Immigrants a boon to oilpatch

The growing immigrant population is serving an increasingly vital part of helping oil and gas companies solve labour shortages, which are only expected to increase in the next 10 years.

In Calgary, for example, the immigrant population in 2010 was estimated at 304,000 — almost 30 per cent of the total population, and the visible minority population is projected to reach 40 per cent by 2020, according to data from Statistics Canada based on the last census.

Over half (52.7 per cent) of those immigrants were in the crucial working demographic of 25-44.

Language remains one of the top barriers to employment for immigrants, who often have a high calibre of skills. Getting their degrees from their home countries accredited in Canada is another big barrier.

“In terms of the immigrant population, 80 per cent that come from abroad are educated, so that is definitely a benefit to the Calgary community,” says Cindy DeVouge, chief development officer for Immigrant Services (formerly the Calgary Immigrant Aid Society).

Her organization implemented an “integrated mentorship program” that matches immigrants with employers and assists them with resumebuilding, mock interviews and other skills.

The oil and gas industry is projected to need between 125,000 and 150,000 additional workers in the next decade due to growing demand and retiring baby boomers, according to some estimates.

Last year, more than 35,000 immigrants came to Alberta, of 198,000 across Canada.

Immigrants stand to play an increasing role in filling that shortage of workers, says DeVouge: “Qualified (immigrants) will be able to fill some of that labour shortage once some of their challenges are addressed.”

As oil companies poach skilled engineers from other sectors, it leaves a broader void in labour supply across the country.