Date of Conferral

2016

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Heather Mbaye

Abstract

African-trained landed immigrants in the Alberta labor market are faced with employment over qualification and professional devaluation. Researchers have documented the precarious labor market position of this cohort and efforts undertaken by federal and provincial Canadian governments to address it. Little is known, however, about how these African immigrants perceive job satisfaction and over qualification. Guided by human capital theory, this phenomenological study focused on the perceptions of job satisfaction and over qualification among 11 landed immigrants of African origin in Alberta, Canada. Data were collected using semi structured interviews. Hatch's 9-step technique was used to analyze data, resulting in coded domains, master outlines, and themes. Findings indicated that labor market initiation, quality of life, labor market practices, and reeducation contributed to the immigrants' perceptions of job satisfaction and over qualification. Findings also suggested that labor market introductory programs and skills refining may influence labor market performance. Results may be used to enhance socioeconomic integration services and programs run by immigrant-serving organizations in Alberta.

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