| The economic downturn currently gripping America is | | | | Manpower, recently addressed the G20 on the global |
| also being felt across the world. At a recent summit | | | | economy and labor shortages. "The economic |
| of the Group of 20 economic powers, representing | | | | downturn is masking mega trends such as shifting |
| 19 countries and the European Union, the state of | | | | demographics and talent shortages," said Joerres, |
| the economy was marked with uncertainty now and | | | | "which are fundamental rather than cyclical, as |
| optimism is the years to come. | | | | long-term access to the right talent is critical to an |
| Still, the G20 nations expressed a need for the global | | | | organization's employer brand." |
| economy to remain open and called on countries to | | | | Western Europe has long welcomed foreign workers |
| not adopt protectionist attitudes or policies. This | | | | who possess skills that these countries desperately |
| implies that opportunities for overseas employment | | | | need. |
| will not evaporate - the prospective overseas worker | | | | However, there are regulations that have to be |
| will just need to know where to look. | | | | rigorously followed. Work permits must be maintained |
| American workers seeking employment overseas | | | | despite the temptation some overseas workers may |
| could have a lot of talent and expertise to offer their | | | | have to work "off the books." This temptation must |
| foreign employers. After all it is what has happened in | | | | be resisted, because illegal workers once caught will |
| America that has caused repercussions to | | | | get a special passport classification that will deny |
| reverberate around the globe. | | | | them access to the country for periods longer than a |
| Just as the G20 nations discussed, international | | | | couple of weeks or so. |
| collaboration is needed to regulate and oversee | | | | It is important that anyone seeking to work |
| international business, especially financial institutions | | | | overseas gets the right information to avoid being |
| and other agencies that have been blamed for | | | | mislead into a confusing, or even illegal, situation. |
| sparking the current economic conditions. | | | | Typically work permits are only issued for specific |
| In fact, many foreign countries have a massive labor | | | | jobs. This implies that the overseas worker has |
| shortage and this fact will not change no matter the | | | | already secured employment pending approval for |
| economic climate. It's not always highly-trained and | | | | the work permit. Depending upon the country, |
| highly-educated workers that countries desperately | | | | different processes are involved in securing the |
| need, though such a skill set will go a long way in | | | | permit but generally the prospective employer will |
| securing overseas employment. For example, Ontario, | | | | secure the permit for the employee. |
| Canada desperately needs food industry workers. | | | | Other factors that play into the process involve what |
| For years Ontario has implemented a points-system | | | | country you are from and what skill set you offer. |
| for prioritizing who gets a Canadian work permit. The | | | | EU member nations have to demonstrate that the |
| system favored engineers and doctors but neglected | | | | position cannot be filled within EU borders. Highly |
| filling empty slots in low-skilled jobs. Typically, the | | | | trained American's possessing sought-after skill sets |
| food service worker is between the ages of 15 and | | | | have a good chance of getting a long-term work |
| 24. | | | | permit. |
| Currently, Canada has 483,000 food industry workers | | | | Conversely, lower-skilled workers will not get a |
| in that age range. | | | | long-term work permit but could get one for a |
| However, by the year 2025, the number of 15 to 24 | | | | shorter term for seasonal employment in resort |
| year-olds is expected to decline by 345,000 in | | | | cities, for example. |
| Canada. Clearly, our neighbors to the north have a | | | | In the area of overseas employment Immigration law |
| shortage of food industry workers, and young | | | | abroad is complicated. It's important that anyone |
| workers in general. Young people seeking foreign | | | | seeking overseas employment consults with the right |
| employment in Canada have a clear opportunity | | | | people before embarking on such a quest. We are |
| there. | | | | staffed with experts in this area. |
| Jeff Joerres, Chairman and CEO at labor staffer | | | | |