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Employment Preparedness Programs in Peel
The following programs are designed to help prepare newcomers for the local job market more easily and quickly. They are offered by various organizations in Peel and each program is unique.
- Job search workshops (JSW) for newcomers
- Career planning programs for internationally trained professionals
- The Mentoring Partnership
- Bridge training programs
- Internship/career bridge programs
- Skills international
- Enhanced language training programs
- Occupation Specific Language Training (OSLT)
- Speciality English as a second language (ESL) classes
- Co-op programs
- Practice Firm
- Volunteer work
Job search workshops (JSW) for newcomers
What are they?
The Job Search Workshops are 3 to 4 days in length, and are free. These workshops can be taken during the day, in the evenings, or on Saturdays. They provide information to help you look for a job. Some of the topics include:
- Orientation to the Canadian Labour Market
- Skills assessment
- Effective resume and cover letter writing
- How to fill in application forms
- Networking techniques for contacting employers
- Successful interview techniques
- Overview of the Canadian workplace
You will also get one-on-one help if you have any questions or concerns.
Career planning programs for internationally trained professionals
What are they?
These workshops are suitable for newcomers who have obtained their professional training and/or work experience outside of Canada. They are usually 3 weeks in length and are offered by various organizations in Peel and are free for approved candidates. They:
- Assess your strengths, needs, skills and interests through a variety of assessments
- Help you gain insights into the Canadian labour market and workplace culture, and what occupational opportunities match your personal strengths
- Help you understand and develop the key employability skills required by Canadian employers
- Help you develop effective job search skills
- Create a career action plan
If you are interested in this program, please contact your nearest Peel Newcomer Information Centre (NIC) or Peel Employment Resource Centre (ERC). Ask if you can be referred to the program based on your individual employment goal.
The Mentoring Partnership
What is it?
The Mentoring Partnership matches professionals working in Canada with newcomers who have not been able to find employment in the line of work for which they have studied and trained for in their home countries.
How does it help?
The mentor provides the mentee (newcomer) with career development advice and access to professional networks and contacts.
If you would like to participate in the program, contact the community agency close to where you live in Peel Region.
Bridge training programs
What are they?
Bridge training programs assess your existing employment skills in comparison to Ontario employer expectations. They provide training and Canadian workplace experience without duplicating what you have already learned.
For programs that are specific to a profession visit bridge training programs for professions and click on your profession. If a bridge-training program is available in this profession, it will be listed.
For programs that are specific to a trade visit bridge training programs for trades.
For programs that are not specific to any particular profession or trade, visit other bridge training programs.
Internship/career bridge programs
What are they?
Internship/career bridge programs help you gain work experience in your field of expertise through a temporary position. The Ontario Public Service (OPS) offers an internship for internationally trained professionals, which provides newcomers with 6 months’ paid work experience in a variety of fields.
Skills international
Skills international provides employers with pre-screened and pre-qualified candidates who are ready for employment. You must work with an employment preparation agency in Peel before your profile can be published on the Skills International website.
Enhanced language training programs (ELT)
What are they?
Enhanced language training (ELT) programs offer:
- Higher levels of English language training (Canadian language benchmarks 7 - 10) to help meet the needs of newcomers who enter the country with basic or intermediate English skills.
- Job-specific terminology in various occupations; some examples are nursing, accounting, engineering, information technology, etc.
How do they help?
Enhanced Language Training (ELT) programs offer higher levels of English expected by employers and job-specific language training for adult newcomers to help them prepare for jobs that match their skills and qualifications.
If you are interested in this program, please contact your nearest Peel Newcomer Information Centre (NIC) or Peel Employment Resource Centre (ERC). Ask if you can be referred to the program based on your individual employment goal.
Occupation Specific Language Training (OSLT)
What are they?
Occupation-Specific language training courses offered by 13 Ontario colleges will teach you the language and workplace culture skills required to communicate effectively in your job. Gain the communications skills you need to build a successful career in your field.
- For more information, visit Occupation Specific Language Training (OSLT)
Speciality English as a second language (ESL) classes
What are they?
Speciality ESL classes are available such as: ESL for business, Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) preparation courses, ESL and job search, ESL conversation, Speaking English with confidence, ESL with computers and English literacy development (ELD) programs. Some ESL classes also have co-op placements in specific occupations, i.e. accounting, customer service, office administration and more.
Co-op programs
What are they?
There are two parts to this program: in-class and an unpaid work placement. Under this program qualified newcomers are paired with companies that previously would not recognize foreign degrees and international experience.
The in-class section teaches you about employment in Canada: résumés, cover letters, interview techniques, etc. You will also spend a lot of time researching companies for your unpaid work placement.
How do they help?
They help you gain some Canadian work experience, understand Canadian work culture and let you show your skills to a company that may hire you after your unpaid work placement is completed.
If you are interested in this program, please contact your nearest Peel Newcomer Information Centre (NIC) or Peel Employment Resource Centre (ERC). Ask if you can be referred to this program based on your individual employment goal.
Practice Firm
What is it?
Simfit - a Practice Firm - is a unique adult learning environment which simulates all administrative functions of a real business; however, the production and transfer of goods is virtual. Up to 20 participants at any given time work in real departments of a simulated business, and devote 20% of their time to an active job search.
Simfit can provide work experience to participants in the following areas:
- Accounting
- Administrative & Clerical
- Communications & Information Technology
- Purchasing
- Graphic Arts
- Marketing/Sales
- Human Resources
If you are interested in this program, please contact:
Job Skills
55 City Centre Drive, suite 701
Mississauga, ON L5B 1M3
Tel: 905-270-2824
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Volunteer work
Volunteer work is charitable or helpful work done without pay, which can help enrich your life and the lives of others. As a volunteer you will become involved in the community, share your life experiences and communicate with Canadians. It is a good way to make new friends and contacts. Volunteers can choose to work on their own or with others, do hands-on work or volunteer at an administrative or leadership level. You may conduct your own research to find an organization with whom you would like to volunteer.
Volunteer experience is an excellent way to gain Canadian experience, take on new responsibilities and develop new skills. Settlement.Org provides information about volunteering.