For Immediate Release

Rachel Blaney
Executive Director
Immigrant Welcome Centre of Campbell River and Comox Valley
250-830-0171
www.immigrantwelcome.ca

Diversity Lives Here Shows How Diversity Increases Profitability

Campbell River, B.C.,– Willingness of Vancouver Island businesses to hire foreign-born and diverse employees will be a major factor in their long-term success, particularly in the face of a looming labour shortage. A diverse workforce not only increases innovation, productivity and creativity in a company, it also opens up the organization to new markets, increasing profitability. The 2012 ‘Diversity Lives Here’ conference, in Campbell River May 9 and 10, will provide local business leaders with information on diversity in the workplace, to illustrate how they can attract and retain a diverse workforce, helping their business succeed.

Among the concerns business owners report about hiring foreign-born and diverse employees are evaluating foreign credentials and qualifications, lack of understanding of cultural nuances, concerns about managing a diverse workforce and lack of understanding of governmental regulations in recruiting foreign-born employees. ‘Diversity Lives Here’ brings together experts to answer those concerns and show how hiring diverse employees–both foreign and local–can help a business to thrive. Speakers and panelists will examine how diversity in the workforce–including diversity in age, education, nationality and gender–can enhance an organization’s environment and improve its bottom line. Virtually anything business leaders need to know about diverse workforces will be addressed at ‘Diversity Lives Here’.

“Internationally-trained human capital is key to organizations surviving and prospering during the upcoming labour shortage,” says Rachel Blaney, Executive Director of the Immigrant Welcome Centre. “In addition to offering creativity and innovation, diversity in business provides contacts internationally and locally. Foreign-born workers often provide ties to their home country and the local cultural community. Having front-line workers who speak foreign languages can open up new markets to a local business, which further increases profitability.”

Diverse workforces are beneficial to a wide range of industries, and ‘Diversity Lives Here’ delegates and speakers represent stakeholders from many of British Columbia’s industries and associations, including the Truck Logger Association, BC Mineral Exploration and Mining Sector, BC Hydro, the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance, the BC government and various educational institutions. Representatives at Diversity Lives Here include immigration consultants, company officers and executive directors, business owners, employment advisors and training specialists.

Conference attendees will have the opportunity to hear from leading experts in diversity hiring, who will share with participants the ways in which diverse organizations are successful, and how to attract and retain diverse workers. Guests will also have time to network and share ideas with business leaders from across Vancouver Island.

“This workshop is a great introduction to the topic of diversity and an excellent opportunity to broach common subjects that will help business leaders think about the future of business,” says Vic Goodman, Rivercorp CEO.

Diversity Lives Here takes place on May 9 and 10, 2012, in Campbell River.

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