Welcoming Newcomers

EHRC resources

• Mentor Junction: A free, national tool that can help build mentorships in the
  electricity sector
• Job Board: A national job board connecting employers with job seekers in Canada’s electricity sector
• MAPPED: Competency Framework: A framework for determining competencies across roles in the electricity sector
• Labour Market Intelligence: Current data with comprehensive analysis and projections for the electricity sector
• Illuminate Opportunity: A collection of reference tools, learning materials and short videos to help employers build a diverse workforce
• Leadership Accord on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: A public commitment to foster and uphold a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace
• Peer Learning Community Framework: A comprehensive, practical guide to setting up a peer learning community
• DEI Checklist: A list of promising practices to help organizations prioritize, embed and broaden their DEI initiatives

Provincial and territorial resources

Provincial and territorial governments, as well as other local organizations, have guidance related to hiring and retaining newcomers.

Alberta 

• Resources for employers of Temporary Foreign Workers: Information, programs and resources to help Alberta employers hire, train and retain temporary foreign workers.
• Care for Newcomers: Employer Readiness and Engagement Program: Bridges the gap between the needs of newcomers and those of employers through employment training, mentoring and other opportunities.

British Columbia

• Immigrant Employment Council of BC: A non-profit that provides BC employers with tools and resources to attract, hire and retain qualified immigrant talent.

Manitoba

• Manitoba Immigration – Employer Supports: Assistance for eligible Manitoba employers to attract and retain the workers they need to meet labour market shortages.

New Brunswick

• Information for Employers in New Brunswick: A provincial resource with links to cultural competency trainings, support for hiring international students, and more resources and connections to New Brunswick’s immigration programs.

Newfoundland and Labrador

• Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism: A provincial resource with guidance on the Atlantic Immigration Program.

Northwest Territories

• NWT Immigration Strategy: A publication describing the territory’s immigration strategy. Other resources available from this website include:
  • Welcome Guide for Newcomers
  • Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupation Certifications

Nova Scotia

• Nova Scotia Immigration Employer Support: A provincial resource with information about the Atlantic Immigration Program and details on hiring ITWs.

Ontario

• City of Toronto Employer Support: Provides hiring support to local employers at no cost.
• Information for Employers Hiring Immigrants: A resource from the Toronto West Local Immigration Partnership.
• Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council: An agency dedicated to supporting organizations to become more inclusive and matching high-skilled immigrants to appropriate jobs.
• NW Ontario Employer Resources: A collection of resources and guides for hiring, recruiting and integrating newcomers.

Prince Edward Island

• PEI HR Toolkit: A toolkit that includes information about the Atlantic Immigration Program and PEI associations, as well as guidance on developing an inclusive and diverse workforce.
• Cultural Inclusion Training: A program providing workshops and presentations to the community at large, which can be tailored for length and subject matter. The program also works with newcomers to Canada to help them develop presentations on their home country and culture for Island audiences.

Quebec

• Guide pratique de la gestion de la diversité interculturelle en emploi: A French guide to managing intercultural diversity in employment in Quebec.

Saskatchewan

• Retaining Newcomer Employees: A provincial guide for employers to help make the move and integration process easier for international employees. Other information available from this website includes:
  • Recruiting and hiring
  • Employer responsibilities

Yukon

• Information for Employers Hiring Foreign Workers: Includes links to Yukon
  community programs.

You can help your employees by sharing helpful resources, training programs and organizations with them.

Bridge programs
Bridge programs are designed to help internationally trained immigrants gain employment in the field in which they were trained or a related field without duplicating their existing skills and education. Below are some resources for province-specific bridge programs and websites that explain bridge programs in more detail.

Organizations and government resources change frequently. The resources below are an excellent place to start, but there may also be others. To find a resource or program specific to your needs and area, it may be helpful to conduct an internet search with key phrases such as “your province/city + your trade + bridge program”.

Alberta

• Alberta Government: Immigrant Bridging Program: This webpage details the Alberta Bridging Program, a training and employment service provided by the Government of Alberta. The program focuses on providing participants with language training and critical employment skills. It encourages immigrants to contribute actively to Alberta’s society and workforce, based on their skills and experience. All bridging programs are offered by approved service providers.

British Columbia

• Welcome BC: This webpage details the process and eligibility criteria for bridging
  programs in BC.
• Trades Pathway for Newcomers: Vancouver Island University offers career skills to help refugees or those with Canada–Ukraine authorization for emergency travel status succeed in the Canadian workplace.
• ISS of BC – Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants, Construction, Engineering & Technology: Career Paths helps newcomers re-align their profession to a career in BC. This includes action planning tailored to career goals.   
• Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants: This webpage details career prospects and resources for newcomers who have professional experience in certain fields and are looking to continue in their careers in BC.

Manitoba

• Careers for Internationally Educated Professionals Program: This program supports ITWs toward working in their professional fields in Manitoba.

New Brunswick

• The Bridge: This is an upskilling experiential learning program for newcomer youths in
  high school.

Newfoundland and Labrador

• Association for New Canadians in Newfoundland and Labrador (ANCL): The ANCL is one of the primary immigrant serving organizations in Newfoundland and Labrador. The organization offers bridging programs, as well as employment search help, language training and more.

Nova Scotia

• Immigrant Serving Association of Nova Scotia: In addition to other settlement services, this organization provides bridging programs for a variety of professions, including architects, medical laboratory technicians, skilled trades, teachers and more.

Ontario

• Electrical Engineering Bridge Program: Electrical Engineering Connections is an Ontario-wide online bridge-to-work program designed to help internationally trained electrical engineering professionals integrate into the Canadian labour market. This online
  program is delivered in partnership with Humber College and supported by the Government of Ontario.
• Ontario Government: Ontario Bridge Training Program (OBTP): The OBTP, offered by the Government of Ontario, provides career-specific language training, employment-oriented and technical skills upgrading, workplace culture, and communication training. Training is delivered by local community colleges, universities, occupational regulatory bodies and immigrant serving organizations. Available for both regulated and non-regulated professions, the program includes tuition for courses and exams, micro-loans, a mentoring partnership and online orientation resources. Many beneficiaries have found jobs in line with their skills within a year of completion.
• Bridging program for ITWs: Humber College offers multiple 15- to 21-week bridging program courses relevant to the electricity sector. Targeted groups include internationally trained civil/mechanical engineers, technologists, technicians, electrical engineers and supply chain management/logistics/purchasing professionals.

Saskatchewan

• Regina Open Door Society (RODS): RODS is one of the primary immigrant serving organizations in Regina. The organization offers a variety of bridging programs for internationally trained individuals to integrate into the Saskatchewan labour market, including interview skills, financial literacy, knowledge of worker’s rights and on-site experience through a volunteer co-op program.

Prince Edward Island

• Career Bridges PEI: Career Bridges is a vocational assessment and guidance program for people considering a career change or further training.
• Workplace Skills Training PEI: Workplace Skills Training is a program developed for employers to train new or existing employees to develop their skills and align with needs of the business. The employer determines the type of training and who will participate. Training must be short term and meet job-specific and incremental industry requirements of the organization.
• SkillsPEI: SkillsPEI is a division of the Department of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population. It was established in 2009 to manage the design and delivery of employment and skills development programming funded by the Canada-Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement and the Canada-PEI Workforce Development Agreement.

Loans for internationally trained immigrants
Loans Canada has a resource page for Loans for Immigrants in Canada, which is an excellent place to explore options. Additional resources are presented below.

• Foreign Credential Recognition Loan Project: BC’s Foreign Credential Recognition Loan Project is a bridging tool for internationally trained professionals undergoing the accreditation process. The project provides financial assistance and offers guidance, labour market resources and encouragement.
• Seed Winnipeg, Recognition Counts: Recognition Counts is a program that provides supports to skilled immigrants wishing to work in their fields of expertise or in alternative careers in Manitoba. The program offers financial counselling, as well as the opportunity to apply for a loan of up to $30,000 with Assiniboine Credit Union to help with the cost of having qualifications recognized in Manitoba and obtaining appropriate employment.
• Microcrédit Montréal: This French-language program provides internationally trained entrepreneurs and professionals with guidance and access to micro-credit.
• Canada Microcredit Educators Group (PEI): This organization provides micro-loans to internationally trained professionals such as technicians, tradespeople and skilled workers who need help to pay for costs associated with obtaining Canadian accreditation or training in their fields.
• Atlantic Immigrant Career Loan Fund (NS, NB, PEI, NL): This fund provides loans to support internationally trained workers living in Atlantic Canada to upgrade skills and obtain licences or certification.   
• Windmill Microlending: This national charity provides affordable loans to skilled newcomers to help restart their careers in Canada and bridge the gap of income inequality and
  labour shortage.

Newcomer training programs
This section includes training programs that cover soft skills and cultural competencies for newcomers and ITWs. Employers can share these programs with employees and their families.

This list is by no means comprehensive. To find the most up-to-date information for your area, it may be helpful to conduct an internet search.

• Find free newcomer services: This Government of Canada website connects newcomers to existing organizations near them.
• Skills Enhancement for Newcomers: This free micro-credential course offered through Vancouver Island University helps newcomers improve the skills and knowledge required to succeed in their chosen career.
• Skills Enhancement for Newcomers Program: Loyalist College offers free micro-credential training that focuses on communication, collaboration and adaptability in the workplace for newcomers to Canada.
• JVS Toronto Newcomer Employment Services: JVS Toronto offers numerous workshops and programs, including sector-specific courses on Canadian workplace communication.
• Skills for Success – Assessment and Training Tools: This library of assessments and trainings collated by Employment and Social Development Canada can help employees improve their skills.
• Welcoming Newcomers Program: EHRC offers funding and resources for employers to recruit and retain ITWs for opportunities in the electricity sector.
• Building Essential Skills in the Workplace: This Government of Canada page highlights the importance of improving skills in the Canadian workforce. It does so by presenting real-life case studies that demonstrate how organizations can address skill challenges. It also includes a straightforward 10-step guide for implementing essential skills learning programs in the workplace, emphasizing the value of ongoing skill development in today’s competitive job market.