Employer Retention Specialist

POSITION TITLE: Employer Retention Specialist

COMPANY: Skills for Change

LOCATION: 21 King St W 5th Floor, Hamilton, ON

REPORTS TO: Supervisor, Programs and Services

CONTRACT TYPE: Indefinite (Union)

HOURS 35 hours per week (Monday-Friday with occasional evening and/or weekend hours)

PAY RATE $24.64

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY:

With 41 years of operations, Skills for Change is a highly respected non-profit charity with a province wide reputation for pioneering

programs that respond to shifting immigration and workplace trends and lead to employment. We offer a range of accelerated programs

including mentoring, employment, settlement, language training together with specialized programs for skilled trades, women, and youth.

We have 5 locations across the GTA and serve 16,000 clients annually.

PROGRAM NATURE AND SCOPE:

The Skilled Trades and Workforce Development programs support newcomers, internationally trained professionals, women, and

underrepresented job seekers in accessing sustainable careers in the skilled trades sector. Programs provide participants with industry specific training, employment readiness support, wraparound services, employer connections, and pathways to apprenticeship and

employment opportunities across the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA).

Supporting the Skilled Trades and Workforce Development portfolio, the Employer Retention Specialist will establish and maintain

meaningful relationships with employers, industry partners, unions, and sector stakeholders to support participant retention and long-term

employment outcomes. The Specialist will work closely with employers to identify workforce needs, support onboarding and retention

strategies, and address workplace challenges that may impact participant success. The role will also support employers in fostering

inclusive workplaces and strengthening pathways for newcomers and underrepresented individuals pursuing careers in the skilled trades.

The Specialist will play a key role in expanding and sustaining Skills for Change’s employer network while supporting participant success

and long-term workforce attachment.

The ideal candidate has:

• A passion for supporting the successful integration of refugees and immigrants into the Canadian workforce.
• Proven experience in program development, particularly in designing and implementing effective mentoring and employer engagement strategies.
• A track record of building and maintaining strong relationships with employers, industry associations, and community agencies.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to identify and leverage opportunities for collaboration and partnership.
• Excellent networking and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at various levels.
• Demonstrated proficiency in client relationship management, employing diverse sales approaches, and implementing successful recruitment strategies.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively convey complex information to diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to multitask, prioritize, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. A solid understanding of the current labor market, including employer expectations, in-demand skills, and education requirements. Empathy, cultural sensitivity, and a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by refugees and immigrants. A commitment to continuous learning, staying updated on market trends, and being proactive in identifying opportunities for skills and education training.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the development and execution of an employer retention strategy and activities to support employers’ preparedness for labour market trends as it relates to newcomer and refugee settlement and integration into the labour market
• Aid the development of coaching techniques on strategies to create opportunities for newcomer employment and employment for equityseeking groups to roll out to employers and their HR units.
• Assist with the development of a process to engage employers on the unique skills of clients and identifying specific needs of the role. Work with employers on the interview process and to develop training plans to support client success.
• Create a process to track the clients’ employment and ongoing employer needs.
• Develop new job opportunities and postings with existing employers, aligning with our strategic targets and increasing diversity of programs from which employers hire
• Track employer recruitment activities and develop cross-selling tactics.
• Collaborate on the creation of strategies to engage new employers,
• provide presentations on Skills for Change’s services to grow employer services.
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to develop employment objectives.
• Provide subject matter expertise for an online employer portal, focused on employer supports to hire and retain clients.
• Contribute to the online marketing of new and existing employer services.
• Design and deliver engaging and innovative events and workshops for potential employers.
• Attend relevant community meetings; participate in relevant councils, roundtables and committees
• Measure and report on the performance of all outreaches, marketing and assess impact
• Actively contribute to business planning and performance monitoring to support agreement and delivery of program/agency targets
• Develop and maintain a collaborative relationship with different functional groups
• Maintain employer files, update employer information on Funders’ and Agency required databases
• Participate in the evaluation of the program’s effectiveness and present solutions to enhance service effectiveness on an ongoing basis and as part of the larger agency service system
• Participate in team meetings, staff meetings, and all other board and committee meetings as required
• Handle all other duties as assigned by Management

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• post-secondary degree in marketing, administration, social services, immigrant settlement, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in client relationship management, recruitment strategies, and marketing to employers using
• Excellent interpersonal and client-focused skills, with a positive attitude towards change.
• Exceptional verbal, written communication, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office, Google Suite, and the ability to create and deliver compelling presentations.
• Excellent time management and teamwork skills.
• Knowledge of the current labor market, employer expectations, and training and education requirements.
• Understanding of the unique challenges and concerns faced by refugees and immigrants.

Skills for Change provides learning and training opportunities for immigrants, refugees and equity seeking groups to access and fully participate in the workplace and wider community to persons with disabilities to newcomers to Canada (including refugees) to Indigenous peoples to members of a visible minority to children or youth to women of all ages including seniors to the LGBTQ2 community.

Skills for Change offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in each stage of the hiring process. If you are contacted regarding a job opportunity, please advise if you require accommodation. This document is available in alternate format on request. We thank all applicants for their interest in this position, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted

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