(AlbertaIndex, June 25, Wednesday) --- The provincial government and Calgary City have teamed up to send a trade mission to Europe to attract immigrants and promote labour opportunities in Alberta.

        Hector Goudreau, Minister of Employment and Immigration, will meet with government and Canadian Embassy officials, and business groups in Germany and the UK from June 24 to July 2. Goudreau and his delegation will explore ways to address the province’s labour shortages.

Calgary City mayor Dave Bronconnier will be leading a delegation of Calgary companies to the London Job Expo to attract skilled workers in the UK later this month. The delegation, which includes The City of Calgary, Calgary Health Region, Calgary Economic Development and several private companies, will be promoting Calgary’s opportunities and lifestyle.

Through on-going campaigns, the Alberta government said it has been able to attract workers in many high-demand occupations, including health care, emergency services, construction and the tourism and hospitality industry.

Goudreau will focus discussions on the restructuring of the National Health Service in the UK, which could open more doors overseas for qualified doctors, nurses and other health professionals. He will also meet with the Canadian Embassy in Berlin and the Canadian High Commission in London to exchange information on immigration promotion and targets.

Over the next year, the Alberta government plans to increase to 50,000 the number of temporary foreign workers and immigrants, including those arriving through the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program.

His mission will end in London where Goudreau will raise Alberta’s profile at the Opportunities Canada Expo job fair and take part in Canada Day festivities at Canada House and Trafalgar Square.

He said: “There’s a lot to be gained from our meetings in Europe. There are limitless opportunities for skilled workers in this province and we see this mission as a chance to further develop our labour force to the benefit of all Albertans.”

With a similar goal in mind, Calgary’s Mayor Bronconnier and his delegation will encourage thousands of skilled workers seeking to emigrate from the UK to make Calgary their new home.

He said: “Our labour market is changing. We are seeing growth combined with an aging workforce which means we need to adapt. That means expanding our skills training at home, but another major facet is seeking out people with the skills we need, and making sure they know what Calgary has to offer.”

The UK labour market offers excellent opportunities for Canadian firms seeking workers. According to the UK Office of National Statistics, 385,000 people left Britain in 2005-2006, a level of emigration not seen in decades.  British workers have many of the skills required in Canada today, and language and cultural commonalities make Canada an attractive destination.

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