International Experience Canada (IEC) is the Government of Canada’s Working Holiday visa program, which allows Canadians between 18-35 to work and travel for up to two years in any of over 30 partner countries and territories and for youth from these partners to do the same in Canada. If you see Australian youth working the slopes in Whistler, French youth developing video games in Montreal, or Korean youth working retail in Toronto there’s a good chance they are working and traveling on an IEC visa.

This workshop will explore how CGLCC members can leverage IEC to achieve their business and human resource goals. From attracting young international talent through a simplified visa pathway to bolstering retention and training by offering current employees work abroad experiences at an international office or with partners abroad, this session will explore the many ways CGLCC members can use IEC to their advantage. The session will also outline IEC research that has highlighted the unique barriers that LGBTQ2+ youth face to working and traveling abroad and how innovative partnerships can address them.