Local Economic and Employment Development (LEED) From Immigration to Integration: Local Solutions to a Global Challenge

Today the battle for talent is as important as the battle for capital. In the knowledge economy, skilled migrants can offer a significant comparative advantage to local economies. Unskilled migrants are also in demand, particularly where demographic change reduces the self-sufficiency of local labour markets. Yet for the potential advantages of migration to be harnessed, it is crucial that immigration be accompanied by integration, or effective mechanisms for ensuring that immigrants are incorporated into labour markets, the economy and society. Paradoxically, at the same time that migration is increasing in global importance, there is worrying evidence that integration results do not seem to be as favourable as they were in the past. The integration of immigrants is a policy area where a local approach is critical. While immigration policy is often determined, designed and funded at the national level, its impact on migrants and society is more strongly felt at the local level where other policies interact. This publication highlights principles and factors which are important in supporting integration locally. A comparison of local initiatives implemented in five OECD countries -- Canada, UK (London), Spain, Italy, Switzerland -- answers key questions facing all policy makers and stakeholders working in this field. This book provides a set of concrete policy recommendations for implementation at both local and national levels. The integration of immigrants at the local level is a topic of significant interest for OECD countries. The growing importance of the knowledge economy means that the battle for talent is becoming as important as the battle for inward investment, and skilled migrants can offer a significant comparative advantage to local labor markets, as long as their potential is harnessed. Unskilled migrants are also in demand, particularly where rising living costs make lower paid jobs unattractive to the native population, and where demographic change and population movement combine to reduce the self-sufficiency of local labor markets. For the potential advantages of migration to be maximized, however, it is crucial that immigration is accompanied by integration, that is, effective mechanisms for ensuring immigrants are effectively incorporated into local labor markets. Paradoxically, at the same time that migration is increasing in global importance, there is worrying evidence that integration results do not seem to be as favorable in a number of countries as they were in the past.--Publisher summary Integrating immigrants : finding the right policy mix to tackle a governance problem -- / by Sylvain Giguère From immigration to integration : comparing local practices -- / by Francesca Froy Integrating immigrants in Canada : addressing skills diversity -- / by Bob Birrell and Elisabeth McIssac Innovating in the supply of services to meet the needs of immigrants in Italy -- / by Jonathan Chaloff Routes into employment for refugees : a review of local approaches in London -- / by Anne E. Green Local responses to a new issue : integrating immigrants in Spain -- / by Mary P. Corcoran Focusing on the young : integration in Switzerland-- / by Steve Fenton.