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There are approximately 240,000 newcomers who settle in Canada each year and about 6,000 of these people are refugees who are under the age of 18 (Statistics Canada, 2012). It is estimated that by 2031 roughly 30% of the population will be a visible minority and approximately 36% of these people will be under the age of 15 (Statistics Canada, 2010).
Current policies exist to support schools, communities, agencies and housing development; however, little consideration has been given towards programs and services to help newcomers adjust to life in Canada and even less attention has been focused on helping refugees with career development, school-to-work transition and career decision-making.
With support from CERIC and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the research team led by the University of Winnipeg will investigate four cities in Canada to examine best practices for career development and integration of newcomers.
The main purposes of this research are:
- Conduct a needs assessment of the current career development and counselling programs for newcomer/refugees youth in middle and secondary schools in Winnipeg, Calgary, St. John’s and Charlottetown
- Examine best practices for early intervention to foster informed career decision-making for newcomers/refugee youth
- Develop recommendations and professional development activities/lessons to prepare counsellors to assist with career decision-making for youth from newcomer/refugee backgrounds
- Provide counsellors with knowledge and practical resources to help provide career counselling to middle and secondary level newcomer and refugee youth in Canada
Based on this collaborative investigation, the main objectives of this project are:
- The preparation of counsellors and teachers who provide career development programs and services through the four Faculties of Education and the Departments of Education
- The creation of strong networks through the community partners, organizations and schools
- The opportunity to co-create new programs and services to meet the career development needs of refugee children
- The creation of a multi-agency support network to facilitate the provision of career development programs and services for newcomers/refugee youth
Winnipeg Book Launch
Book launch at the University of Winnipeg on February 15, 2018 welcomed over 150 people from different sectors including Government of Manitoba, World Refugee Council, Manitoba Teachers’ Society, Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, Newcomers Employment and Education Development Services Dance Group, and more!
Final Research Report – Learn about the experience of the project partner in delivering this project with key findings and insights.
In the News!
- Profs publish research on refugee education: Support critical for newcomers, research shows featured on Winnipeg Free Press (January 29, 2018)
- Interview with Jan Stewart aired on CTV News Winnipeg at 9:38 (January 26, 2018)
- ‘They want more for their life:’ Winnipeg professor develops guide to support refugee students featured on CBC News Manitoba (January 22, 2018)
- Experts find language the biggest obstacle for refugee students featured on Winnipeg Free Press (January 22, 2018)
- Helping Canadian educators meet the needs of refugee students featured on University of Winnipeg News (January 22, 2018)
- War, terror, neglect: How Canadian schools could tackle child trauma featured on The Conversation Canada (June 27, 2017)
- Winnipeg professor recognized for work with refugee students featured on CBC News, Manitoba (May 28, 2017)
- A Culture of Care and Compassion for Refugee Students – Creating a state of nhân đạo featured on EdCan Network (March 14, 2017)
- Canadian researcher worried teachers unprepared for Syrian students featured on CBC News (December 25, 2015)
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