The Use of Human Capital and Limitations of Social Capital in Advancing Economic Security among Immigrant Women Living in Central Alberta, Canada
Abstract
This paper focuses on experiences of settlement and seeking employment of immigrant women in Central Alberta. The study shows that immigrant women tend to rely on their family, ethnic, and religious networks to “survive” in the first stages of settlement, as well as when seeking employment. However, the support that they can receive from their social networks is limited because: (1) their family and friends themselves often lack economic resources; (2) their non-Canadian skills and credential are not always recognized by employers; (3) they have low income and have difficulty accessing training and educational programs that may be recognized by Canadian employers; (4) they are burdened by childcare; (5) some experience language barrier that affect their confidence and mental health.
Notes
Key recommendations
NA
Gaps identified
Immigrant women experience challenges when seeking employment in Canada
Key findings
Immigrant women rely on family, ethnic, and religious networks as a “survival” resource at the initial stage of their settlement and seeking employment. But it doesn’t always help them to achieve economic security because their family and friends themselves often lack economic resources.
Main challenges to employment:
recognition of non-Canadian credentials and skills
getting Canadian training/education
language barrier
low income
childcare
This challenges affect women’s confidence and mental health
Location
Central Alberta: Red Deer and surrounding rural communities
Key populations
Immigrant women
Integration timeline
At what point during the integration process the study was conducted?
Had lived in Canada for less than ten years
Open-access – Yes
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/7/11/220/htm
Community organizations