2001/2002 PCERII Funded Research Abstract

The proposed research examines the labour market experiences of refugee youth as part of a larger process of social integration. This study can be divided into two parts; the first part compares their work experiences with Canadian-born and immigrant youth, while the second part examines the factors influencing the employment of refugee youth. The main objective of this study is to gain a better understanding of their labour market experiences, as they are a crucial aspect of integration. The data analysis is conducted in two phases. The first phase consists of univariate comparisons of the employment and labour market characteristics of refugee, immigrant and Canadian-born youth. Data for this part of the analysis are obtained from the 1997 Labour Force Survey and the "Resettlement of Refugees in Alberta, 1992-1997" project. The second data analysis phase is more detailed and consists of a multivariate analysis of the later dataset in order to elucidate the factors influencing the labour market transitions and employment of refugee youth. Though integration is more than just labour market experiences, this second part of the analysis will help us better understand an important part of social adaptation. There are several practical, theoretical, and policy implications that can be derived from this research project. On a practical level, the findings would help front-line service providers by providing additional information about the employment-related needs of refugee youth. Theoretically, this research aims to develop a better understanding of one aspect of the integration, as current information does not adequately account for the situation of refugee youth. Finally, possible policy implications include the possibility of funding labour market transition programs that specifically target refugee youth that may ease their integration into the Canadian labour market.

Ongoing Metropolis research inquires into settlement patterns and segregation/congregation of immigrant groups in urban public spaces. Public schools provide a microcosm of these same phenomena. Policies and procedures at the school board and local school levels regarding how space is used are likely to play a significant role in shaping levels of integration and participation among immigrant youth. One example of such policy is the allocation of ESL classrooms within the community and the school itself. Researchers will use the following methods to gather data at one school in Regina and one in Edmonton: a preliminary survey of participant populations, focus group discussions, student-produced mapped images, and still photos of school spaces, audiotaped interviews with students, teachers, administrators, and support staff, and researcher field notes and observations. Results will point to policy and procedural changes that will promote fuller integration and participation of immigrant students in public schooling.