Employment Programs

There are many not-for-profit organizations in Peel that can provide you with free employment, job placement and training services.

Job placement programs

Some organizations offer employment services through a program funded by the province of Ontario called Employment Ontario. These programs can also connect you to employers through job fairs and job matching placement incentives. These job placements normally run from 4-6 month and include a training component.

Newcomer Centre of Peel (NCP) - offers free training to help you learn valuable job search skills and training in software common to many workplaces - Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

If you have a background in accounting or finance, you will also benefit from learning computer programs such as Simply Accounting and QuickBooks.

When you are finished with classroom training, you will benefit from co-op placements that will allow you to gain real work experience. This is a practical way for you to gain Canadian workplace knowledge.

Dufferin-Peel's Co-operative Education program - is for foreign-trained professionals and will help you prepare for the Canadian job market and workplace culture.

This program is offered at Brian J. Fleming Catholic Adult Learning Centre and St. Gabriel Adult Learning Centre. (see map)

They both offer:

Individual career counselling by instructors
Computer for every student
Career search strategies

These work placements are relevant to your professional skills, will provide you with networking opportunities, and you will be able to receive a letter of reference from the employer.

Job search tools

There are a number of resources that can help you in your search for a job:

Job Banks/Job listings

Government of Canada Job Bank is a web-based network of job postings that are available to all Canadians. Job seekers will find jobs posted on this site from across Canada. For more information on job search, career development and talent identification visit Peel Halton Workforce Hub.

Join a local chapter of your professional association

Joining and becoming active in professional associations has several major benefits:

You interact with people in your field who can give you advice and offer perspectives on the trends in your field (technical, business or employment trends). These contacts can review your resume to make sure the technical terms you use will be understood
These contacts can be your references
You have an opportunity to show your knowledge by making a presentation at one of the association's events or by writing an article in the association's newsletter

Trade magazines

There are many trade magazines in Canada. You need to locate magazines that pertain to your particular profession or trade or that are most relevant to your occupation.

These magazines have:

Articles that describe trends in the industry or sector
Articles that provide job search advice or discuss "soft skills" needed for this industry/sector
News clips that examine new developments in this industry/sector
Notices of events, conferences
Job postings

Often, there is a cost to get a subscription for these magazines. Public libraries and university libraries are a good place to find free trade magazines. You cannot take home these magazines but you can read them for as long as you want in the library.

Recruitment agencies/search firms

Many employers use recruitment agencies for their hiring needs. It is a good idea to select the agency that specializes in your field or industry. These agencies can be a source of information on the trends in the industry as well as a source for networking.

These agencies do not charge a fee to job seekers.

Find a listing of these agencies on the Internet or in the yellow pages directory for your area.

Go to job fairs

Job fairs are conducted on a regular basis throughout Peel Region. They are large gatherings of businesses and people looking for work. Job fairs are places to gather information about your industry or specific employers. They are also good places to hand out your resume.

Before you go to a job fair, assemble your resume, references, portfolio and Social Insurance Number and dress professionally.

Look for announcements about job fairs in newspapers, in flyers and in pamphlets at public libraries and employment resource centres.

Network

The term networking means establishing personal contacts that, among other benefits, may help you to find a job that is not advertised. Personal contacts can be made through volunteer work, community involvement, going to an ethno-specific organization, taking a class, cooperative education, joining a club or child-parent program, going to parties and more.

Directory of Professional Networks for Immigrants

If you arrived in Canada recently and are looking for opportunities to develop professional relationships and networks within your field, this directory is for you.

Settlement.org has more information about professional immigrant networks.

Search the Internet

The Internet should only make up one part of your overall job search. See a list of excellent job search websites.

Newspapers

Look for jobs listed in newspapers. Look in the classified advertisements section under "Help Wanted" and "Careers."

Ontario bridge training and apprenticeship

Some professions and trades are regulated in Canada to protect public health and safety. That means that you must have a licence or certificate to work in these professions and trades. If you are an internationally educated professional or tradesperson coming to Canada or already in Ontario the access to professions and trades guide can help you understand how to work in your profession or trade. About 20% of people working in Canada, such as nurses, engineers, electricians and teachers, work in regulated professions and trades.

Ontario Bridge Training Programs

Ontario Bridge Training programs can help you get employment, obtain a licence or certificate in your profession or trade, so that you can find work that best matches your skills and experience in Peel. These programs can be useful for jobs that are regulated professions in Ontario. But, you can also find bridging programs for non-regulated jobs.

The process of getting a licence or certificate can be long and frustrating. You have to pay for credential assessment, certification or examinations. Enrolling yourself in a Bridging program can help you prepare better and successfully complete the certification process and, obtain a licence.

There are a number of sector-specific training options for internationally-trained individuals. The most popular ones include:

Accounting
Architecture
Business
Education
Engineering
Financial services
Health care
Information technology
Project management
Sales and marketing
Supply chain/Logistics

Each bridge training program is unique, but in general they are designed to provide you with:

An assessment of your education and skills
Clinical or workplace experience
Skills training or targeted academic training
Preparation for a license or certification examination
Occupation-related language training
Individual learning plans to identify any added training needed

Below agencies offer sector specific bridging programs:

ACCES Employment – offers bridging programs in the following sectors: Engineering, Finance, Sales and Marketing, Information Technology and Human Resources.

151 City Centre Dr, Suite 600
Mississauga, ON L5B 1M7
Tel: 905-361-2522
[ map ]

Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology - offers bridging program for internationally trained nurses.

Chinese Professionals Association of Canada (CPAC) - assists internationally trained professionals in gaining recognition, cultural integration, career advancement, civic engagement in Canada.

You can get more information by contacting your nearest Employment Centre in Peel or visiting the Ontario Bridge Training program website.

Apprenticeships (Training in trades)

Skilled workers are in high demand in many industries. In Ontario, there are more than 140 skilled trades, ranging from auto mechanics to arborists, and from chefs to welders.

An apprenticeship is an on-the-job training program that allows you to work in a skilled trade or occupation where you can learn from an experienced person who works in the field. On average, 90% of training takes place in the workplace with instruction by certified journeypersons. The remainder involves classroom instruction delivered at a college of applied arts and technology or other approved training delivery agent. Apprentices are paid while gaining work experience, and wages can increase depending on your level of skill.

The Centre Skills Development and Training - (Clarkson location) offers pre-apprenticeship training programs in construction, electrical and millwright/machinist trades.

Learn more about Ontario Bridge Training programs and apprenticeships

Ontario Bridging Programs and Trades in Ontario - provides information on services available in Ontario to help you continue working in your profession or trade if you have been trained in another country.

Start an Aapprenticeship - provides information about how you qualify and apply to be an apprentice in a skilled trade.

Canada Apprenticeship Loans - can help you get the money you need to achieve your goals.

Employment Insurance (EI) - includes information about Employment Insurance (EI) temporary benefits for workers, sickness, fishing and family-related benefits as well as how to apply online and submit a report.

ApprenticeSearch.com - is a free online service connecting Ontario’s employers and apprentices.

Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) or visit the local MTCU office in Peel:

The Emerald Centre
10 Kingsbridge Garden Circle, Suite 404
Mississauga, ON L5R 3K6
Tel: 905-279-7333
[map]

Call Employment Ontario Hotline at 1-800-387-5656 (toll free)

Resume writing workshops

There are several free resources both print and online that can help you with resume writing. Visit or contact Settlement Services Centres or Employment Ontario Centres in Peel where the staff offer free services to help you create, improve or review your résumé. They have computers you can use to make changes to your resume. They also have resources to help you with your job search.

For More Information

Virtual Newcomer Information Centre - offers assistance with resume preparation and delivers online workshops and information sessions related to resume and cover letter for permanent residents and convention refugees to assist them with their transition to new life in Canada.
The Dynamic Cover Letters Formula for Job Search Success - provides details about what makes a great cover letter.
Job Bank Resources - offer a listing of the Job Bank tools that can help you find employment in Canada.

Work specific language learning programs

Work-specific or occupation-specific language training (OSLT) is offered part time or full time at no cost. In Peel, OSLT classes are offered at Sheridan College.

OSLT programs offer: