Searching for Newcomer Employment Programs

COVID-19 (5 Jan 2022):Services are open to clients all over Ottawa, not just in the west end. Leave a voicemail at 613-288-3880 to book an appointment, email employment.info@pqchc.com or visit booknow.appointment-plus.com/b09xrklg/

Employment Ontario Employment Services

Comprehensive employment and job search services

• assessment of skills, interests and experience
• job search strategies, including resume preparation
• information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment and training opportunities
• on-the-job training, work experience
• help in maintaining employment
• information and referral to other employment and community services

Better Jobs Ontario
Skills training and financial support for laid off workers

• training program must demonstrate good job prospects
• financial support based on need, may include tuition, instructional costs, books, transportation and/or a basic living allowance

Services for employers: help in identifying human resource skills requirements

• matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience
• support for developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements to support retention

Canada-Ontario Job Grant: financial support for individual employers to purchase training for their employees

• available to small, medium and large businesses planning to deliver short-term training for existing or new employees

Future Builders: pre-apprenticeship training in the General Carpentry trade

• available to youth between the ages of 15-29

Job Track Childcare: pre-apprenticeship training in the Child Development Practitioner trade

Youth Lead - pre-employment program which supports immigrant and refugee youth between the ages of 15-29

• to participate in the workforce
• to develop Canadian workplace skills

Internationally Trained Professionals Program: pre-employment program which supports new comers and refugees who are internationally trained professionals with mentorship and participation in the Canadian workplace

Community Connections for Newcomer Employment: pre-employment program for isolated newcomers who need support in accessing employment programming

In Motion and Momentum : pre-employment program which helps those who are stuck, begin to move in a direction that feels good, taps into their full potential and creates the life they want to live

COVID-19 (August 15, 2022): The three food banks supported by PQCHC continue to run on modified schedule and program. Services are accessed by appointment only and available to those people living in the catchments assigned to each location: Pinecrest Terrace Community House 613-596-6703, Morrison Gardens Community 613-596-6229 and Foster Farms Community House 613-596-4866. The Health Clinic operates on appointments only. For more details and up-to-date information, see website.

Health centre focused on family and community health

Primary Health Care:

• medical clinic staffed by family physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses / community clinics
• nutrition: individual and group support provided by registered dietitians
• clean needle exchange / safe inhalation
• diabetes education
• falls prevention program
• primary care outreach for seniors
• dental screening
• nursing foot care
• lung health program

Community Health:

• community development: advocacy, education and supports to community residents to increase involvement in the community
• multicultural outreach: assistance to newcomers to facilitate integration into existing services
• health promotion: focusing on enabling people to increase control of their health and address determinants of health
• community house coordination: develop and facilitate programs and outreach to five low-income housing communities, support to planning and community initiatives
• safety and trust: support to community leaders and training to support the development of healthy communities and address issues of concern
• youth programming: homework clubs, United Sisters program for girls 10-14, training, workshops and events for youth, Somali Youth leadership and skills development
• pathways to education: support to high school students from low-income communities to help complete high school and move on to post-secondary education: tutoring, mentoring, financial and advocacy support

PQ Employment Services:

• PQ Employment Services: bring the right people together with the resources they need to find success
• Canada Ontario Job Grant program: provides financial support to individual employers who want to purchase training for their employees

Employment Programs:

• Youth LEAD Employment Program: assists permanent resident and refugee youth between the ages of 15-29 to develop skills and experience working in Canada
• Job Track: 15 week program that provides pre-apprenticeship training in the Child Development Practitioner trade through paid placements in child care settings
• Future Builders: 15 week program that provides pre-apprenticeship training and work experience to youth with barriers to employment (aged 16-29 years) in residential construction trades (i.e. general carpentry)

Children and Family Services:

• Headstart Nursery School: subsidized preschool program
• Early ON Child and Family Centre: universal access, information and referrals, bilingual designation
• Leaping Lizards: after-school programming
• Toy Lending Libraries: educational and recreational toys
• Circle of Support: parenting support for vulnerable families - home visiting
• Pre-Post Natal Programs: focus on infant care, parent education, nutrition program for high risk pregnant women
• School's Cool: school readiness program

Specialized Preschool Programs:

• First Words: screening clinics and treatment for children with speech language developmental delays
• Infant Hearing: screening of all newborns born deaf or at risk of deafness
• Blind/Low Vision: intervention and consultation services for families with infants diagnosed as blind or low-vision

Mental Health:

• Assertive Community Treatment Team: support and treatment to those with severe persistent illness
• Families First: housing assistance
• System Navigation: increase client self-efficacy and autonomy

Employment services

• individual strength-based counselling
• focus includes identifying and challenging barriers to employment, experience of loss, and adaptation to new work and cultural environment

Employment Assistance:

• member of the LASI World Skills employment program for new Canadians
• job search workshops
• workplace language training programs
• access to Federal Internship Program for Newcomers

Community services centre for immigrants and refugees

• assists newcomers, refugees and ethno-cultural groups to become equal participants in social, economic and political life
• creating community and safe spaces
• visiting programs include Legal Aid, Housing Help
• free citizenship test classes for eight weeks, three hours per week
• requirements Canadian Language Benchmark 4

Community Economic Development:

• delivers career mentoring and networking programs to support newcomers to:
• obtain employment in their field
• develop an understanding of the workplace culture
• build networks
• develop strategies for employment maintenance and advancement

Programming includes

• Core Career Mentorship
• Federal Internship for Newcomers (FIN)
• Refugee and Immigrant Supports to Employment (RAISE)
• Pre-Arrival Supports
• Ottawa Mentoring Collaborative
• Job Search Workshops

Multicultural Liaison Officer Program: Multicultural Liaison Officer (MLO) partnering with the English Public and English Catholic school boards of Ottawa to provide:

• settlement services to newcomer families in schools and summer programs
• leadership development
• civic engagement opportunities
• helps create a welcoming school environment for newcomer students
• helps youth gain the necessary skills to achieve their goals and develop a positive mindset to overcome the challenges they may be facing so that they can contribute to Canadian society
• offered both at the elementary and high schools levels for immigrant and refugee youth, ages 13-24

Settlement and Integration Program:

• multilingual and multicultural services to facilitate successful adaptation and integration processes
• information and orientation sessions for individuals, families and groups
• supportive counselling
• settlement consultation
• client advocacy
• community referrals

Counselling Program:

• see separate record for more information

YOCISO:

• offers academic, life skills, counselling, and arts-based support in a fun and interactive way

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC):

• full-time and part-time English language training for newcomers for settlement and community
• open to all landed immigrants and convention refugees over the age of 17
• classes are offered in the South region of Ottawa
• daytime and evening classes available
• child care is also available

Refugee Sponsorship: private sponsorship of refugees by any group of five or more Canadian citizens or permanent residents 18 years of age and older who live in the expected community of settlement

• group must collectively commit to provide the necessary support for their sponsored refugee for the full duration of the sponsorship
• refugee must qualify as refugee according to Canada's refugee and humanitarian resettlement program.

Employment and education services provider linking Internationally Educated Professionals (IEPs) with Canadian businesses

Employment and education services for IEPs, including:

• Job referrals
• Career counselling
• Workplace communication & industry specific English training
• Work placements
• Mentorship matches
• Networking opportunities

Staffing and support services for businesses, including:

• Staffing solutions
• Work placements
• Cultural competency training for employers
• Workplace mentorship initiatives
• Bookkeeping, taxation and IT support for start-ups and SMEs

COVID-19 (22 Aug 2022): Services offered remotely by phone and email and in person by appointment only.

Employment services that are designed specifically for newcomers, immigrants and refugees

• Information and orientation sessions, language and skills training to help facilitate access to employment.
• Employment needs assessments and referrals.
• Pre- and post-arrival information and referrals.
• Job search workshops and training, resume and interview coaching, employment counselling, assistance to establish social and professional networks to access employment opportunities.
• Enhanced language training courses and workplace language courses for eligible clients.
• Targeted recruitment and coaching and networking events with employers.
• Sector specific support for internationally trained professionals (ITPs).
• Specific programming for clients with lower language skills in English (CLB 3-5) and to clients with intermediate and advanced language skills in English (CLB 5 and above)
• Pre-screening and preparation of candidates for the Federal Internship for Newcomers (FIN) Program
• Job search workshops and some employment services in French

The Sector Specific Employment Initiative (SSEI) is a three-year research program that is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

The program focuses on employer engagement strategies in 15 select sectors and evaluates the impact of such focused strategies on the degree of employer engagement and, subsequently, the success in the employment of internationally trained newcomers within those sectors. Some of the highlights of the program are:

• 5-day sector specific training
• Job fairs, job postings and one-on-one support
• Targeted recruitment events
• Employer information and coaching sessions
• Employer mentorship

Pre-arrival service providing specialized information and orientation about skilled trades ​

• employment consultations personalized to clients' needs and goals
• service offered through Skype, WhatsApp, Viber, telephone, email, etc
• workshops cover topics such as Canadian workplace culture, popular skilled trades, job search techniques and more

COVID-19 (26 Mar 2020): Due to COVID19, the centre is physically closed and regular programming is on hold until further notice * staff is still available via email and phone to support clients * free online computer classes available for women: permanent residents, convention refugees, caregivers * to register, contact iskrena@immigrantwomenservices.com or call 613-729-3145

Crisis Intervention and Counselling Service:

• crisis intervention
• short-and long-term counselling
• information, referral and support services
• support to victims of war and trauma
• support and information on various options for pregnant women

Orientation and Adaptation Services:

• needs assessment and information and referral to community and social services
• support with finding housing, child care, registering children in school and health care
• support with finding housing, child care, registering children in school and health care community support through volunteer befriending, conversation circles to practice English or French
• help with connecting to language classes
• workshops to reduce stress of adjusting to Canadian culture

Translation and interpretation services:

• professionally trained interpreters with expertise in health, community and social services: in person, by phone and Video Remote Interpreting (VRI)

Supportive counselling:

• short-term counselling to clients who encounter difficulties in adjusting to life in Canada and assistance in overcoming these challenges

Citizenship Preparation:

• courses, tests and activities to help newcomers prepare for the citizenship test: in class or online.

Employment Counselling and Preparation:

Job search preparation and training:

• developing strong job search strategies and workplace communication skills

Employment counselling:

• resume help, job readiness clinic, employment counselling, skills and career development and help in establishing social and professional networks

Job search workshop held monthly:

• free childcare
• referrals
• computer training

Support services for women who are victims or survivors of violence and/or newcomers and their families:

Support Groups:

• 10-week support group for women survivors of violence
• transportation
• child care
• language interpretation

Children Who Witness Violence Program (in partnership with Family Services à la famille Ottawa) offering:

• support and information to children who witness violence in the home
• individual counselling for childre
• family counselling
• art club for children and mother

Transitional and Housing Support Program for Abused Women

Other Settlement Services:

Language Interpreter Training:

• for culturally diverse women and men who fulfill the requirements for training
• for more information on this program, call the Language Interpretation service

Public education

Training and Outreach:

• Information sessions on Ottawa's diverse community

Anti-oppression training for service providers

Public education sessions on domestic violence for newcomers

Workshops for newcomer immigrant women on parenting in a new culture, legal information, social assistance etc.

Works with service providers and community partners to reach isolated newcomer immigrants and refugee women

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

Career Transitions for International Health Professionals

Assists internationally trained health professionals with their job searches or licensing efforts

• through a series of workshops and ongoing support, the program helps transition into the Canadian health care workforce
• includes networking events and other targeted activities to help professionals find a job, residency or further education in the health care field

Multi-sectoral partnership involving 60 local organizations working on a shared vision and common priorities designed to build local capacity to attract, settle, and integrate immigrants in five sectors:

• Education
• Economic Integration
• Health and Wellbeing
• Language
• Socio-Civic Integration

Community-based social service organization

• settlement programs and services to Rwandan refugees and immigrants of neighboring countries during the difficult, complex and stressful process of acculturation
• Christmas basket
• mattresses donation
• PTSD program
• end violence for women

COVID-19 (20 May 2022) Suspended all one-on-one services and group info sessions until further notice *call the Hotline at 613-286-7357 from 8:30 till 4:30 pm for questions and your phone request will be directed to the appropriate counsellor

Settlement and social services agency

• developing and improving integration tools and resources to support clients in receiving services that meet their needs
• facilitates the access of available services

Settlement Program (formerly Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program):

• orientation programs, language and skills training to help facilitate employment
• programs to welcome newcomers to the community
• may provide needs and eligibility assessments, pre- and post-arrival information and referral, job search and employment counselling, assistance to establish social and professional networks to promote community engagement, and assistance to access a range of settlement services
• also offers crisis counselling

Initiative that brings together employers, immigrant agencies, and stakeholders to enhance employers' ability to access the talents of skilled immigrants

• convenes and collaborates with employers and stakeholders
• raises public awareness

Develops tools, resources, programs and events that support employer's capacity to more effectively attract, hire and integrate skilled immigrants into their workplaces, including:

• Cross Cultural Competency Workshops
• Coaching and Networking Events
• Employer Tools and Resources
• Labour Market Information
• Annual Employer Summit
• Employer Excellence Awards

Promotes awareness and economic integration of francophone immigrants in Ontario

• offers professional support to all clients over a period of three to six months

Two components:

Employability:

• educates Ontario employers on the benefits of hiring a newcomer
• prepares newcomers to Ontario's labour market realities
• supports small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in their recruitment of newcomers

Entrepreneurship:

• supports newcomers and members of francophone communities with the development of their business plan
• provides support in leadership development and the creation of a network of professional contacts

Settlement Program (formerly Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program)

Orientation and Adaptation Services

• needs assessment and 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
• community support through volunteer befriending, conversation circles to practice English or French
• help with connecting to language classes

Citizenship Preparation

• courses, tests and activities to help newcomers prepare for the citizenship test
• offered in French only
• citizenship preparation courses on-site

Employment Counselling and Preparation

• bridging services connecting skilled or internationally trained professional newcomers to employment with job placements, mentorship, volunteering and networking connections in their preferred fields

Job search centre

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

Job search preparation and training

• develop strong job search strategies and workplace communication skills

Employment counselling

• resume help
• job readiness clinic
• employment counselling
• skills and career development and help in establishing social and professional networks

Franco-immigrant integration portal (PIFI)

• French-speaking newcomers only Facebook group intended to be a place for friendly discussion on various settlement and integration issues.

Organization working towards economic and socio-cultural integration of the racial and ethnocultural francophone minorities of the Ottawa region

• provides services primarily in French to Francophone immigrants and newcomers to the region

Visit website or see separate listings for more details on programs and services

• "La Boussole francophone": settlement services and employment services
• "Collectivités accueillantes": community connections host program
• "Vieillir en Santé": health education program for seniors
• "Emploi-CESOC": help with employment research
• "Vers la voie du Renouveau": services for francophone youth (12-18 years old) who are in trouble with the law
• income tax preparation assistance for low income individuals; prior and current year returns
• conversation groups in English and French
• technical and cultural support for economic integration of refugees and vulnerable newcomers: job search support, employment services, integrated support, financial literacy, entrepreneurship training, social enterprise training (pilot program until March 2019)

Series of workshops on employability and self marketing

• essential support to help set goals, create a network, target and contact professionals in a specific field
• advice throughout the training period and in the first years of employment

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

Programme relais en administration (PRCA)

• update skills via theoretical and technical training
• opportunity to observe different work environments
• co-op term

Programme d'accès aux métiers de la construction pour les immigrants (PAMCI)

• non technical courses, technical courses and some practical workshops (approximately 200 hours of training)
• prepares immigrants for their eligibility to write the Certificate of Qualification exam
• gains the work-related health and safety cards

Council acting as a strategic planning body to coordinate and enhance the newcomers' integration in the community.

Comprehensive employment and job search services

• assessment of skills, interests and experience
• job search strategies, including resume preparation
• information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment and training opportunities
• on-the-job training, work experience
• help in maintaining employment
• information and referral to other employment and community services
• services for immigrants and newcomers, including settlement support, referrals, and assistance in job search

Settlement Program (formerly Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program)

Orientation and Adaptation Services

• needs assessment and 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
• community support through volunteer befriending, conversation circles to practice English or French
• help with connecting to language classes
• workshops to reduce stress of adjusting to Canadian culture

Translation and Interpretation Services

• volunteer interpreters when requested by social services/Cornwall Police/Cornwall Hospital

Citizenship Preparation

• courses, tests and activities to help newcomers prepare for the citizenship test

Language Training Services

• English as a Second Language/French as a Second Language
• English or French for Life and Work in Canada
• conversation and pronunciation classes

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada

• provides basic language skills in English [or French]
• childminding offered
• part-time classes

Employment Counselling and Preparation

Job search centre

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

Other Settlement Services

Settlement Workers in Schools

• assists newcomer students and their families with settling into schools and the community
• outreach program based in elementary and secondary schools from mid-August to end of June

Library Settlement Partnership

• workshops, one-to-one counselling, settlement referrals
• English Conversation Club

Community Connections Mentorship Program (formerly HOST 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

Group Information Sessions and Immigrant Women's Network

• Assists newcomers in understanding Canadian society, transportation, adaptation processes and more, in an informal group environment

Outreach

• Will come to other organizations to provide services and information (cultural groups, English as a Second Language ESL classes and more)

Satellite location in Brockville

Settlement Program (formerly Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program)

Orientation and Adaptation Services

• Needs assessment and Information and referral to community and social services
• support with finding housing, child care, registering children in school and health care
• community support through volunteer befriending, conversation circles to practice English or French
• help with connecting to language classes

Citizenship Preparation

• courses
• tests and activities to help newcomers prepare for the citizenship test

Employment Counselling and Preparation

• Bridging Services-- connects skilled or internationally trained professional newcomers to employment with job placements, mentorship, volunteering and networking connections in their preferred fields

Job Search Centre

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

Job Search Preparation and Training

• developing strong job search strategies and workplace communication skills

Employment Counselling

• resume help
• job readiness clinic
• employment counselling
• skills and career development and help in establishing social and professional networks

Other settlement services
Settlement Workers in Schools

• assists newcomer students and their families with settling into schools and the community
• outreach program based in elementary and secondary schools from mid-August to end of June

Advisor available to discuss and explore options

• career and educational goals
• post-secondary programs and courses
• language programs
• bridging programs
• credential assessment
• available funding for education and retraining
• referrals to community resources and services