Last week's Business Extra featured articles on issues Northland employers need to be aware of when they invest in recruiting skilled people from overseas for their businesses. It also included details of Settlement Support Whangarei's new employer information pack.
Settlement Support co-ordinator Ellen Altshuler said understanding the language, cultural and social issues faced by many migrant families, not just the new employee, is crucial to the success of the placement and maximising the investment the employer has made in bringing the skilled worker to Northland.
Jenny Huddleston, manager for English Language Partners Northland, endorses and adds her organisation's perspective to what Ms Altshuler says:
"It is often the partners of skilled migrants who need most help with their English so that they can feel more confident about participating in our community. Lack of fluency in English can be a major barrier to accessing services within the community, such as making an appointment with the doctor, ringing a repairman and coping with an emergency.
"Once communication improves we see a marked difference in their confidence in dealing with different situations.