b'WORKFORCE TALENTExecutive Director Bethany Rupp with Kerl Ocampo, one of the first IENs to arrive at peopleCare Meaford LTC in February 2023and oriented the new team members,One of peopleCares keythe Ministry of Labour, Immigration, helping them to get settled. Alongcommitments to our IENs is toTraining and Skills Development with starting early (a process wesupport them as they pursueOntario, the CARE Centre has thought would take six to eightprofessional registration in Ontario.been supporting IENs to return to months actually took around According to Rupp, what that lookstheir profession, gain employment, 12 months), her top takeaway forlike is everything from helping themintegrate into the Ontario health care those interested in augmentingfind permanent housing, to ensuringworkplace and excel in their careers their care team with IENs is to getthey can complete clinical placementfor over two decades.help from an established partnerhours in the home if needed, toLife in Canadaorganization that knows the ins andoffering scheduling flexibility so they outs of recruiting overseas. Dontcan study or sit their exams. These areAn added benefit of hiring health care go through this process alone. Getvery smart, driven and accomplishedstaff from overseas is the opportunity a partner to help you, says Rupp.people who have already tackled ato support newcomers who want There are organizations that arelot of barriers to get where they areto make a better life for themselves ready, willing and able to assist.today, says Rupp. So while its upand their families in Canada, which Consider just the travel planning to each IEN to take the next steps tosuits values-based peopleCares alone for these dozens of arrivals achieve their professional goals herecommitment to having a positive from all over the world. We knew thisin Ontarioand I have no doubt theysocial impact. was not something we could take will be successfulour team will do on ourselves. whatever it takes to make sure theyKerl Ocampo is one of the first IENs feel comfortable, supported who arrived in Meaford last winter. The consulting agency peopleCareand encouraged.While he was born in the Philippines, worked with selected and pre- and previously worked in ICUs in screened candidates based on ourFor instance, peopleCare partneredcountries like Saudi Arabia, it was criteria, facilitated the paperworkwith the CARE Centre for IENs toalways his dream to live and work in required by the government andhost an information session thatCanada. Working with community supported our new hires in makinghighlighted the organizations variouspartners, peopleCare helped to their way to Ontario. peopleCaremembership programs and servicesconnect Ocampo and the other shortlisted, interviewed and selectedto support the IEN journey and helpedIENs with government, social and candidates and secured temporaryexplain the registration process andnewcomer services and supports, not housing. The IENs took care of theirpathways outlined by the CNO. Withto mention local spiritual and service own work permits, visa and residencyfunding support from Immigration,clubs and organizations based on applications and associated fees. Refugees and Citizenship Canada andtheir interests. Im looking forward to 10 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Fall/Winter 2023'