“Intercultural effectiveness” a key ingredient

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI – Feb. 5, 2014 – A free three-hour workshop, slated for Tuesday, Feb. 25, in Charlottetown, will help employers and employees as well as members of the business world and community organizations to become more “interculturally effective” and thereby better able to integrate immigrants into their workplace.

The workshop, offered in English, will run from 1-4 p.m. in the Bayou Lounge at the Carrefour de l’Isle-Saint-Jean in Charlottetown. The trainer will be Paula Gallant from the Charlottetown firm Training and Facilitation.

This training is organized through RDÉE Prince Edward Island’s LIENS project, which aims specifically to help integrate French-speaking immigrants into the PEI workforce. Anglophone participants will see how hiring a bilingual person can help raise their levels of service. Bilingual participants are also welcomed.

“Prince Edward Island’s population is more and more diverse with a growing immigrant population, including francophone immigrants. It is becoming increasingly important for local businesses to benefit from this talent and diversity in a global economy,” notes Gallant. “Employers need to understand the importance of this immigrant population and the opportunities it offers to them. This course will provide information and insight on how to work effectively with people from another culture, including people who speak a different language.”

During this three-hour workshop, participants will learn:
• the benefits to hiring immigrants, including francophone immigrants;
• the definition of culture;
• an understanding of different cultural norms and their impact on communication;
• how to communicate with people of another culture;
• and how to adapt one’s professional approach to ensure the integration of immigrants
into the workplace.

“The workshop provides information about and insight into the most common challenges faced by local employers when recruiting and integrating immigrants into the workplace. The course will cover practical tips and suggestions for addressing these challenges. This workshop can help an employer take steps towards creating an inclusive work environment. It will also provide practical tools, tips and techniques for bridging the cultural gap and ensuring healthy, respectful communication,” Gallant concludes.

All those who are interested in participating in this free workshop are asked to register by Friday, Feb. 21, by contacting Catherine Rioux at (902) 370-7333, Ext. 404, or at catherine@rdeeipe.org.

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CUTLINE: Trainer Paula Gallant will deliver a free, three-hour workshop on the integration of immigrants into the workplace on Feb. 25 at the Carrefour in Charlottetown.

For more information:
Catherine Rioux
LIENS project coordinator
(902) 370-7333, Ext. 404
Catherine@rdeeipe.org