Global Mobility Spurred On as Canadian Workers are Willing to Relocate
20/05/2008 by Bryan Palmer
Recent survey results have shown that an overwhelming number of Canadian workers are willing to relocate countries in order to accept job offers.
This news is sure to bring a smile to the many countries currently competing in the global marketplace for skilled migrants in order to ease growing shortages.
The survey conducted by Kelly Services Inc collected the views of around 115,000 people across 33 countries. The results relating to Canadians showed that around three-quarters of Canadian workers would be prepared to relocate to a different city in order to find work, and more than half would be willing to move to a different country altogether.
With just over 11,000 people surveyed in Canada alone it seems that the commercial opportunities being offered by other countries and the introduction of new migrant worker programs are effective influences in encouraging many to consider a move.
News of growing global mobility amongst Canadians is great news for those working sectors who cannot find skilled labour in their current location. It seems that people are a lot more willing to up roots and find work tailored to their specific needs, rather than remain in their homeland and subsequently adapt or even re-train in order to find work.
These recent results show that Canadian opinion is mirroring results of actually migration. Another report by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada estimated that 2.7 million Canadians currently live and work overseas.
Speaking about the results Karin French, Vice President and Managing Director of Kelly Services in Canada said that "This is an advantage for both employers and employees. Employers are no longer limited to finding employees within their own backyards. For employees, the chance to move to a different city or country can be an exciting and rewarding professional experience."
Surprisingly the survey also showed that forty percent of people questioned would consider relocating to a country where they weren't fluent in the local language. This contradicts the findings of the same study relating to American citizens, with the majority stating that they would not consider moving to another country for work, especially if the country did not speak their native language.
In sticking with recent news reports concerning increased immigration, the survey showed that thirty-five percent of those relocating are less than 35 years of age.
Nora Ali an Canadian Immigration Worker at Global Visas commented that "the results are not a surprise, we are seeing an increasing number of people opting to relocate from Canada for work opportunities, however this is counteracted with people wanting to migrate there too. Overall such mobility is great news for companies trying to curb skills shortages."
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