkins spoke about immigration in a speech in the House of Assembly on Wednesday in a response to the speech from the throne.
“Mr. Speaker, I have gone through three summits, and I mentioned them the other day — aquaculture, agriculture and the technology summit. There are tremendous opportunities. There is tremendous potential for our young people. And yes, immigration is important for us as well,” he said, adding that he believes the immigration target can be met.
“It is important for us to embrace the opportunities we have,” he said. “(And) we are open for business.”