Employer Webinar Series in Northern Alberta: Supporting the Successful Attraction and Retention of Diverse Talent

The purpose of this series is to support rural and northern employers in building strong, productive and sustainable workplaces by sharing simple, actionable strategies that respond to today’s workforce realities.

This series features 5 employer-related training topics.

• This series is open to anyone, but is designed to provide the most benefit to employers. 
• 90-minute virtual sessions.
• A resource toolkit will be provided after each session.
• Post session surveys will be disseminated after each training to gather feedback and improve training facilitation and outcomes.
• A certificate of completion will be distributed to participants who attend all five virtual training sessions.

Register Here 

Session One:  Economic Immigration as a Workforce Strategy 

March 31 | 2 p.m. 

• Overview of the Canadian immigration system (high level, employer-relevant).
• Temporary vs. permanent pathways and why it matters for employers.
• First steps for employers hiring or considering hiring diverse talent, including when to seek support from a Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).

• Rural workforce realities and local labour shortages.

  ---

Session Two: Effective Hiring and Onboarding Practices for a Diverse Workforce 

April 13 | 2 p.m. 

• Inclusive recruitment and candidate screening practices.
• Recognizing and reducing bias in hiring decisions, including navigating “Canadian experience” among potential candidates.
• Effective onboarding for diverse talent.
• Setting clear expectations and early performance support.

• Tools and strategies that improve early retention.

  ---

Session Three: Understanding the Needs of Diverse Talent 

April 28 | 2 p.m.

• Best practices to support diverse talent.
• The social and cultural needs of diverse talent in and beyond the workplace.
• Labour force challenges of diverse talent.

• Understanding through storytelling and lived experience.

  ---

Session Four: Building a Positive Workplace Culture 

May 12 | 2 p.m. 

• How businesses can strengthen their workplace by leveraging employee talent.
• Strengthening communication, teamwork and trust.

• Understanding multiple identities and lived experiences.

  ---

Session Five: Resilient Workplaces and Leadership Strategies to Support the Workforce

May 26 | 2 p.m. 

• Strong leadership and how it can strengthen workforce culture.
• Building trust, belonging, and safety.
• Aligning policies and practices with inclusion.
• Effective communication across different backgrounds.