Immigration Canada

English: La Cité collégiale, a French-language community college in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English and French training often provided for newcomers

When it comes to determining the degree of success a newcomer will enjoy in Canada, nothing trumps language. The ability to communicate effectively in at least one of Canada’s official languages is essential in understanding Canadian culture, in getting to know your neighbours, and in becoming an active and engaged citizen—not to mention how important it is when looking for a job in Canada.

Nearly all jobs in Canada require substantially more than basic fluency in English or French. In addition to fluency in English or French, most trades and professions also require a strong command of all work-related language, including the cultural knowledge to understand common phrases and expressions, some of which may be unique to Canada.

Language is just so fundamentally important to make it in Canada, especially for newcomers looking to pursue a career in the field for which they’ve been trained or to access post-secondary education. This is why Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) funds a large network of service providers who offer language training for free.

The Government of Canada, in cooperation with provincial governments, school boards, community colleges and immigrant-serving organizations, offers free language training across the country to adult permanent residents. In most provinces, the name of the program is LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada). In French, the program is known as CLIC (Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada).

To help newcomers integrate into the labour market, many immigrant-serving organizations also offer programs or training in job-search skills, networking, internships, mentorships or work placements.

CIC has also developed online tools to help newcomers find employment. Located on the Foreign Credentials Referral Office website, the Workbook Tool (www.credentials.gc.ca) helps newcomers create an action plan to obtain employment. In addition, the Working in Canada Tool (WorkinginCanada.gc.ca) helps newcomers better understand labour market and occupational requirements by province.

For more information on free services for newcomers such as language training, help with everyday tasks, finding a job and helping newcomers adjust to life in Canada, please visit our site at cic.gc.ca/newcomers2.

If you have work experience in Canada, either as a temporary foreign worker or through work permit options available to graduates of Canadian post-secondary institutions, you could qualify for permanent resident status in Canada.
There is an immigration category designed for people in these circumstances.
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) recognizes that you may already have the knowledge, skills and experience you need to succeed in Canada. The CEC allows temporary foreign workers and foreign students who meet certain requirements to apply to stay in Canada permanently. The CEC is a unique program as your experience in Canada is a key selection factor when you apply for permanent residence.
To apply for permanent resident status through the CEC, individuals must be temporary foreign workers with at least two years of eligible work experience in Canada or, alternatively, must have graduated from an eligible post-secondary program in Canada with at least one year of eligible work experience after graduation.
In addition, they must also be able to communicate in one of Canada’s two official languages, although the required level of ability in English or French will vary depending on the type of work. For example, the language requirements for managerial and professional occupations are higher than the requirements for applicants who have been working in a technical occupation or in a skilled trade. More information about specific language requirements can be found on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website.
Visit the CIC website at cic.gc.ca/cec2 for more detailed information, including all the forms and guides that will help you complete your application free of charge.