Benefits of Joining a Professional Immigrant Networks (PINs) Association

Moving to a new country is an exciting adventure, but it can also pose challenges, especially for skilled newcomers facing language barriers, cultural adjustments, and navigating the job market on their own. However, the Toronto Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) offers support through the Professional Immigrant Networks (PINs) initiative, a network of professional and alumni associations that are volunteer-run and immigrant-led, serving immigrants in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Representing over 20 professions and 100 countries, these associations aim to help newcomers build networks and succeed in their careers.

For newcomers in Canada, joining a TRIEC PINs association brings various benefits, ranging from professional growth and networking opportunities to career resources, leadership development, and community support. This article explores these advantages through the lens of three PINs associations: the Chinese Project Management Professional Association of Canada (CPMP), Hispanotech, and the Networking Group for New Immigrants in Canada (NIC).

PINs associations present numerous opportunities for newcomers to widen their professional networks within their fields. For instance, NIC hosts a free networking group on LinkedIn that’s accessible to all newcomers. This group facilitates interactions among hiring managers, job seekers, and immigrant professionals across various sectors, sharing job leads and industry-specific information. Similarly, Hispanotech organizes networking events alongside their partners, including employer partners and other PINs associations, creating an engaging environment for meaningful exchanges that often lead to job interviews and placements.

PINs associations are invaluable hubs for continuous learning and career development within the Canadian workforce. Take CPMP as an example: it offers training programs tailored for immigrant professionals in project and product management, featuring free online workshops and interview preparation tools developed by immigrant experts. Hispanotech, meanwhile, develops AI-powered tools to assist job seekers in getting jobs in Canada. In addition, volunteering with Hispanotech provides hands-on experience in a professional Canadian setting, where volunteers engage in projects suited to their abilities, gaining new skills and strategies. Likewise, NIC seeks volunteers to co-manage the networking group, presenting a unique opportunity to both contribute and grow.

Newcomers often evolve into leaders within the PINs associations over time. At Hispanotech, for example, volunteers enhance their leadership capabilities through diverse roles such as moderating panels, organizing events, and creating marketing assets. A senior CPMP member who transitioned from participating in seminars to enrich her professional expertise to becoming a key figure in the leadership team is a testament to this growth. She saw how everyone was so into helping fellow immigrant professionals, and it really got to her heart. As one of the PINs leaders, she is now guiding others to succeed in their career journeys in Canada. The PINs associations are more than networks, they are supportive communities. They work together, share resources, and support one another. It’s about immigrants giving a hand to help newcomers get ahead and grow strong together, while benefiting Canada’s economy, society, and culture in the process.

Leverage the benefits of joining a PINs association for a holistic professional journey in seeking meaningful employment and career development in Canada: you do not have to be alone. Find out which PINs association can best suit your needs by visiting the PINs directory: https://triec.ca/pins/directory/