how to empower newcomers in the age of knowledge?
TRANSCRIPT
How to Empower Newcomers in the
Age of Knowledge?
Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants Annual Professional Development Conference 2006
Oct. 18-20, 2006, Orillia, Ontario
Khaled IslaihCertificates
Global Career Development Facilitator Employment Facilitation/Work Search Specialist
www.khaledislaih.com
Introduction In the new world (21 century), knowledge and brainpower are
the sources of everything
We live in the age knowledge economy which refers to the capacity to create new thoughts and ideas and transform them into products and services with economic value. It is about skills, talents, know-how, know what and relationships
Accelerated use of information and communication technologies has fostered the role of knowledge dynamics in the new world
The knowledge dynamics have impacted us as individuals and societies
Transformations
Macroeconomic Microeconomic / Business Workplace Implications for Canadian Newcomers
How to Empower Newcomers?
FeatureOld Industrial Economy
New Knowledge Economy
Market changes ٍ�Slow, predictableFast and unpredictable
Lifecycle of Products and Technologies
Long Short
Key economic drivers
Large industrial firmsInnovative knowledge firms
Scope of Competition
LocalGlobal
Macroeconomic Transformations
As explained in www.1000ventures.com
Microeconomic Transformations
FeatureOld Industrial Economy New Knowledge Economy
Business Development Approach
StabilityChange management
Key drivers of growthCapital People, knowledge and capabilities
Key Technology DriversAutomation and mechanization
Information and Communication Technology
Scarce resourcesFinancial capitalHuman capitalOrganizational
structuresHierarchical, bureaucratic, memo-to-memo
Flexible, flat, empowerment, face-to-face
Business Model Traditional: command-and-control, centralized
New: focused on people and knowledge
As explained in www.1000ventures.com
Workplace transformationsFeatureOld Industrial Economy New Knowledge Economy
Leadership Vertical: mangers supervise subordinates, centralized
Shared: employee empowerment and self leadership
Workforce characteristicshigh proportion of semi-skilled or unskilled
high proportion of graduates/ knowledge workers
Skills Standard Multi-skilled, flexible
Education Requirement A skill or a degreeContinuous learningManagement-Employee Relations
Confrontations, conflict of interests
Cooperation, teamwork
EmploymentStableImpacted by market opportunity and risk factors
Employees seen asExpenseInvestment
As explained in www.1000ventures.com
Implications for Canadian Newcomers
FeatureStatus of Newcomers in the Old Economy
Newcomers’ Potential inNew Economy
ResidencyImmigrants, PR, newcomers
Global citizens
EducationUnrecognized Credentials International qualifications
Work experienceNo Canadian experience Global experience, adaptable workers
Available jobsMainly survival jobs Better access to global jobs and business opportunities
Languages English/French with Accent
Language diversity
ContributionsLimited because of regulatory and economic barriers
Key contributions to Canada and beyond
“New vocabularies, new management techniques, new technologies and new
strategies are needed to prosper in the new economy”
Facilitate Empowerment within Newcomers Advocate Empowering Environment for Newcomers
How to Empower Newcomers?
Thomas Stewart
Conclusion
Facilitate Empowerment within Newcomers
Empower newcomers to unlearn traditional worldview
Empower newcomers to learn new worldview Empower newcomers to change their focus Empower newcomers to develop life-long
learning practices Empower newcomers to think positively
Empower newcomers unlearn the traditional worldview
Newcomers need to unlearn old concepts and ideas such as: We live in a divided world, money is the source for everything, the world is about scarcity and limited opportunities, competition is needed to build success and wealth
Empower newcomers learn new worldview
They need to open their minds and expand their horizons, we live in an abundant and borderless world with unlimited opportunities, knowledge is the source of every thing we do, consume and produce. Intellectual and human capital is the real wealth.
Empower newcomers to change their focus
The key driver for newcomers in Canada should be building personal and intellectual capital. They need to learn how to maintain building their intellectual capital while they are doing survival jobs.
Empower newcomers to develop life-long learning practices
Newcomers need to learn how to access and use the information needed for their personal and professional development through participation in discussion groups, professional knowledge networks, subscription to professional newsletters, online courses, specialized websites…etc.
Empower newcomers to think positively
Newcomers need to learn how to access and use online information on personal development (for example, there are radio stations on personal development and healthy lifestyles). They need to learn how to feel their universal powers. They can learn this from nature including trees, the movement of day and night and the rise of the sun. Positive thinking is a must for success in the Canadian knowledge economy/society. They need it to produce positive and empowering knowledge
Advocate Empowering Environment for Newcomers
Help newcomers understand the importance of knowledge
Improve newcomers access to information Create virtual organizations to provide online settlement
services Promote newcomer assets to the Public Bring language training to a new level Help Canadian Employers recognize the assets of
newcomers Develop the capacities of settlement workers Bring settlement and immigration policies to a new level
Help newcomers understand the importance of knowledgeCreate awareness among newcomer communities to help them understand the importance of knowledge and information in the Canadian knowledge economy/society. In countries of traditional economic systems, internet is used mainly for e-mails, chatting and other forms of communication. Newcomers coming from these countries need to understand that there is an expanding virtual job market, public services are offered online, financial transactions are done online, e-learning opportunities.. .etc. Anyone can produce/use knowledge, dynamics of knowledge and globalization.
Improve newcomers access to information
We need to facilitate newcomer access to internet at their homes so they can make use of the virtual opportunities and flexibility in their new lives in Canada. We need to advocate efforts and policies to bridge the digital gap between Canadian immigrant population and other population groups.
Create virtual organizations to provide online settlement services
This might include services such as personal and professional counseling coaching, networks for newcomers to share their knowledge and stories, online language training. The availability of virtual settlement services will strengthen their confidence and moral. They will feel connected and supported. Unlike traditional settlement (face-to-face), newcomers can access these services at any time.
Initiate public awareness campaigns to promote the contributions and assets of newcomers in our increasingly globalized economy and business environment. The integration of Newcomers should be seen as a priority for All CANADIANS
Promote newcomer assets to the Public
Bring language training to a new level
Advocate the use of new sound technologies in language training to help newcomers reduce their accent. This will enhance the employability chances of newcomers. Foster their confidence and communicative power (ability to exchange knowledge)
Help Canadian Employers recognize the assets of newcomers
Work with Canadian employers to help them recognize the assets of newcomers. How it could be used to facilitate business expansion in the age of globalization. Business expansion facilitated by newcomers benefit Canadian communities and Canada at large. Explain to employers that the traditional requirement of Canadian experience is irrelevant in the new economy. New economy is about creativity and innovation. Standard skills and experiences are less important.
Develop the capacities of settlement workers
Build the capacities of settlement workers to facilitate the challenges facing newcomers in the age of globalization. They need to enhance their knowledge of global cultures and languages, coaching and counseling. Develop their skills in online facilitation and moderation.
Bring settlement and immigration policies to a new level
Work with provincial and federal government to bring settlement and immigration policies to help newcomers play their global role in the new age. The cost of not using the knowledge assets of newcomers is huge. Frustration among newcomers implies weaker communities and higher crime rates. We need to facilitate social trust a among various groups in our communities.
All in all, we need to work together to discover the buried treasures in the minds of newcomers for the benefit of newcomers, Canadian communities, Canadian economy and Humanity at large.
Conclusion
Exit