What programs help immigrants find work?

As one of Canada's largest cities and Alberta's leading economic center, Calgary attracts thousands of immigrants each year who are looking for new opportunities in life and career. The job search process for newcomers can be challenging and raise many questions, from understanding Canadian employment standards to adapting professional skills to local requirements. That is why the city has an extensive network of specialized programs and organizations that help immigrants not only find work but also build successful careers based on their previous experience and education.

This support is especially important because many skilled professionals face challenges with foreign credential recognition, a lack of understanding of Canadian corporate culture, language barriers, and a lack of local professional experience. Employment support programs for immigrants in Calgary are designed to address these specific challenges and provide a comprehensive approach to integrating newcomers into the local labor market.

Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) Formal Programs

The Calgary Catholic Immigration Society is the largest organization serving immigrants in Western Canada, with over thirty years of experience providing employment and integration services. The organization offers a comprehensive approach to supporting the professional development of immigrants, which includes several key areas.

CCIS's specialized employment programs cover all stages of the job search, from initial skills assessment to direct job placement. The organization provides one-on-one consultations with career advisors who have a deep understanding of the specifics of various industries in Calgary, including the energy sector, information technology, and construction trades. This allows them to provide personalized advice that takes into account clients' previous professional experience and current labor market trends.

The Career Bridge Workshop program is an intensive three-week course that focuses on Canadian job search strategies and integration into the work environment. Participants learn about the local job market, how to find information about their profession, how to develop a career plan, and what to expect in a Canadian workplace. The program is conducted in a hybrid format, combining online classes and face-to-face meetings, which provides flexibility for different groups of participants.

CCIS technology programs deserve special attention, in particular the Information Technology Bridging Program, designed specifically for foreign IT professionals. This 16-week program includes technical training and soft skills development in partnership with SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology), followed by a 10-week internship at leading local IT companies. The program helps participants not only update their technical knowledge in line with Canadian standards, but also gain valuable local work experience, which significantly increases their chances of finding permanent employment.

Calgary Immigrant Women's Association (CIWA): Specialized support for immigrant women

The Calgary Immigrant Women's Association provides unique services specifically designed for immigrant women and their families. The organization offers more than 50 different programs covering all aspects of integration, from language training to professional development.

CIWA's Bridge-to-Work programs are designed to meet the diverse needs of newcomers, regardless of their skill level. The programs cover a wide range of industries, including childcare, retail, restaurant business, security, customer service, administration, accounting, translation, and interpretation. Each program combines professional skills development with learning about Canadian corporate culture and the local job market.

A distinctive feature of CIWA programs is their holistic approach, which includes not only professional training but also the development of important life skills. Participants receive support in writing resumes, preparing for interviews, developing professional networks, and using online platforms to search for jobs. The programs also address the specific challenges faced by immigrant women, such as balancing family responsibilities with professional careers.

Directions for Immigrants: Focus on internationally educated professionals

Directions for Immigrants specializes in helping internationally educated professionals find work and obtain accreditation in Canada. Since 2004, the organization has provided free career center services, helping clients find the right direction in their professional development. The program covers more than 70 professions in various sectors, providing detailed information on accreditation requirements, available programs and services, and career resources for each specialty. This is especially useful for immigrants who have worked in regulated professions in their home countries and need to understand Canadian licensing requirements.

The organization provides comprehensive support in navigating the job search and accreditation process, including one-on-one consultations with career coaches in person, online, or by phone. Career coaches work with clients to develop personalized strategies that take into account their previous experience, current skills, and goals in Canada.

Bow Valley College Programs and Other Educational Initiatives

Bow Valley College plays an important role in preparing immigrants for the Canadian job market through its School of Global Access. The college offers English language and skills development programs and courses for immigrants that help open doors to new career opportunities.

A particular advantage of the college's programs is their integration with the real needs of the labor market. Courses are designed with current trends in various industries in Calgary in mind and provide practical skills that are directly applicable in the workplace. The college also provides career support services, including assistance in finding internships and jobs.

Specialized programs for youth and specific groups

The Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth (CBFY) focuses on supporting young immigrants between the ages of 7 and 30. The organization offers the Youth Employability Skills and Strategy (YESS) program, which helps young immigrants develop employability skills and create strategies for entering the Canadian job market.

The Mentorship program through CBFY introduces young immigrants to Calgary through after-school programs, peer mentoring, field trips, and one-on-one support. This helps young people not only adapt to their new environment, but also develop important social and professional networks.

Trellis Society implements the Building Youth Connections program, which supports young newcomers in becoming healthy, integrated, and self-sufficient adults. The program includes needs assessment, referrals to appropriate services, community connection, advocacy and support in navigating systems, and individual case management with ongoing supportive coaching.

Language programs as a foundation for employment

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) is a fundamental component of preparing immigrants for employment. These programs are provided by various organizations in Calgary, including YW Calgary, CCIS, and others, and offer basic English language training to help permanent residents or refugees with social, cultural, and economic adaptation.

LINC programs are organized according to Canadian Language Benchmarks, from CLB 1 to CLB 4, and offer a variety of scheduling options to meet the needs of different groups of participants. Morning, evening, and daytime classes are available, as well as online and blended learning formats, providing flexibility for people with different life circumstances.

It is important to note that language programs are not limited to learning grammar and vocabulary. They include cultural orientation, which helps participants understand Canadian work standards, communication ethics, and expectations in a professional environment. This is particularly important for successful employment, as understanding cultural nuances is often as important as language proficiency.

Provincial and Federal Support Programs

Alberta Works and Training and Employment Services offer a wide range of programs for unemployed and underemployed Albertans, including immigrants. These programs are delivered through government service providers in communities across the province.

The Immigrant Bridging Program is a particularly important initiative for immigrants with prior skills, education, or experience in a specific occupation. The program helps participants bridge gaps in the knowledge or skills needed to find employment in their occupation or a related field. The program combines career-oriented skills training, work experience, and essential skills, maintaining a link between learning and applying new skills in real work situations.

Rapid Employment Services is designed for Albertans who are ready to work and want to enter the workforce immediately. Participants work one-on-one with a Job Coach to identify their job search needs and have access to employment services based on their individual needs. The program assists with writing personalized resumes and cover letters, providing access to short-term training, and completing job applications.

Foreign Credential Recognition Program

The Foreign Credential Recognition Program (FCRP) plays a critical role in supporting the integration of skilled newcomers into the labour market. The program aims to simplify and harmonize the credential recognition process, provide loans and support services to assist with foreign credential recognition, and help skilled newcomers gain their first Canadian work experience in their profession or field of study.

The program offers financial support through loans of up to $30,000 to cover the costs of exams, credential assessments, books and learning materials, short-term bridge courses, travel expenses, and living assistance. These loans have lower interest rates than traditional banks and offer flexible repayment schedules ranging from one to ten years.

In addition to financial support, the program provides career guidance, including mentoring and networking opportunities, job readiness workshops, and support from employment coaches. This provides a comprehensive approach that addresses both the financial and professional challenges immigrants face in getting their qualifications recognized.

Calgary Career Hub and general employment services

Calgary Career Hub provides resources and support for anyone looking for work in Calgary, including immigrants. The organization offers one-on-one coaching, online workshops, and access to a variety of self-service tools through their Virtual Resource Room.

Services cover everything from the basics of resume writing to interview skills, networking, and information about the local job market. Calgary Career Hub works with bilingual career advisors (English/French), making their services accessible to French-speaking immigrants. A unique feature of Calgary Career Hub is their hands-on approach to employment assistance. The organization maintains close ties with employers and regularly updates information on who is hiring, providing clients with the latest data on employment opportunities.

Vecova and support for newcomers with barriers to employment

Vecova offers Employment Support for Newcomers, a program funded by City of Calgary Family & Community Support Services, designed for newcomers who face barriers to employment. The program provides individualized support in the basics of job search, including resume writing, interview preparation, and work readiness.

The program includes assessment and planning through career exploration and individual support, job search and skills training, including basic and life skills, opportunities to gain work experience and ongoing individual coaching, as well as on-the-job support and retention, including workplace integration.

Through partnerships with local employers, the program connects participants with meaningful employment opportunities, promoting long-term success. The program is free to individuals and accepts referrals and applications, making it accessible to a wide range of newcomers.

Centre for Newcomers and Comprehensive Services

The Centre for Newcomers provides a wide range of services and programs to assist newcomers. The organization offers a variety of training programs, including the Connecting Ukrainians to Employment (CUE) program, Culinary Skills Training Program, In Motion & Momentum (IM&M), Newcomers Essential Skills Training (NEST), and Skill Up program.

The Culinary Skills Training Program develops technical culinary skills and employability skills through Red Seal Chef mentorship and hands-on kitchen experience, preparing participants for work in all aspects of the food service industry. The Skill Up program specifically helps newcomers find career success in skilled trades and construction industries in Alberta.

NEST (Newcomers Essential Skills Training) is a 5-month full-time training program that helps improve essential skills for more successful job search and community participation. The program is free, and participants may qualify for funding while in training.

Immigrant Services Calgary and the Gateway Program

Immigrant Services Calgary offers comprehensive services through its Gateway Program. Gateway Planners work one-on-one with immigrants to understand their goals and connect them with trusted employment resources in the community.

The program helps connect participants to programs that offer employment skills training, job search support, and opportunities to connect with potential employers, empowering participants to take the next step in their career journey. The organization also maintains a Community Job Board, where local agencies and organizations often post openings for great people.

Immigrant Services Calgary has developed special videos to help newcomers prepare for work in Alberta, explaining and demonstrating useful tips for the workplace. These videos help explain Alberta's work culture, career support services and their benefits for immigrants, and rights when working in Alberta.

Special programs for specific groups

The Immigrant Education Society (TIES) offers a variety of programs for different demographic groups. The Empowering Youth through Employment (EYE) Program for youth aged 15 to 30 offers minimum wage support for 20 weeks while participants learn skills that will make them attractive to potential employers.

The Enhancing Youth Possibilities (EYP) program is designed for youth aged 18 to 29 who want to update their employment skills, gain work experience, and find employment in Calgary. TIES also supports programs for women entrepreneurs that help underserved women entrepreneurs access the training, advisory, and resource services they need to start a business, scale up, and access new markets.

Support for Ukrainian immigrants

In response to the current crisis in Ukraine, several organizations have developed specialized support programs. The Centre for Newcomers offers the Connecting Ukrainians to Employment (CUE) program, which develops employment skills for Ukrainian newcomers to transition them into the local Canadian workforce and help them achieve financial independence. Bridges for Newcomers also offers specialized programs for Ukrainian families, including psychosocial support, arts and culture exchange, and programs to combat isolation among seniors.

The role of networking and mentoring

Many programs emphasize the importance of building professional networks for successful employment. Research shows that most job openings are filled by people known to the hiring manager or other employees who provide referrals, underscoring the importance of building a professional network.

Organizations such as the Calgary Regional Immigrant Employment Council (CRIEC) specialize in helping internationally educated immigrants develop strategies to expand their network related to their area of expertise. CRIEC works with clients on career planning, skills assessment, network expansion, and interview skills development to improve their chances of finding suitable employment.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite the wide range of programs available, immigrants still face significant challenges in finding employment in Calgary. Among the main challenges are lengthy credential recognition processes, language barriers, lack of Canadian work experience, and cultural differences in approaches to job searching and workplace behavior.

Future development of employment support programs for immigrants in Calgary will likely focus on further personalizing services, using technology solutions to improve access to programs, and deepening partnerships with employers to create more direct pathways to employment. Another important area is the development of programs that help immigrants not only find work, but also advance their careers and reach their full professional potential in the Canadian context.

The employment support system for immigrants in Calgary demonstrates a comprehensive approach to addressing the complex challenges of integrating newcomers into the local labor market. Thanks to the cooperation of federal, provincial, and municipal governments with numerous non-governmental organizations, immigrants have access to a wide range of resources and programs that help them not only find work but also build successful careers in Canada. The effectiveness of these programs depends on their ability to adapt to the changing needs of the labor market and the specific challenges of different immigrant groups, while ensuring high-quality support and practical results for all participants.