I really enjoyed reading John Ibbitson’s article Immigration’s benefits are a matter of fact in the Globe and Mail (Saturday January 12, 2019). According to Ibbitson, last year new immigrants were more likely to have jobs than native-born Canadians! Aha.
So it turns out that new arrivals in Canada are finding work and helping our economy grow. They are flourishing! And that’s how it should be.
And as Canada’s population gets older, immigration will likely save us and ensure our prosperity.
Meet Allan
Landscaping is a perfect work vehicle for new immigrants because it’s easy to enter the trade and there is demand for good workers. Once landscapers get experience they can get their trade papers by sitting the Red Seal Journeyman exams for landscape horticulturists.
Let’s consider the case of my friend Allan, a native of Syria, who fled the country eight years ago as war tore apart his homeland. He’s lucky he got out with his wife and four kids through Turkey.
English skills
Stephen Harper’s government worried- correctly, I think- about the language and work skills of new immigrants. Allan definitely needed help on both fronts. But, now in 2019, he will finally get a chance to become a landscape foreman with extra responsibilities. That’s a nice milestone to celebrate.
Of course, his day job boss deserves much credit for helping Allan and for taking chances. Allan knows it. Finding a good company is critical.
Because Allan’s English still needs work, he attends classes three times a week. And when we happen to work together, I have to train him in landscaping and correct his English on the go. He’s lucky I was once a pre-teen immigrant from East Europe so I know about the early immigrant struggles. ESL help is definitely not part of my landscape supervisor job description. But clear communication is essential if we hope to eliminate costly mistakes. So I help out.
Ageism
Ageism isn’t cool but it’s there, just under the surface. When you combine middle-age and poor language skills, you can imagine how young Canadians might find it challenging to work with Allan. Let’s just say there’s been some friction so for this season Allan will most likely maintain smaller landscapes without the need for many helpers. As his English improves it should be easier for him to handle the people aspect of the industry.
Technical skills
Technical skills are just as critical. Here Allan’s boss again deserves credit for exposing him to new situations, landscapes and machines. And like language skills, this area of expertise requires time in the field. Remember, Red Seal trade exams test your experience not just book knowledge.
Luckily, new immigrants can get jobs in landscaping because workers are in demand in 2019 and most companies train their workers. I’ve spent lots of time with Allan in the field, making him -I humbly submit- into a better landscaper.
eBooks
To help new landscapers with their work life, I have written four eBooks, available on Amazon for the price of one Starbucks coffee or less for each one.
How to become a landscape professional is written for new people considering entry into the trade. It’s full of useful hints, I think.
Treated like dirt! examines the daily life of professional landscapers and it’s, therefore, a nice companion to the eBook above.
Landscape tree maintenance is for non-arborist landscapers who handle trees in the landscape and may be new to handling trees. This primer will help them until they sit the ISA certified arborist exam which requires three years of experience in the field.
Common Strata Plants is probably the most important eBook for new landscapers because it covers the basic 100+ species they will handle in strata (multi-family) complexes and on commercial sites.
I know that Allan struggles in this area so I’m openly pushing him to invest into my cheap eBook. Then he’ll just practice in the field.
Side-hustling Allan
Side-hustling is very common now and applies to all Canadians, native-born and immigrants. It’s about keeping your day job and seeing new money-making opportunities. You can add extra income and fun to your life. The best resource for this is James Altucher’s The side hustle bible.
Allan’s boss generously hooked him up with overtime and easy side-jobs when he needed extra income. Incredibly, Allan rejected some of these opportunities, thereby losing the chance to expand his social network. Networking is crucial for new immigrants, not just a quick extra dollar. Don’t make this mistake.
Now, in 2019, Allan got a new website made for his side-hustle by a green company which also operates as a side-hustle! Immigrants with large families must make lots of cash because they often start at the bottom.
Stephen Harper created the Fast Track program for skilled immigrants and for those with money to invest. Allan had to do it the hard way.
Conclusion
Landscaping is a great trade for new immigrants because workers are in demand, training is provided, resources are available and Red Seal trade papers can be obtained. And you don’t need perfect English to work as a landscaper.
