A Canadian immigrant employment agency is re-casting the speed-dating model to help skilled newcomers connect with potential employers and circumvent the usual barriers that accompany a resume filled with foreign work experience and education.

Toronto-based ACCES Employment Services is hosting a mass networking event at the Toronto Board of Trade today to kick off the national rollout of its trademarked Speed Mentoring program.

The event is expected to include more than 100 newcomers looking for work in Canada and a similar number of executives and managers from 65 different companies. With four different rooms devoted to information technology, sales and marketing, engineering and finance, the event will unfold much like a speed-dating event, with 10 minutes for each pair to chat before a bell signals a move to the next table. "The biggest barrier to getting work in their field is their need to connect with people in their profession," says Allison Pond, executive director of ACCES. "It's amazing when we host these speed mentoring sessions how many employers say, 'Oh my God' -- they can't believe the talent that is coming here."

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The Vancouver Sun