Employment Services Help Newcomers Work in Canada
Dreaming of continuing your career in Canada is exciting! The best advice you can receive is to take advantage of pre-arrival employment services and programs that are funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Why? Because these services will help you avoid the stress of navigating your job search independently. In addition, you’ll gain many benefits including developing the skills, knowledge, and connections to join Canada’s labour force in a timely manner. Discover how free, pre-arrival employment services can help you gain a competitive advantage to continue your career in Canada!
Any job search takes hard work, patience, and perseverance. Searching for a job as a newcomer is even more challenging with hurdles to overcome. For newcomers looking to join Canada’s workforce, preparing to work and planning your job search approach is vital.
Why are Pre-arrival Employment Services Vital for Newcomers?
When moving to Canada, there is a great deal to know and do to set yourself up for success, from deciding what province and city to settle in, preparing for the local job market, and acclimatizing to life in Canada.
It takes time to learn about job requirements and become familiar with what’s expected of you to work in Canada. What could take months to research, can be a matter of hours when you access pre-arrival services. So, why not use services that can help you orient yourself faster? Pre-arrival employment services can help you:
Understand the Canadian and local job markets
Search for a job that matches your skills and experience
Write a Canadian-style resume that employers will notice
Prepare to get your international credentials recognized so employers see the value of your international experience
Learn about Canadian workplace culture so you can join the workforce with confidence
Find a mentor from your professional background who can share their experience and advice, and much more!
A survey conducted for this 2023 Settlement Outcomes Report conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) revealed that 68% of newcomer survey respondents were aware of settlement services. Of those, 95% said the services were useful. Using settlement services will help you achieve your employment goals. Newcomers who use pre-arrival services report having a greater understanding of what they need to help their job search. This includes identifying and minimizing challenges they may face when arriving in Canada.
Are Pre-arrival Services Free?
Many pre-arrival services are free because they are funded by IRCC. Providing free pre- and post-arrival support is the best and fastest way to welcome, embrace, and support newcomers who choose to build a new life in Canada. With faster integration, you’ll contribute to Canada’s economy and achieve your professional goals more quickly.
Who is Eligible for Pre-Arrival Services?
While IRCC pre-arrival employment services are free, you have to meet some specific requirements. Be sure to check if you are eligible for the programs that you have an interest in. Generally, to be eligible you must:
Have official permanent residence (PR) approval from IRCC
Live outside of Canada
Provide one of the IRCC documents:
Letter that says you can get pre-arrival services
Confirmation of permanent residence letter
Passport request letter that indicates permanent residence visa issuance
Letter asking for your medical exam results
Single-entry permanent resident visa
Letter to inform you that you can pick up your permanent resident visa.
Unfortunately, pre-arrival services are not available to temporary residents who plan to visit, study, or work in Canada on a visa or permit.
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How Can Newcomers Get Pre-arrival Employment Services?
Multiple organizations in Canada provide free pre-arrival employment services to help newcomers prepare to work in Canada. No matter what province or city you plan to settle in, you can get career guidance and direction. With guidance, you’ll have the confidence you need for an effective job search. But, where do you start?
PreArrivalCanada.ca
This is the best place to begin your search for employment services. With one simple registration, PreArrivalCanada.ca gives you access to a wide range of settlement and employment programs that you may be eligible for if you have been approved to immigrate to Canada. Only three simple steps:
One: Find out if you are eligible for free pre-arrival services by answering a few questions.
Two: Explore a list of nationwide settlement, employment, and industry-specific employment programs.
Three: Complete the registration form and begin receiving pre-arrival employment services from the programs that you select.
While PreArrivalCanada is your best starting place, here are other organizations and employment services to consider!
BCCA Integrating Newcomers (BCCA-IN)
The construction industry is predicting an 80,000 shortfall in workforce numbers over the next decade due to retirements and industry growth. So, it’s fair to say Canada’s construction industry is actively hiring.
If you have construction experience, BCCA-IN can help you build your Canadian construction career faster. If you’re eligible for this free construction-focused employment services program, you’ll receive one-on-one coaching with a dedicated career coach.
BCCA-IN can help you if you’re a technical professional such as a tradesperson, engineer (in any discipline), architect, technician, technologist, project manager, estimator, or analyst. With a BCCA-IN career coach, they can:
Provide construction-related job-hunting tips and tools
Source live job leads for you to begin applying for work
Conduct a detailed skills and education assessment to help you understand relevant career paths
Connect you to provincial professional associations and licensing authorities, and more!
Many professions and trades within the construction industry are regulated. When you work with a dedicated career coach, they can steer you in the right direction and help you understand how to obtain required licenses.
While you’re still in your home country, you’ll learn how to access the right tools, resources, job leads, and referrals to build your career faster. With connections to settlement services, construction associations, and employers across Canada, you’ll receive support no matter where you plan to settle.
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ACCES Employment
Here’s an overview of three of the employment programs:
Canadian Employment Connections
This program provides virtual pre-arrival services to help internationally trained professionals prepare to join the Canadian job market. With a focus on in-demand jobs, you’ll discover the skills you need to land roles across six Canadian sectors including Engineering, Financial Services, Human Resources, Leadership, Sales and Marketing, and Supply Chain.
Connecting Canada Program
Thinking of settling in a smaller urban or rural community in Canada? This can be a great alternative to settling in Canada’s largest cities such as Toronto and Vancouver. While these large cities are often the ones that immigrants are most familiar with, they are expensive to live in. With the Connecting Canada Program, pre-arrival immigrants can learn about different communities to settle in and engage with local employers eager to hire immigrant talent.
Entrepreneurship Connections Pre-Arrival (ECP)
Are you an entrepreneur? Or do you want to explore how entrepreneurship can provide you with exciting opportunities?
In Canada, small businesses generate more than 100,000 jobs a year! If you aspire to pursue your entrepreneurial dream, ACCES Employment can equip you with the skills and knowledge to make your dream a reality. You’ll gain access to coaches and consultants who can share their experience and advice.
With the ECP program, you’ll receive entrepreneurship training and support, along with resources to start your business. When you participate in the ECP program, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about starting a business in Canada.
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Planning for Canada
With Planning for Canada employment services, you’ll discover how to boost your employability. You’ll receive one-on-one support from a facilitator who can prepare you for professional success. This organization can help you update your resume to meet Canadian standards and learn new skills, including industry-specific language, or Canadian workplace etiquette.
While you can find a job in Canada with your existing foreign credentials and work experience, you may need to have your credentials assessed before you can apply for jobs. This can also make it easier for you to get a job faster after your arrival. Planning for Canada employment services provides the information, resources, and contacts to guide you through the credential recognition process with ease.
Active Engagement and Integration Project (AEIP)
When you participate in the AEIP, you’ll benefit by getting a custom settlement plan that includes how to approach your job search in Canada. Working with employment counsellors who will determine your unique needs, you’ll learn about Canada’s labour market and effective job search strategies. You’ll discover local employers and services and learn how you can present yourself to employers with confidence.
Using free pre-arrival employment services can be a great benefit to help you easily and quickly join the workforce and continue your career in Canada. You’ll discover a positive and rewarding experience that will ensure you achieve your important goals and dreams!
