Leveraging Shared Talent

-The Future of Canadian-Chinese Cooperation

Dr. Eva Busza and Kenny Zhang Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada

Presentation to Conference on Transforming Canada-China Educational Cooperation: Significant Legacies and Future Challenges

May 9-10, 2014, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China

1

2

Outline

I. Introduction

II. Key Research Findings

III. Policy Recommendations

IV. Conclusion

asiapacific.ca

2

I. Introduction: A New Era in Human

Capital Mobility

Global development

Where China and Canada fit in the new landscape

An opportunity for deepening China-Canada cooperation

Leveraging shared talent: A CCHCD joint project

asiapacific.ca

3

II. Key Research Findings

To understand the human capital flows between Canada and China;

To identify key factors that contribute to the bilateral human capital flows; and

To develop and share policy recommendations and good practices to improve the management of human capital flow between the two countries.

asiapacific.ca

4

1) Characteristics of Human Capital

Flows between Canada and China

The scale of human capital exchange increases significantly.

The composition of the human capital flows becomes diversified,

including immigrants/residents, international students and foreign

workers.

The direction of human capital flows is no long a one-way street,

but a two-way exchange.

The shared talent pool is growing (The human capital exchanges

created multiple attachments to both countries).

asiapacific.ca5

Evidence: Flows from China to

Canada

Entry Category(2000-2012)

Canada Total

Those from China

Share of China in Total (%)

Immigrants 3,201,691 435,718 14%

International Students 1,036,800 168,337 16%

Foreign Workers 2,498,964 24,181 1%

Transition from IS or FW to IM* 97,519 28,085 29%

asiapacific.ca

Source: CIC Facts and Figures, 2009, 2010, 2012;

* (2001-2010) date request tracking number: RE-12.0382 6

Evidence: Flows from Canada to

China

Entry Category China TotalThose from

CanadaShare of Canada

in Total (%)

Foreign Residents (2010)* 593,832 19,990 3%

International Students (2012)** 328,330Less than

4000 1%

Work Permits (2012)*** 200,000 ? ?

Foreign Experts (Selected 5 countries: 2008-2012)**** 96,714

12,796(27% born in

China) 13%

asiapacific.ca

Source: *China’s NBS, 2010 Census;

http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/tjgb/rkpcgb/qgrkpcgb/201104/t20110429_30329.html;

**China Association for International Education: http://www.cafsa.org.cn/index.php?mid=6&tid=615;

***CCTV: http://news.cntv.cn/china/20120307/116425.shtml

****CAPS presentation 2012: http://www.asiapacific.ca/sites/default/files/7-canadian_experts_in_china.pdf

7

Shared Talent

asiapacific.ca

Canada China

Shared Talent

(Attached to both sides)

• International Migration

• International Education

• International Employment

8

2) Factors Affecting Human Capital Flows

between China and Canada

asiapacific.ca9

Flows of Human Capital

Government Policy

School/ University

Professional Organization and

NGOEmployer

Mobile Individual

10

3) Talent Strategies & LimitationsCurrent Approach – Competition Strategies:

Selecting talent: from supply-driven to demand-driven.

Building the pathway from a temporary stream to permanent one.

Recruiting foreign students.

Leveraging Diasporas.

Limitations:

Current strategies see benefits of talent from one-way flow, rather than from

two-way circulation.

Current strategies are strong in recruiting talent, but weak in using them.

Current strategies emphasize selecting talent by host country, but ignore

selecting destination by talent.

Current strategies put sending and receiving countries in a global “war” for

talent.

Canada lags behind in developing its own Diaspora strategy.

asiapacific.ca10

11

III. Policy Recommendations

Canada should consider expanding Working Holiday Visa

agreements with China.

Educational cooperation should be expanded from academic

education to skill training in the trades.

Canadian professional bodies should recognize skills

made-in-China.

Canada should put a heavier emphasis on employer-led

initiatives.

Both countries should enhance cooperation on issues

affecting individuals’ choices.

asiapacific.ca11

12

IV. Conclusion:

Two-way human capital flows between China and Canada

will continue to be a reality, and will intensify.

Both countries need to enhance cooperation between and

across each other.

Both countries should re-consider a new approach to

leveraging shared talent.

asiapacific.ca12

The goal should be to facilitate two-way flows of talent as a means

of promoting economic welfare in both countries. A shared talent

strategy will increase two-way trade and investment, as well as

deepen the cooperation in all key areas of China-Canada relations.

13

Partnership/合作伙伴

asiapacific.ca

13