The Iranian-Canadian Network (IC Network) was founded in 2002 as a network of Iranian-Canadian business owners, professionals and community members. This Network was initiated by members of the Iranian Community Advisory Council of Family Service Association of Metro Toronto (FSA) to take initiative in addressing the issue of unemployment, under-employment and self-employment in the Iranian community living in Canada. The idea developed rapidly into the first ethno-specific and occupational-specific group-mentoring program, which is now known as the “Iranian Community Network for Mentoring Program” with the following mandate:

 

•  Provide information and mentoring for Iranian job seekers in obtaining suitable employment;

•   Provide information and mentoring for Iranian entrepreneurs in establishing new businesses;

•   Link knowledgeable professionals and business people to Iranian job seekers for the purpose of mentoring;

•   Provide Iranian employers with information about the job-ready Iranians;

•   Provide referrals for job seekers to better utilize the existing employment services.

 

The Mentoring program, now in partnership with JVS of Toronto and sponsored by the Trillium Foundation is under assessment as a “model” program to be deployed by other Canadian-newcomer communities.

 

Mentoring is a combined and holistic approach to empowering newcomers pursuing career aspirations in Canada. The Mentoring program’s objectives are to enhance knowledge of professional and business practices, increase mentees’ personal confidence in the marketplace, raise awareness of the broad range of employment opportunities available, improve job search skills and tools, and establish a broad network of contacts within the mentees’ profession and among other internationally trained professionals. Professional sectors for the mentoring program include Information Technology, Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, as well as Nutrition and Food Science.

 

Our results to date have been impressive: in program 1, with 19 mentees in IT and Civil and Mechanical Engineering field, 78 percent became employed or engaged in internship programs related to their profession. In program 2 with 21 mentees in the same fields, 73 percent became employed or engaged in internship programs. In program 3, with 38 mentees in IT, Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering and Food Science & Nutrition, 63 percent % became employed or engaged in internship programs. On average, all three programs the success rate has been 71 percent. Our latest program 4 includes 38 mentees in the above mentioned fields. The mentoring sessions were completed in February 2007 but the job finding activities are not finalized yet. So far 7 individuals have found employment and 1 individual has been referred to the Federal Wage-Subsidy Program.