Education/training

Putting immigrants on the career fast track

A comprehensive new employment program is giving newcomers a better understanding the local job market and helping them quickly find work in their field.

SHARON ASCHAIEK
[ 2005-11-09 ]

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Kevin Lin, an ACCES employment consultant, and Maxine Fisher, an ACCES job developer, teach participants how to effectively contact Canadian employers.

New in Canada is an intensive four-week program that familiarizes recent immigrants with the local job market and connects them with employers so that they can quickly re-enter their profession. The program was launched this past May by Accessible Community Counselling and Employment Services, or ACCES (www.accestrain.com), and is available through its Scarborough site.

"Programs like this are essential for new Canadians," says Manjeet Dhiman, ACCES senior manager. "These people are coming to Canada without a lot of information and unrealistic expectations, and are not getting the support that they thought would get. It's really important that services like these are available to them."

For the first two weeks, participants learn everything they need to know about Canadian workplace culture, workplace communication, labour market trends, effective job hunting strategies and the range of community resources available to them.

They spend the following two weeks independently using the centre's facilities and resources to conduct thorough job searches. At the centre they can access computers with Internet access, career books, newspapers, photocopying services, a job posting board, a community information board and job search seminars.


Perhaps the biggest advantage to participants is the hands-on, interactive instruction and job search support they receive from employment consultants and job developers throughout the program.

"There's a lot of coaching involved in this initiative. We're not just teaching them, we're modelling to them scenarios that they can expect at a workplace or a job interview, and giving them opportunities to practise their own skills," Dhiman says.

"When they begin actively looking for work," she continues, "we may be able to refer them to suitable employers and we'll even contact the employer for them to facilitate things."

The program, which accepts a new intake of 15 to 20 individuals every two weeks, has enjoyed a tremendous start, with more than 70% of its participants so far having found work, and in most cases, work in their chosen field.

One such successful graduate is Richard Lee, a 31-year-old native of China who moved to Toronto with his wife in late April. A software developer with 10 years' experience, Lee's initial attempts at landing work here were frustrating and fruitless.

"It was difficult because of the language (barrier), and my lack of understanding of the job hunting culture, job market rules and so on," Lee says.

About a month later a friend referred him to ACCES, and he quickly signed up for the new program. He says he learned a great deal about proper resume writing, interviewing techniques and communication skills. More important, he says, was the way the information was presented.

"They always acted things out to simulate a different (employment) situation, and you could join in and interact with the consultants. This was very useful -- the best way to learn is through real-life cases, not theory," Lee says.

ACCES was able to help Lee prepare for three upcoming job interviews at IBM, CIBC and Rogers Wireless. Just three days after finishing the program, Lee landed a job as a software developer at IBM.

"I was surprised and happy -- I couldn't believe I got my first job so soon!" he says. "I don't know how to express my excitement. This means a real start to my life here."



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