*Disclaimer that the training is only available to employers in the Grande Prairie region.
The purpose of this series is to support rural and northern employers in building strong, productive, and sustainable workplaces by sharing simple, actionable strategies that respond to today’s workforce realities.
Training Series
📘 The series will feature 5 employer‑related training topic
💻 90‑minute virtual sessions
🧰 A resource toolkit will be provided after each session
📝 Post‑session surveys will be disseminated after each training to gather feedback and improve training facilitation and outcomes
🎓 A certificate of completion will be distributed to participants who attend all 5 virtual training sessions
Broad Learning Outcomes
At the end of the Employer Webinar Series on Inclusive Workforce Practices, participants will have:
Increased awareness of resources and service/program opportunities to support diverse talent
Increased awareness of labour market integration resources
Increased knowledge on how to support new employees effectively
Support employers with what matters most:
Reducing employee turnover
Improving workplace morale
Expanding recruitment reach
Supporting new employees effectively
Creating workplaces where staff want to stay for the long-term
This series will provide straightforward, real-world strategies to help employers:
Attract reliable talent
Build positive workplace culture
Improve employee retention
Strengthen team communication
Navigate workforce changes with confidence
Virtual Training Series Schedule
Session #1 – Economic Immigration as a Workforce Strategy March 31, 2026 • 2:00–3:30 PM
Focus Areas
Overview of the Canadian immigration system (high level, employer-relevant)
Temporary vs. permanent pathways and why the distinction matters for employers
First steps for employers hiring or considering hiring diverse talent, including when to seek support from a Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC)
Rural workforce realities and local labour shortages
Learning Objectives
Understand key immigration pathways relevant to employers and the benefits of hiring diverse talent
Differentiate between immigration categories and their employment implications
Navigate workforce challenges with greater confidence
Apply practical approaches to supporting employees from different backgrounds and experiences
Session #2 – Effective Hiring and Onboarding Practices for a Diverse Workforce April 13, 2026 • 2:00–3:30 PM
Focus Areas
Inclusive recruitment and candidate screening practices
Recognizing and reducing bias in hiring decisions, including navigating “Canadian experience”
Effective onboarding strategies for diverse talent
Setting clear expectations and providing early performance support
Tools and strategies that improve early retention
Learning Objectives
Apply inclusive hiring practices that expand workplace talent pools
Strengthen onboarding processes to attract reliable talent and improve retention
Identify common onboarding gaps that lead to early turnover
Implement practical strategies to improve first‑90‑day outcomes
Session #3 – Understanding the Needs of Diverse Talent April 28, 2026 • 2:00–3:30 PM
Focus Areas
Best practices to support diverse talent
Social and cultural needs of diverse talent inside and outside the workplace
Labour force challenges experienced by diverse talent
Understanding through storytelling and lived experience
Learning Objectives
Understand key challenges affecting diverse talent
Identify best practices for supporting the integration and success of diverse employees
Explore effective retention strategies that promote long‑term success in the workplace and community
Identify resources available to support diverse talent in Grande Prairie
Session #4 – Building a Positive Workplace Culture May 12, 2026 • 2:00–3:30 PM
Focus Areas
How businesses can strengthen their workplace by leveraging employee talent
Strengthening communication, teamwork, and trust
Understanding multiple identities and lived experiences
Learning Objectives
Understand practical approaches to supporting employees from different backgrounds
Understand how to reduce turnover, improve morale, create a workplace where people want to stay
Understand low-cost, high-impact strategies to keep good employees
Foster a workplace culture where all employees feel valued through barrier‑free practices
Session #5 – Resilient Workplaces & Leadership Strategies to Support a Broad‑based Workforce May 26, 2026 • 2:00–3:30 PM
Focus Areas
Strong leadership and how it strengthens workplace culture
Building trust, belonging, and safety
Aligning policies and practices with inclusion
Effective communication across different backgrounds
Learning Objectives
Identify gaps in current workplace policies and practices
Strengthen leadership approaches that support collaboration and fairness
Apply best practices that improve retention and workplace culture
Identify best practices to support communication, understanding and conflict resolution
*Disclaimer that the training is only available to employers in the Grande Prairie region.
Registration Information: Each session requires individual registration. This helps us manage participation and ensure a smooth experience for everyone.
Rural communities across Alberta play a vital role in newcomer attraction and retention, yet often face limited access to training, resources, and capacity-building opportunities. Challenges such as housing, availability, workforce readiness, and community integration can make long-term newcomer retention difficult.
To support rural communities, RDN, in partnership with Action for Healthy Communitiesand the Yellowhead Regional Library, is offering a free, five-part training series designed for rural realities. The series equips community leaders, service providers, employers, educators, and organizations with practical tools to better welcome, support, and retain newcomers.
What to Expect
✅ Free, virtual training
🕑 Five topics (2.5 hours each)
🗓️ Two date options per session (10 total sessions )
👋 Open to all rural communities across Alberta
Training Sessions & Schedule
#1: Navigating the System: Immigration Pathways, Barriers, and Rural Realities for Newcomers
COMPLETED
🗓️ February 23, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM MT
🗓️ February 26, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM MT
Learning Objectives
Understand different categories of newcomer arrivals and their settlement implications
Explore immigration trends and level targets
Identify settlement barriers unique to rural communities
#2: Housing, Belonging and Addressing Discrimination in Rural Alberta Communities
COMPLETED
🗓️ March 10, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM MT
🗓️ March 11, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM MT
Learning Objectives
Analyze rural housing conditions for newcomers
Identify diverse housing needs and challenges
Recognize and address housing discrimination
Explore strategies to build culturally respectful housing relationships
#3: Employment as a Foundation for Newcomer Attraction, Retention, and Community Belonging
COMPLETED
🗓️ March 25, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM MT
🗓️ March 26, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM MT
Learning Objectives
Examine labour force challenges affecting newcomer employment
Identify best practices for workplace integration
Explore effective retention strategies
Understand principles of intercultural communication and conflict resolution
#4: Culturally Responsive Schools and Learning for Small Communities
COMPLETED
🗓️ April 8, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM MT
🗓️ April 9, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM MT
Learning Objectives
Support families navigating the education system
Identify and refer to appropriate resources
Develop strategies to support newcomer success in classrooms
#5: Libraries and Community Organizations as Safe Spaces for Newcomer Integration in Rural Communities
🗓️ April 21, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM MT – Registration is full
🗓️ April 22, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM MT
Learning Objectives
Understand principles of welcoming and inclusive service delivery
Identify best practices for newcomer support
Address barriers to accessing community services
Learn tools and resources to strengthen rural service delivery
Registration Information: Each session requires individual registration. When you register, you will be asked to select one date and time only for that session. This helps us manage participation and ensure a smooth experience for everyone.
Check out our current projects and initiatives that support Canada’s rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. Need help in your community? We also offer a variety of services to kick-start your own projects.
March 17, 2026 1:00 pm - May 26, 2026 2:00 pm
Training, Webinars
