WIS expands support for newcomers

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/02/2025 (201 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Westman Immigrant Services (WIS) has increased its capacity to support newcomers since implementing its 2021 Strategic Plan, assisting nearly three times more clients, executive director Enver Naidoo told the Sun.

He said the organization has focused on identifying and addressing service gaps to better meet the needs of those it currently serves and those who were previously underserved.

“Looking at the immigration landscape, immigrants and newcomers come to our community through various pathways. As these individuals and families are unique, we developed some innovative practices to enhance our client-centred approach,” Naidoo said. “Looking at our data, we can see that the changes we are making are working.”

One of the biggest challenges facing newcomers in Brandon is securing gainful employment, an issue that exists nationwide. Many immigrants arrive with valuable skills and experience but struggle to find work that matches their qualifications, often leading to underemployment.

Naidoo said this not only affects individual immigrants but also limits economic growth.

“To address unemployment and underemployment, we started to explore new ways of supporting these talented immigrants and newcomers with expanded operations, extended service hours and new programs and partnerships,” he said.

Another pressing issue is the limited availability of child care spaces. Long waitlists have created obstacles for working parents. In response, WIS is in the process of establishing a $10-a-day child-care centre with 32 spaces in Brandon.

“The process is involved, but recognizing the positive impact for our clients, labour force and community, we will keep working through the steps to get established,” Naidoo said.

Brandon’s population growth has been fuelled by immigration, making investment in newcomer services critical. While WIS has received strong support from funders, community partners and all levels of government, Naidoo acknowledged that resources will always be a challenge.

“Looking ahead, there are still areas where we see more investment needed, but realistically speaking, there will never be enough funding,” he said. “It is important that we look at practical opportunities to manage challenges and explore new innovative solutions.”

WIS has taken a holistic approach to social and economic inclusion, aiming to help clients grow their independence and achieve their own definitions of success. Recognizing that immigrants and newcomers do not live in isolation, WIS also supports community stakeholders involved in the integration process.

Through the Rural Manitoba Immigrant Employment Council (RMIEC), WIS provides free support to employers to enhance how they attract, hire, and retain immigrant talent. The organization has also hosted several Rural Manitoba Workforce Summits to gain insights from employers and stakeholders. According to Naidoo, a successful initiative is Talent Match, which connects immigrant job seekers with employers.

“We have had some great success,” Naidoo said. “At the end of the month, we will be opening up registration for a virtual Rural Manitoba Workforce Summit taking place at the end of March to bring stakeholders from across the province together.”

Fostering meaningful connections between newcomers and long-time residents remains a priority for WIS.

“As an immigrant, my experience is that Brandon, the region, and the province have been very welcoming,” Naidoo said. “While there is still work to be done to address some systemic barriers, through engagement and education we will be able to better inform and hopefully better understand different perspectives.”

» aodutola@brandonsun.com

» X: @AbiolaOdutola