Naval Bajaj addressing the group of mentors and mentees at the launch of
the fourth module of ICCC's mentoring program

Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce launches fourth round of mentoring program

Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) launched its fourth module of the mentoring program on 19 September 2012. This will be the first module that will cater to participants from different sectors; hitherto, the program had focussed on a specific sector.

The program will be conducted over five technical sessions and cover topics such as

• Skill development
• Understanding of Canadian work culture
• Resume writing
• Interview handling
• Job search techniques

Speaking on the occasion, Naval Bajaj, President, ICCC, said that the main objectives of this program is to connect internationally trained Indo-Canadian newcomers with successful Indo-Canadian professionals to help build useful networks and learn tips and tricks to achieve their career goals in Canada.

Narrating his own experience as a newcomer to Canada, Naval said the biggest stumbling block a newcomer faces is that he knows nobody. “A new immigrant is unaware of the country’s work culture, style of living, working conditions. And most importantly, he has no network of professionals from his own field. All these aspects combine to result in the newcomer having to opt for survival jobs and their skills developed in a particular field goes in vain,” Naval said.

He observed the mentoring program was launched because ICCC realised this lacunae, and wanted to help newcomers. “The faster newcomers get into their chosen vocation, the faster they’re able to contribute to the fabric of the Canadian society and its economy,” Naval emphasized.

Aviral Goel, Director, ICCC’s Young Professionals & New Immigrants Committee said that through the mentoring program, ICCC will take the initiative to introduce young successful professionals to the newcomers. “We organize many business and social networking events and meetings for our members and these can also help newcomers,” he noted.

Srini Iyengar, Director Multicultural Markets, BMO Bank of Montreal also shared his experiences from the previous mentoring sessions with the attendees.

ICCC will organise joint sessions of all the mentees for resume writing and survival skills required for the job market.  The Chamber will also help mentees by having sessions with the experts from different fields who may inspire the mentees in broadening their horizon and motive them to make better career choices more suited to their new environment. These sessions will benefit the mentees to develop a better understanding for the Canadian labour market.

The mentors for the program have been carefully chosen from professional pool of talent available within its membership to help the mentee in their professional networking and job search strategies. The mentors are specialists in their filed and have a vast experience in Canada which will help the mentees by sharing their own experience in life.