Searching for Newcomer Employment Programs

Employment resources and coaching to find sustainable employment in Ontario

• assessment of skills, interests, and abilities
• job search strategies and support, including resume development and interview preparation
• information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment opportunities
• help in maintaining employment
• information and referral to other employment and community services

All services at this site can be tailored to meet the needs of immigrants/newcomers

Employment Services

• career service centre
• career advancement counselling
• resume writing, job search workshops, job matching, job placement
• networking events and mentorship

Education Programs

• academic counselling
• leadership development
• credentials recognition and licensure assistance
• anti-racism webinars
• Toastmasters' Club

Pre-apprenticeship and Ontario Bridge Training Programs

• Gateway programs
• pre-apprenticehip programs for electricians and plumbers
• bridge training program for internationally trained accounting and finance professionals to obtain a Certified General Accountant (CGA) designation

Participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto (see separate entry), childminding and transportation assistance available, full-time or part-time classes

Settlement Services

• information and referral
• orientation, needs assessment
• supportive counselling; newcomer mental health service
• assistance in form filling
• bridging services
• employment counselling
• group information sessions; workshops and tours
• supports newcomer tenants in private rental market

Welcome Centre is a partnership of five immigrant serving community organizations: COSTI Immigrant Services, Catholic Community Services of York Region (CCSYR), Centre for Immigrant and Community Services (CICS), Job Skills, and Social Enterprise for Canada

Provides a one-stop service to guide and support immigrants and newcomers with

• settlement services
• services for women, seniors, children and youth

LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) upon assessment by Achēv - see separate entry

• child care, Care for Newcomer Children (CNW) for eligible participants
• for children 6 months-6 years, in-person, Mon-Fri

Enhanced Language Training (ELT) at Welcome Centres offers internationally trained professionals sector-specific English as a Second Language for the following occupations:

• accounting and finance
• teaching and education
• health care
• information technology (IT)

English as a Second Language - adult English for life and work in Canada

Employment Supports

• pre-employment workshops, information on accreditation and qualifications (AQIS)
• SOAR (Skills, Opportunities, Action plan, Resources) - Office Administration Employment Training - helps low and moderate income earning immigrant women to enter the job market, especially in office/administrative work
• individual action plan with one to one coaching
• job search workshops program and walk-in job search centre with access to computers, Internet, fax, photocopier, telephone, staff assistance available, resource materials, job boards, labour market information

Welcome Centre is a partnership of five immigrant serving community organizations: COSTI Immigrant Services, Catholic Community Services of York Region (CCSYR), Centre for Immigrant and Community Services (CICS), Job Skills, and Social Enterprise for Canada

Provides a one-stop service to guide and support immigrants and newcomers with

• settlement services
• services for women, seniors, children and youth

LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) upon assessment by Achēv - see separate entry

• child care, Care for Newcomer Children (CNW) for eligible participants
• for children 6 months-6 years, in-person, Mon-Fri

Enhanced Language Training (ELT) at Welcome Centres offers internationally trained professionals sector-specific English as a Second Language for the following occupations:

• accounting and finance
• teaching and education
• health care
• information technology (IT)

English as a Second Language - adult English for life and work in Canada

Employment Supports

• pre-employment workshops, information on accreditation and qualifications (AQIS)
• SOAR (Skills, Opportunities, Action plan, Resources) - Office Administration Employment Training - helps low and moderate income earning immigrant women to enter the job market, especially in office/administrative work
• individual action plan with one to one coaching
• job search workshops program and walk-in job search centre with access to computers, Internet, fax, photocopier, telephone, staff assistance available, resource materials, job boards, labour market information

• information and referrals, and settlement services
• supportive counselling
• employment and job search assistance
• legal information, assistance applying for benefits, and year round tax clinic
• youth tutoring and homework club, student mentoring programs
• senior community involvement programs
• interpretation service for Tamil community, including accompaniment to appointments
• health education, community outreach
• social and recreation events and activities

Linguistically and culturally sensitive counselling and settlement services for individuals and families

Counselling and Psychotherapy
Individual, group, couple, marital and family counselling and mental health psychotherapy

• for trauma, abuse, violence against women, offenders, bereavement, problem gambling; crisis intervention; referrals to community partners as necessary
• family programs, including parenting and family life education, and youth counselling and leadership development

Partner Assault Response (PAR)
12 week group education and counselling program on domestic violence and non-abusive ways of resolving conflict

• victims/partners of the offender provided with support including safety planning, referrals to community resources, and information on offender's progress
• group counselling in Cantonese, Mandarin and Vietnamese

Settlement Program
Orientation, needs and eligibility assessments, interpretation and translation

• information and referral topics include immigration, issues of concern to refugees and foreign domestic workers, citizenship, social assistance benefits, legal aid, housing, child care, English classes, and education and employment training

Disabilities and Special Needs Program

Rehabilitation for skills involving speech and language, mobility, emotional and behavioural control

• 1-on-1 and groups; in person and virtual
• support provided for subsidy applications

Violence Against Women, Housing and Transitional Support Program

​Counselling, information and referrals, crisis intervention and case management for women who have experienced violence, and their children

• community services information on issues such as housing, legal, financial, health care, immigration, children's services
• settlement support including assistance setting up safety plan, ongoing counselling and support

Satellite offices by appointment only in Toronto, Markham, Unionville, and Mississauga

• information and referral, orientation, housing referrals
• one to one gambling counselling and workshops
• translation and interpretation
• documentation, form filling
• outreach, social development program, educational workshops
• career mentoring

• employment counselling, resume preparation, job search techniques
• assistance obtaining certification of education and/or trade documents

Settlement Services

• information and referral, orientation, needs assessment
• supportive counselling; newcomer mental health services
• assists with form filling,
• seasonal income tax clinic for families with low incomes
• employment counselling and mentorship
• workshops and tours,
• English conversation circle

LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English -- upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto, see separate entry

• from Literacy to CLB 5
• full time and part time classes from Monday-Friday; evening and Saturday part time classes
• childminding and transportation assistance available

Support Services

• supports newcomers in private rental market with information and legal consultations
• senior support services and case management
• support for Canadian citizens and refugee claimants

Immigrant Resource Centre - multiservice centre with newcomer, job seeker and family services for all ages

Settlement Services

• needs assessment
• information, orientation and referral
• supportive counselling
• newcomer mental health services and crisis intervention
• assists with form filling
• bridging services
• workshops and tours
• support to newcomer tenants in the private rental market
• seasonal income tax clinic for low income families

Community Connections Mentorship Program

• group activities for newly arrived immigrants and refugees of all ages to help orient them to their new community and establish social and professional networks
• trained and experienced volunteer mentors assist, with focus on citizenship and civic engagement or skills and career development

Settlement and Education Partnerships in Toronto (SEPT) (Settlement Workers in Schools)

• outreach program based in elementary and secondary schools from mid-August to end of June, and in libraries and summer school programs from July to mid-August
• homework club
• multi-languages service in North York area, connecting parents and students with the schools, parent interviews with schools, parenting group sessions, settlement information sessions - contact 416-292-7510 ext 1301

Employment Support Services

• sector-specific skills training programs
• one-on-one employment counselling, career exploration and job referrals
• pre-employment skills workshops such as resume, cover letters and interview preparation
• hiring events and job fairs; self-employment and small business workshops

Employment Resource Centre

• walk-in job search centre
• access to computers, Internet, fax, photocopier, telephone
• staff assistance available
• resource materials
• job boards, labour market information
• resume clinics, mock interviews
• workshops

Early Years Services

• EarlyON Child and Family Centre, preschool education program for children and their parents
• social and learning skills for preschool children
• parenting education
• parent-child interactive activities

Children and Youth Programs

• after school program
• summer camp
• Saturday enrichment classes
• leadership and life skills training, homework help
• employment readiness

Community Service Programs

• social, educational and recreational programs
• interest classes
• health information workshops

Volunteer Services

• training and development
• placements
• public education

Community Garden and Kitchen including

• rental of garden planters
• food skills training programs
• also facility or hall rentals

• drop-in and group services have resumed
• appointment preferred
• masking is not mandatory but suggested for all visitors
• people who have symptoms of illness are urged to wear masks or access services online

Family Services

• intimate partner violence crisis management
• transitional housing support program
• individual and family counselling; mutual support groups
• ​family life education; parent and child drop-in
• women's gathering; recreational activities

Neighbourhood Support Services​

• supportive counselling; information and referral
• form filling including welfare and social housing applications
• support network
• interpretation; newcomer orientation
  

Older Adult Services

• senior drop in
• educational workshops; interest groups
• basic technology training
• volunteering
  

Youth Programs

• youth employment
• life skills and leadership training
• recreational activities
  

Community Development

• networking and partnership
• volunteer recruitment and training
• social justice and equity advocacy
• community outreach; community safety collaboration
• cultural and festival celebrations

Full and part time diploma, certificate and degree programs

• programs for internationally trained professionals
• continuing education
• distance learning
• employment services
• multiple campuses located in the Greater Toronto Area

Workplace communication courses

• students practice dialogue and communication tasks commonly performed on the job, in their field, sector and occupation
• offered part-time, twice a week evenings
• currently delivered remotely
• funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

• information on topics such as essential government documents and benefits, immigration and citizenship, employment and job search, access to trades and professions, foreign credential assessment, education and training, language classes, health and housing, community, recreation and consumer resources, human rights, legal and social services, child, youth and family resources, food, shelter, and clothing
• settlement information sessions in various locations
• monthly webinars
• guest speaker series
• Newcomer Network
• access to computers, fax, photocopiers, and phone; computer area
• settlement resource library
• English conversation circle

• Newcomer Youth Leadership Development -- youth learn about their community, gain volunteer hours, build leadership, language, communication and social skills
• workshops and activities for parents and youth

Assists highly skilled internationally trained immigrants (ITIs) gain equivalent work experience in Ontario

• regulated occupation (for example, nursing, engineering, etc.)
• non-regulated occupation currently in demand, such as information technology, financial services

Bridge to Cloud - Computing and Big Data

• ​program is for internationally trained professionals and focuses on cloud computing and big data industry trend

• centre community engagement projects
• seniors yoga
• women's English Circle
• EarlyON programming for children 0-6 years and their caregivers
• public computer access

Newcomer Centre -- provides settlement programs and services for new immigrants, refugees and newcomers LGBTQ2S+, programs and supports include:

• information and referral to community and social services
• support with finding housing, child care, registering children in school and health care
• help filling out government forms including housing and immigration sponsorship forms
• help with connecting to language classes
• workshops on financial literacy and other topics to reduce stress of adjusting to Canadian culture

Citizenship Preparation -- offers courses, tests and activities to help newcomers prepare for the citizenship test

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada -- provides basic language skills in English upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto -- (see separate listing, online learning option)

Integrated Employment Services (IES) provides employment resources and coaching to find sustainable employment in Ontario (see separate listing)

Lead agency for Dorset Park Hub

Other services provided by partner agencies including, Reconnect Community Health Service, John Howard Society of Toronto, VHA Home HealthCare, Chinese Canadian Council, Madison Community Services, Black Youth Jobs and Dorset Park Neighbourhood Association

Services to help and support immigrants begin their new lives in Canada

Settlement Information and Referral

• information on topics such as essential government documents and benefits, immigration and citizenship, employment and job search, access to trades and professions, foreign credential assessment, education and training, language classes, health and housing, community, recreation and consumer resources, human rights, legal and social services, child, youth and family resources, food, shelter, and clothing
• settlement information sessions in various locations
• monthly webinars
• guest speaker series
• Newcomer Network
• access to computers, fax, photocopiers, and phone; computer area
• settlement resource library
• English conversation circle

Assists highly skilled internationally trained immigrants (ITIs) gain equivalent work experience in Ontario

• regulated occupation (for example, nursing, engineering, etc.)
• non-regulated occupation currently in demand, such as information technology, financial services

Bridge to Cloud - Computing and Big Data

• ​program is for internationally trained professionals and focuses on cloud computing and big data industry trend

• services provided by phone, online or in-person; walk-ins welcome
• all workshops offered online

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Multiservice centre for newcomers

Settlement Service Centre -- assessment, information and referral, supportive counselling, community outreach, education and workshops

• support with finding housing, accessing child care, health care and other community and social services
• seasonal income tax clinic
• participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto -- (see separate entry), child care and transportation assistance available

Enhanced Language Training (ELT) for Internationally Trained Medical Professionals -- 18 week sector specific language training and career orientation for health care professionals

• individual counselling and action plan development, 100 hour volunteer placement
• mentoring, networking, resume and interview preparation
• free training in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

Settlement and Education Partnership in Toronto (SEPT) (Settlement Workers in Schools) -- services delivered in elementary and secondary schools in Scarborough during the school year, and in libraries and summer schools from July to August -- free summer programs for children and their families

Self Employment for Newcomers Program

• supports newcomers to explore self-employment options, develop personalized road map to self-employment, and get connected to specialized supports for small business
• provides monthly workshops and one-on-one support to clients who are looking for self-employment opportunities or starting their own business in Canada
• provides career action plans and guidance on the preparation of cover letters and resumés

Newcomer Settlement and Language Training (NSLT) Program

• provides career action plans and guidance on the preparation of cover letters and resumés
• clients are provided with employment support for job search and retention based on employment needs

LGBTQ+ Program

​Supports LGBTQ+ newcomers and allies as they navigate their settlement journey in Canada, offering a safe, inclusive environment where clients can access a variety of services

• workshops on topics such as employment, housing, and legal rights, as well as community outings to cultural sites and social events
• one-on-one support - personalized assistance to help clients overcome challenges, build skills, and connect to resources
• guidance on finding work, navigating housing options, and understanding rights as newcomers
• LGBTQ+ support group - confidential space where participants can connect with others, share experiences, and discuss issues relevant to the LGBTQ+ newcomer experience. Topics include cultural adjustment, mental health, relationships, and understanding LGBTQ+ rights in Canada

Youth Career Empowerment

• for newcomer youth 16-24 years living in Scarborough
• soft skills training, job search tools and career exploration

Family Services​

• intimate partner violence crisis management
• transitional housing support program
• individual and family counselling; mutual support groups
• ​family life education; parent and child drop-in
• women's gathering; recreational programs

Neighbourhood Support Services​

• supportive counselling; information and referral
• form filling including welfare and social housing applications
• support network
• interpretation; newcomer orientation

Older Adult Services

• senior drop in
• educational workshops; interest groups
• basic technology training
• volunteering

Youth Programs

• youth employment
• life skills and leadership training
• recreational activities

Community Development

• networking and partnership
• volunteer recruitment and training
• social justice and equity; advocacy
• community outreach; community safety collaboration
• cultural and festival celebrations

Social services

• assessment, information and referral to community and social services
• help filling out government forms
• referral to health care services
• interpretation

Newcomers orientation and adaptation

• information and referral
• supportive family counselling, short-term counselling to clients who encounter difficulties in adjusting to life in Canada
• referrals to employment counselling, help in establishing social and professional networks

Community support

• coordinates volunteer visitation to seniors' homes and provides Armenian meals, emotional support, pastoral services and organizes Armenian cultural events
• organizes community events such as food and clothes drives

All offices are open and all settlement workers are available 4 days in person and 1 day online; call at 416-588-3585

Settlement Services for Immigrants and Refugees

• needs assessment, information and referral, advocacy, orientation, translation and interpretation, escort, assistance in finding housing
• sponsorship of refugees
• health workshops, mental health - support groups, counselling, crisis intervention
• heritage language classes
• skills upgrading, adult literacy classes
• seniors program for mutual support and education
• youth program offering services in settlement, counselling, skills development and social events

Employment Related Services - for new immigrants and Convention refugees, legally entitled to work in Canada

• 3 or 4 day job search techniques workshops, covering labour market information, access to trades and professions, resume preparation, networking
• extensive individual assistance

Community Connections Mentorship Program

• group activities for newly arrived immigrants and refugees of all ages to help orient them to their new community and establish social and professional networks
• trained and experienced volunteer mentors assist, with focus on citizenship and civic engagement or skills and career development

Community Development

• Afghan Women's Catering Group, Afghan Sewing Circle, media and overseas projects

• individual, family and youth counselling
• information and referral, housing search assistance
• assistance with government forms, translation and intrepretation
• refugee settlement information and assistance
• youth outreach, volunteer opportunities
• employment consulting, assistance with resumes and interview skills, employment mentoring, employment workshops

Information and Orientation Services - settlement services for newcomers who have been in Canada for less than 4 years, including landed immigrants, Convention refugees and foreign-born Canadian citizens

• orientation, information sessions, supportive counselling
• information and referral including housing, access to community resources
• employment assessment and preparation, job fairs, computer with free Internet access
• advocacy, interpretation
• English conversation classes
• participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto -- see separate entry; care for newcomer children -- childminding for parents attending sessions

Newcomer Youth Girls Program

• ​empowers and supports immigrant and refugee girls focusing on healthy relationships, gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, and sexual health
• individual and group counselling with gender-based analysis positive (GBA+) approach
• educational and recreational activities

HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters)

• ​home visitation program supporting vulnerable, isolated, and low-income mothers of children aged 3-5 years
• empowers mothers to take active role in preparing their children for school
• builds confidence, skills, and community connections.

Newcomer Settlement Program

• volunteer recruitment and training
• outreach, advocacy
• cultural activities

Services for Victims of Domestic Violence

• crisis intervention and safety planning
• individual and family counselling for women and children
• support groups and educational workshops
• referrals to community services such as Legal Aid, subsidized housing and Ontario Works/Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• advocacy, education and information

Men Make a Difference - culturally appropriate group sessions to learn techniques for developing healthy relationships, resolve conflict, and cope with anger

Seniors Services

• recreational activities
• support groups for isolated Afghan senior women
• assistance accessing community resources

• all services provided by phone, online, or in-person
• LINC classes offered hybrid and in-person

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Provides settlement services to newcomers

Participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto -- see separate entry; transportation and child minding available

Family Literacy Program -- language and age-appropriate family reading resources through a lending library

• activities to encourage and reinforce family language learning

Enhanced Language Training (ELT) for Internationally Trained Medical Professionals

• 18 week sector-specific language training and career orientation for health care professionals
• mentoring, networking, resume and interview preparation for those with international experience within the health care sector

Job Connect Program - online portal that offers employers a platform to directly connect with and hire newcomer job seekers to Canada.

Self Employment for Newcomers Program

• supports newcomers to explore self-employment options, develop personalized road map to self-employment, and get connected to specialized supports for small business
• monthly workshops and one-on-one support to clients who are looking for self-employment opportunities or starting their own business in Canada

Language & Skills Training Program for Transportation and Supply Chain, see separate listing