Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto launches New Research Study in Partnership with OISE and MITACS.
TORONTO (ONTARIO) November 27, 2023 - Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto (NEW) is thrilled to launch a new research study in partnership with Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto and Mitacs. This research project was made possible through the Mitacs Accelerate program.
The study, titled Racialized skilled immigrant women’s labour market integration and career advancement in the Greater Toronto Area, aims to examine the experiences of racialized immigrant women in Canada as they navigate the process of transitioning, integrating, and advancing in their careers within the Canadian labour market.
“We are pleased to partner with OISE and MITACS on this very important research project to explore the barriers and facilitators that enable immigrant women to integrate and advance into the labour market. The study results will support our efforts in creating evidence-based programs that support the economic advancement and well being of immigrant women”. says Sara Asalya, NEW ‘s Executive Director.
This is a 24-month longitudinal study, employing a mixed-methods approach. In an effort to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the experiences of racialized immigrant women, the research team will extend invitations to 30 racialized immigrant women engaged with NEW, inviting them to participate in interviews. Additionally, to gain valuable insights into how employers perceive the strengths and potential skill or knowledge gaps affecting the career paths of racialized skilled immigrant women, the study will conduct a number of focus groups with employers across diverse sectors and industries.
“We know that many immigrant women face distinct challenges integrating and advancing in the Canadian labour market, despite the tremendous skills and experience they bring. I am very happy to be partnering with the talented team at NEW and Dr. Norin Taj to investigate both the challenges they face and how to better support their success and advancement.” says Dr. Elizabeth Buckner, an OISE Assistant Professor.
The study aims to comprehensively examine various facets related to the integration of immigrant women in Canada, encompassing their employment prospects, career trajectories, the barriers they face, and the determinants of their success. This research will contribute to the field of immigration policy with a special focus on newcomer immigrant women, which is a largely under researched and overlooked area in Canada. Moreover, very few studies have addressed racialized skilled immigrant women experiences and perspectives.
The results of this study will contribute to a deeper understanding of the barriers faced by this segment. Furthermore, the study findings will offer valuable insights for policy recommendations aimed at streamlining the successful integration of immigrant women into the Canadian labour market.
The study is led by Dr. Norin Taj, a postdoctoral researcher working collaboratively with a team of researchers at NEW and under the supervision of Dr. Elizabeth Buckner, an Assistant Professor in the Leadership, Higher, and Adult Education Department of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.
About Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto
The Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto (NEW) is an award-winning not-for-profit charity organization that was founded by a group of Latin American refugees in 1983 with a vision of strong women building strong communities. A multi-service agency with operations in three Toronto locations serving thousands of Immigrants and Refugees annually. The agency was awarded a Non-profit Employer of Choice Award in 2020! The Canadian Non-profit Employer of Choice™ Awards (NEOC) recognizes organizations across Canada that have committed themselves to better business management practices to achieve their mission. With 40 years of operations, NEW has been providing settlement, employment, youth programs and services, as well as English language training for newcomers and immigrants. NEW also delivers special programs focused on immigrant women empowerment, leadership and skills development, mentorship and career advancement for immigrant and refugee women.
Press Contact:
Sara Asalya, Executive Director
Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto