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« Immigration is a priority issue for the city's business community. Our challenge as a group is to attract and retain the best talent-which will allow us to grow our workforce-and to create the conditions for integrating immigrants as smoothly as possible." Michel Leblanc, president and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.
The Interconnection Program
This program comes on the heels of the World on our Doorstep,* which created more than 500 internships in over 150 organizations between 2008 and 2010.
The Interconnection Program, in partnership with Emploi-Québec, provides invaluable contacts between Montreal organizations and qualified newcomers. The program's three aspects combine to make it a comprehensive, flexible and diversified one:
- The internships
Companies and newcomers benefit from a professional exchange in the form of unpaid observation internships that last from one to three days, or practical internships that last up to four weeks.
- The professional meetings
These meetings, which last around one hour, put local professionals-"connectors" who are interested in exploring the skills of newcomers-in contact with immigrants who want to build their professional network in Quebec. After the meeting, connectors share two of their professional contacts with the newcomer.
- The Board of Trade's networking activities
The Board of Trade welcomes newcomers to its networking activities so that they can make connections in the Montreal business community. Those selected will have the chance to attend the training workshop "Developing the Art of Intelligent and Profitable Networking," also offered by the Board of Trade.
Numbers that speak volumes…
Interconnection facts and figures for 2011:
550 pairing activities, including:
210 internships
240 professional meetings
100 networking activities
Close to 100 participating businesses,
75% of which were SMEs
Over 350 participants, from
48 countries
A job placement rate of 60%
A rate of satisfaction of over 90% among immigrants and businesses
4 advisors to guide you through the process!
Does this program interest your company? Get involved!
*Program initiated in partnership with the Ministère de l'Immigration et Communautés Culturelles
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By 2014, over 15% of new jobs will need to be filled by immigrants. Recruiting this talent is therefore a key element to the success of businesses throughout Quebec and in Montréal.
The Interconnection Program allows you to meet qualified, experienced newcomers who are permanent residents and have the right skills for your industry.
Discover a wealth of international skills for your company!
- Internships
Host a qualified immigrant for an internship.
The Interconnection Program allows you to host a qualified professional for an unpaid observational internship lasting one to three days, or for a practical internship, which can last up to four weeks, both of which are non-remunerated.
- Professional meetings
Connect with a qualified immigrant.
Professional meetings can be formal or informal, and are of short duration. They consist of a discussion between you and a new arrival, focusing on your experience, knowledge, and area of expertise.
Following the meeting, you may either begin a more formal hiring process with the new arrival, or refer him to two of your professional contacts. Your contacts can in turn refer the new arrival to two other people, thereby allowing him to rapidly build up his professional network .
The benefits for you and your organization:
- Expand your pool of qualified, competent immigrants;
- Help your industry and your city, Montreal, develop its workforce;
- Meet potential candidates who are eligible for the employment assistance program for immigrants and visible minorities, the Programme d'aide à l'intégration des immigrants et des minorités visibles en emploi (PRIIME*), which offers a wage subsidy upon hiring;1
- Promote your company's image and services within cultural communities;
- Participate in the social and professional integration and retention of these talented emerging professionals Quebec has chosen!
Taking part in the Interconnection program is easy!
- Complete the registration form, indicating the aspect of the program you want to take part in and the desired candidate profile
- Receive résumés that match the profile of candidate you're after
- Choose your candidate
- Receive confirmation of the internship or professional meeting
- Meet the candidate and experience an interconnection!
Help us spread the word about the Interconnection program!
Suggest a company that should take part in the Interconnection program for your chance to win tickets to a Board of Trade activity.
Each month, a pair of tickets for a Montréal Apéro or for a Morning Trends event of your choice will be drawn from among the people who have submitted the name of a company that takes part in the program.
The more suggestions you send in, the better your chances of winning!
To refer us a potential company to take part in the Interconnection program, it is easy! Simply send us an email at interconnexion@ccmm.qc.ca.
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The Interconnection Program lets you make valuable contacts with businesses and organizations in the Montreal area. There are three types of activities:
- Internships
Complete an internship in a Montréal area company to demonstrate your skills and explore local business practices.
The company or organization that selects you determines the type and length of internship (from one day to four weeks), based on its needs and ability to host you. This internship is unpaid.
- Professional meetings
Take part in professional meetings and develop a network of professional contacts in your field of expertise.
At the connector's discretion, the short meetings may be formal or informal. They are a discussion with the connector about your experience, skills and shared fields of expertise. If the meeting goes well, the connector may refer you to two professional contacts. These people may in turn refer you to two other professionals in their network, allowing you to quickly develop your professional network.
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Board of Trade networking activities
Make yourself known to others at networking activities, and create connections with the Montréal business community.
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal will welcome you to networking activities, mainly its Montreal Apéros and business luncheons. To prepare for this type of networking activity, you will have the opportunity to take part in the training workshop "Developing the Art of Intelligent and Profitable Networking" offered by the Board of Trade.
Advantages for you:
- Familiarize yourself with the organizational and entrepreneurial culture of a Quebec company
- Broaden your network of contacts
- Assess your knowledge in your area of expertise
- Become much more skilful in subsequent job interviews
- Boost your self-confidence
Registration
Participants in the three aspects of the program are preselected from the bank of candidates. Register to take advantage of these opportunities!
Program eligibility criteria
To participate in this program, you must:
- Have permanent resident status
- Have been living in Canada for at least the past 5 years
- Hold a professional qualification (training and experience)
- Be seeking a job
Registration access code
To register, you must enter your access code. There are three ways to obtain a code: at the Adapting to Québec’s world of work training session, from an organization’s employment advisor, or by contacting us at the following address: jlalondedionne@ccmm.qc.ca.
Curriculum vitae
To maximize your chances of being selected to take part in one of the program’s activities, make sure to prepare an excellent C.V. that is in keeping with Quebec standards. In order to do so, we ask that you have your C.V. validated by an employment counsellor.
I want to register (in French only)
I am already registered (in French only)
FAQ
What do we expect of candidates registered in the program?
You must be available, interested in the program, ready to participate in one of the activities being offered, and consequently, be able to travel to Montréal and its environs.
Who will contact me to propose a professional pairing activity?
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, as part of one of the activities in the Interconnection program.
Can I send in updates to my curriculum vitae?
Yes, you can make changes to your C.V. and your contact information by accessing your file. In fact, we suggest that you update your C.V. on a regular basis.
Can I submit my curriculum vitae in English?
No, your C.V. must be in French.
After I submit my curriculum vitae, how long must I wait before being offered the opportunity to take part in a pairing activity?
Internships and professional meetings are organized according to companies’ requests. It is therefore impossible to say how long the wait will be. We will only contact you if you are selected to take part in an Interconnection activity.
If I take part in an internship, can I include it on my curriculum vitae?
Yes, and it is highly recommended that you do so. An internship is an excellent gateway to the business world.
Only candidates chosen for one of the Interconnection activities will be contacted.
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The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal recognizes that organizations that work towards immigrant employment play a proactive role in preparing and coaching the new arrivals who apply to take part in the Interconnection program.
With a view towards offering organizations an ongoing supply of new talent, and with a stated goal of encouraging the employment integration of a greater number of new arrivals in their areas of expertise, the Interconnection program team fosters a close and complementary working relationship with employment organizations.
-Does your organization wish to work with the Interconnection program?
Contact Rodica Stavila, Advisor, Interconnection program
514 871-4000, extension 4008
rstavila@ccmm.qc.ca
-Is your organization already working with the Interconnection program?
New!
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, in cooperation with Intégration Jeunesse du Québec, invites you to participate in Un avenir pour chacun!
Become a conference speaker for your industry and take part in speed interviewing to recruit qualified candidates in your field, preselected for your needs.
For more information, visit www.ijq.qc.ca (in French only) or send an email at interconnexion@ccmm.qc.ca.
Learn more about our programme. Company representatives and participants share their testimonials.
Témoignages – Stages
Air Liquide Canada +
Air Liquide Canada
Air Liquide Canada attaches great importance to cultural diversity, and this is why the company immediately accepted to participate in the Interconnection Program. The company has implemented several initiatives that allow it to encourage the integration of immigrants into Quebec’s world of work.
Not only did hosting an immigrant intern have several positive effects on the participant, it was also beneficial for the company and its employees. “We found an intern who was devoted and overflowing with stimulating knowledge for the company. He allowed me to better understand the challenges faced by someone in his situation, and we allowed him to better understand our job market and thereby create a network of contacts. It was a win-win exchange of the most profitable kind.”
-Mike Finkelstein, Director, Major Clients and Product Management
“It’s an excellent experience that allowed me to learn about the operations of a Quebec-based Canadian company, as well as about the recruitment process and human resources policy. During the internship, I was able to speak to company employees at various levels, and share many ideas and points of view on several technical aspects and management methods. I wholeheartedly thank the Board of Trade for having given me this opportunity, and I hope it will be the key to my professional success in my new country.” - Mourad Ziani, intern and chemical engineering professional
Geos Language Academy Montreal +
École de langue GEOS
“GEOS Language Academy Montreal advocates the cultural immersion of each of its students, encourages the integration of each individual in a new country, and helps each new arrival—whether for a short or long period—to develop on a personal and professional level. For all of these reasons, we are delighted to take part in the Interconnection Program. In January 2011, we welcomed Nora Ait Braham from Algeria who helped us for a month by giving French support lessons to our students, and assisting in the management and improvement of teaching materials. At the end of the month, Nora finally became a member of our team of French teachers. She is currently working part-time and may eventually work with us even more.”
-Audrey Malgras-Serra, Marketing Coordinator, GEOS Language Academy Montreal
“Through a practical internship at the GEOS Language School, I was able to become familiar with the world of work in Quebec. I was able to demonstrate my abilities and brush aside any apprehension I may have had regarding a new North American workplace. I hope all new arrivals get the chance to benefit from an internship offered by the Board of Trade. And in order to do so, I invite all immigrants to register for the Interconnection Program, for it is a truly enriching experience.”
-Nora Ait Braham, intern, now French teacher, GEOS Language Academy Montréal
Agence +
L’Agence
“I was found thanks to the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, which, through its World on our Doorstep program, allowed me to participate in an internship at Agence. This two-week internship became my first job in Quebec. I appreciated the availability of the Board of Trade’s team, which followed up with me to make sure that everything was going well.
This is why I continued the tradition by collaborating with the Board of Trade as part of its Interconnection Program. It is thanks to this program that I am working in my field, so it was only logical for me to give others a chance to get integrated into Quebec’s work world by welcoming them into the company as interns. Thanks again for all you do to help integrate new arrivals into Quebec.”
-Cedric Aimo, Jr Eng., Operations Manager, L’Agenceé
Novartis +
Novartis
“The training we received from professionals in the pharmaceutical field at Novartis helped shed some light on several subjects, either by providing information that was as yet unknown to me, or by correcting some erroneous data that I had picked up here and there. The content was more than exhaustive, and the fact that we got to hear several speakers—each of whom came to tell us about their responsibilities, their career paths, and, above all, their personal experience, while also generously providing us with advice—made this meeting an essential and enriching experience. Thank you.”
-Mounia Mimouni, intern and pharmacist
“As a world leader in the pharmaceutical field, and with a head office on Canadian soil located in Dorval, Novartis’s participation in the Interconnection Program was in keeping with our company philosophy. A multinational with activities in over 140 countries around the globe is obliged to be open to the world. In the knowledge industry, we believe that the most crucial asset in determining a company’s success is human potential. This is why we took part in the Interconnection Program, believing that it helps meet a need in welcoming manpower into current and future jobs. The Board of Trade’s initiative is a fantastic one, both for the people who participate in it and for the companies that welcome the participants. It is definitely a win-win approach. We hope to have the opportunity to repeat the experience.”
- Christian Ouellet, Head of Health and Economic Policies, Novartis
Samajam +
Samajam
“Samajam is a high-growth business, and it was with great interest that we discovered the Interconnection Program. We recruit on a regular basis, and at the Board of Trade, we found a dynamic team that, through the Interconnection Program, supports us in our selection of qualified and experienced candidates who come to us from around the world. Our company has been enriched by their broadened vision and new ideas. We therefore thank the entire team at the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal for this major initiative. We will continue to greatly benefit from the program over the coming months!”
-Louis Bellemare, Founding President of Samajam
“My internship was very important and enriching on both the professional and interpersonal levels. Especially since Samajam strongly adheres to the values of hospitality, generosity, and performance that I share, both through my education and my culture of origin. Also, the projects and events in which I was involved really allowed me to consolidate my knowledge and develop new skills. I would therefore like to extend my appreciation to the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, and my gratitude to the entire Samajam team for having extended a hand and given me a chance to use my talents in an energetic, fast developing company.”
-Jamila Taleb, Intern, now in charge of Administration at Samajam
Testimonies – Professional Meetings
Targray Technology International inc +
Targray Technology International inc
“I had the pleasure of getting to know truly qualified new immigrants as part of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal’s professional meetings. The majority of the people referred by the Board of Trade are professionals with the experience and knowledge needed to succeed in Quebec. They have the attitude required in order to transfer the experience they have acquired abroad. I believe that any employer that fails to open his door to them risks losing qualified women and men who are ready to work. Thank you for this great experience.”
-Fernando Valencia, Connector, Customer Service, Representative and Logistics Analyst, Targray Technology International
“I met Mr. Fernando Valencia during a professional meeting as part of the Interconnection Program. After having looked over my CV, he asked me questions about my experience, my goals, and, more precisely, about my job search. He proved to me that I absolutely had to improve my CV in order to attain my professional goals. I followed his advice, which allowed me to improve my chances as a job candidate and, specifically, to find a position in the company at which I am currently employed.”
-Sylvie Rosset, participant
Testimonies – Board of Trade Networking Activities
Patricia Leite, participant +
“The training was truly enriching and surprising. Networking already started during the training period. I had the opportunity to sit next to someone who is the Vice-President of a communications agency who gave me her opinion about the market and about business relationships, and spoke to me about the importance of observational internships. Now, we are in contact with each other. She has shown herself to be very interested in knowing more about my process, and is open to helping me and giving me advice.”
“Regarding the Montréal Apéro, the welcome and support were marvellous. I asked for help in getting to meet the representative of an agency in which I was interested, and the entire team rallied to put me in contact with the individual in question. I later got an interview with the company. I would like to thank the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal for its commitment to the integration of professional immigrants, and I thank them for their excellent work.”
-Patricia Leite, Montréal Apéro attendee and participant in the “Art of Intelligent and Profitable Networking” training session
Photo Gallery
             
Participating companies
Akzo Nobel Canada Inc. | Air Liquide | Ateliers & Saveurs | Bumigeme Inc. | Carrefour Desjardins | Centre de recherches Gongfu de Montréal | Certex (centre de récupération et de recyclage du textile ) | CHAFRIC | Chic Choc, Les Soirées de Montréal | Collège LaSalle | Conseil des arts de Montréal | Commission scolaire de Montréal | Corporation des Entrepreneurs Spécialisés du Grand Montréal Inc | Dialexia | Espace Rezomont | Esthétique Sans Frontières inc | Facilité Informatique | Geos Language Academy Montreal | Gexel | Heart and Stroke Foundation of Quebec | Groupe Samajam inc | KouzinKouzin | Holt Renfrew | Institut international de gestion des grandes métropoles (IIGGM) | L’Agence | La Coop Fédérée | Linkbynet | Lise Watier Cosmétiques | Lorange Design Libre | Metro Inc. | Montreal Science Centre Foundation| Novartis | MSB Ressources Globales | Penté Group | Pharmed Marketing | Progesys Inc. | ProNexia | Productions PlugOeil Inc. | Radio Centre-Ville | SCP SCIENCE | St-Jean et Fils | STM | Ville de Montréal | TechnoMontréal | Them Concept Inc. | Trexia Conseil | Valmax Solutions inc. | Vues d’Afrique | Zone Interkom |
Our team:
Marie-Pier Veilleux, Director, Development, Metropolitan Diversity
Rodica Stavila, Advisor, Interconnection Program
Marie-Christine Ladouceur-Girard, Advisor, Interconnection Program
Alissa Lauriault, Advisor, Interconnection Program
Judith Lalonde-Dionne, Advisor, Interconnection Program
Information, contact:
Judith Lalonde-Dionne, Advisor, Interconnection Program
514 871-4000, ext. 4089
jlalondedionne@ccmm.qc.ca
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With the financial participation of:
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