Support for Newcomers
Government Services
Citizenship and Immigration Canada - the department of the Canadian government that deals with immigration and related issues. Its Web site provides information on immigration, citizenship, sponsorship, work permits, and topics relevant to the process of settling in Canada.
Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities (Opening Doors to a Skilled Workforce) - an Ontario provincial program developed to help open doors to employment for internationally trained/educated individuals.
Government of Ontario
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
Access to Professions and Trades
Unit
Tel: 416-326-9714 or 416-314-7541
aptinfo@edu.gov.on.ca
www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/postsec/openingdoors/apt/
Newcomer Services
Settlement.Org - information and resources on living in Ontario. Settlement.Org is a Web site managed by the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants to provide newcomers to Ontario, including internationally trained professionals, with information that will assist them in the process of settling in a new country, including becoming part of the labour market.
Organizations that Help Internationally Trained Professionals Enter the Canadian Job Market
Policy Roundtable Mobilizing Professions and Trades (PROMPT) - works on issues of policy and access to professions and trades for immigrants to Canada who are internationally trained professionals or tradespeople. The majority of representatives on PROMPT are immigrants.
Ontario Regulators for Access - the Ontario Regulators for Access is a group of Ontario regulators that acknowledges the need for skilled immigrants as well as the continued enhancement and preservation of standards to ensure public safety for the benefit of all Ontarians.
Canadian Institute for Recognizing Learning (CIRL) - an organization dedicated to improving the ways in which Canada recognizes the knowledge and skills of its people. The Web site has a useful Document Information Tool for internationally trained/educated professionals.
Association for Access to the Profession of Planning and Architecture - an organization to help internationally trained/educated professional planners, architects, designers, and technologists gain a strong foothold in the Canadian professional work environment by helping facilitate employment or paid internship programs, and the licensing process.
Canadian Society of Iranian Engineers and Architects (Mohandes) - a non-political, non-religious, and non-profit organization which serves Iranian engineers and architects in Canada. Among its other goals, it seeks to assist Iranian newcomers to Canada by providing them with information about Canadian laws and assisting them with their job search.
Chinese Professionals Association of Canada - this organization helps and advocates for internationally trained professionals of Chinese descent in Canada. It facilitates career development and provides training, employment, and settlement services.
Employment Resource Centres (ERC)
Employment Resource Centres are funded by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC). They offer a variety of resources to newcomers and others looking for career direction, jobs, or help in starting their own business. These resources include:
- free or low-cost access to computers, fax machines, photocopiers, and the Internet
- business directories, job search materials, and other library resources
- workshops and seminars
- job posting boards
- résumé development services
Find out more:
What is an Employment Resource Centre (ERC)?
Work Experience Programs
Work experience programs offer newcomers paid or unpaid, short-term (four weeks to six months) work experience opportunities with reputable employers. These programs assist newcomers to establish themselves in their professions by overcoming the barrier of "no Canadian experience."
Find out more:
Why should I get help to find work? Group and Work Experience Programs
Employment Assistance Services
Employment assistance services are offered at many community-based organizations and community colleges. These are group and individual services that help newcomers and others prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment. Programs vary in length from three or four-day intensive workshops to several months. These programs and services will help you:
- find information on potential employers
- identify employment opportunities that are not advertised
- prepare an effective résumé
- establish professional networks
- master self-marketing techniques and build confidence
- conduct a successful employment interview
Some employment assistance programs and services are sector-specific. This means that participants are all qualified in the same profession. Other programs are open to participants with a variety of backgrounds.
Find out more:
Why should I get help to find work?
Mentoring Programs
Mentoring programs match internationally qualified professional newcomers with individuals working in the same profession in Ontario. The mentor encourages the efforts of the newcomer to become established in his or her profession by offering guidance and advice. This might include helping the newcomer to:
- understand Canadian workplace culture
- learn self-marketing techniques
- locate publications and workshops on recent developments in the field
- gather information on local industries and potential employers
- establish professional networks
- identify employment opportunities
Find out more:
Mentoring programs for internationally-trained professionals
Job Development Services
Job developers work directly with both local employers and newcomers. They identify local employment opportunities and introduce employers to newcomers who have the required skills and experience. Some job developers also coach clients in résumé development and job interview skills.
Find out more:
Why should I get help to find work?
Programs for Self-employment and Entrepreneurship
These programs assist people who want to start their own business.
Find out more:
Settlement.Org's Self-employment/Starting a Business section