KPMG LLP

Chosen as one of Best Employers for New Canadians for 2009: By Rachel Caballero and Richard Yerema, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Apr 1, 2009) Some of the reasons why KPMG LLP was selected as one of Best Employers for New Canadians 2009: helps new Canadian jobseekers access professional networks in their field of expertise through the Mentoring Partnership program has expanded the scope of their mentorship program by providing four-month, paid Career Bridge internships to immigrants after their mentorship is completed has recently partnered with the newly-formed Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC) to develop projects for new Canadians in their western Canadian offices reimburses the cost of Chartered Accountant equivalency courses or assessments for new Canadian employees writing the CA reciprocity exam requires all employees to complete diversity in the workplace training Providing Access to Professional Networks through Mentoring KPMG is an enthusiastic supporter of TRIEC's the Mentoring Partnership program, which helps new Canadians access professional networks in their field of expertise. Employee mentors coach recent immigrants through the hiring process, familiarize them with Canadian business culture, provide occupation-specific resume help and conduct mock interview sessions. Mentees at KPMG come from a wide range of backgrounds, with a majority of candidates possessing international credentials in financial services fields. Employees mentors receive coaching and other support throughout the mentorship period. Employee mentors attend luncheon discussions where they share best practices and talk about their experiences. KPMG hosts a mentor recognition event for employee participants, and holds regular promotional campaigns to encourage more employees to sign up as mentors. "My mentoring experience with Richa has helped me become a better coach and mentor to my own team, as each member has very different backgrounds and working styles. Being a mentor to someone making the transition to a new country and a new business environment made me reflect on how to make our working culture and business practices more transparent, and appreciate the different perspectives and ideas each of my team members bring." — Gabriella O'Rourke, National Director, Function & Industry Marketing, KPMG Canada Providing Canadian Work Experience Through Internships The firm also provides four-month Career Bridge internships to Mentoring Partnership mentees, if a suitable position becomes available at the firm. KPMG's involvement with Career Bridge began when employee mentors, eager to help their mentees overcome the 'no Canadian experience' employment barrier, started searching for internship or co-op opportunities for them. Career Bridge internships allow host employers, like KPMG, to provide paid placements to internationally-educated professionals, without having to disrupt their existing HR operations. Mentorship and internship programs give employers the chance to see what qualified, internationally-educated professionals have to offer. The potential for employers to recruit bright, skilled new Canadians, eager to prove themselves and succeed, is high, says Michael Bach, National Director for Diversity and new Canadian mentor. Supporting internationally-trained professionals builds loyalty to an organization, he says, which is a win-win situation for everyone.
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Providing Access to Professional Networks through Mentoring

Providing Canadian Work Experience Through Internships