Resources for newcomers

A forward from the Armenian Professionals

Many newcomer professionals arriving to Canada find themselves in a position of having to reinstate their education and skills. Many have to rewrite their resumes and CVs to match Canadian standards. Others are having a hard time adjusting to new interviewing environments. The vicious cycle of lack of “Canadian experience” affects almost every newcomer. Everyone needs to understand the basics of certification and employment in their field.

At the Armenian Professional Society of Canada, we understand these issues and want to provide some orientation. There is a multitude of free of charge resources available to newcomers, which they can use to write or adjust their resumes, cover letters, and prep for interviews. These basics are well covered by many agencies and we find it redundant to replicate them. There are also many bridging programs for new Canadians. We also hope that newcomers will take initiative in addressing these aspects on their own, given the abundance of free opportunities.

We advise all new comers to make use of the resources listed below to bring them up to date with Canadian standards of basic employment. We are hoping that these will become a stepping stone for further venturing into the truly competitive realm of a professional career.

The role of the Armenian Professional Society of Canada comes once the basics are covered. We are hoping to provide the unique advice and mentorship, based on the experience of our members, necessary to advance in a highly competitive professional field.

Yours, Armenian Professional Society of Canada

RESOURCES:

SETTLEMENT RESOURCES

Settlement.org

Settlement.Org provides you with the helpful tools and answers you need for settling in, or immigrating to, Ontario, Canada. This includes writing resumes and cover letters, interviewing skills, job hunting, etc.

Find your nearest location here: http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/search.asp?chosen=22

CanadianImmigrant.ca

The mission of Canadian Immigrant is to be the world’s number one online and print resource for Canadian immigrants by helping them to settle in Canada successfully as they move through their immigrant journey.

This online and print newletter provides an abundance of resources regarding settlement.

SUPPORT SERVICES for ARMENIANS in GTA

We highly encourage new Armenian immigrants to apply to AFSS and/or ARS for support in the first steps of settlement in Ontario.

Armenian Family Support Services

Armenian Family Support Services is a non-profit community organization whose mission is to provide emergency support, settlement and referral services in the Great Toronto Area.

Armenian Relief Society’s “Roubina” Toronto Chapter Social Services

The Toronto Armenian Relief Society Social Services is a dynamic operation, providing confidential and supportive services to meet the needs of the community since 1987.

OTHER ARMENIAN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Canadian Armenian Business Council

The CABC is not for profit S type corporation that serves and promotes the Armenian business community and all of its professionals to the Canadian and North American markets. Drawing on the Armenian heritage and diverse entrepreneurial and business strengths and experience of its members, CABC aims is to increase communication and co-operation between Armenians in business in order to enhance their professional image, to promote their interests and assist them in the development and expansion of their enterprises and careers.

Armenian Canadian Medical Association of Ontario

The ACMAO is a multidisciplinary organization of healthcare professionals in Ontario, Canada, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of the people of Ontario and Armenia through health education, humanitarian projects and academic endeavours.

AGBU Young Professionals of Toronto

AGBU Young Professionals of Toronto (YPTO) is a non-profit organization that was established in October of 2006 to provide like-minded Armenians between the ages of 22 and 40 exciting programs, seminars and networking opportunities. It is through these events and seminars that YPTO promotes the self-development of tomorrow’s leaders and offers our young professionals the opportunity to connect with other young professionals as well as leading businessmen and women in the community.

AGBU Personal and Small Business Consulting

This financial consulting service is provided FREE by Mr. Jack Stepanian, MA, FICB. It is available to all young professionals, small business owners and individuals with financial questions. To book an appointment or inquire, call (416) 431-2428 or email psbc.agbu@gmail.com.

EMPLOYMENT AND BRIDGING RESOURCES

Ontario Immigration Bridge Training Programs

Bridging programs in Biotechnology, Business, Employment Counselling, Environmental, Financial Services, Health Care, Human Resources , Information Technology, Project Management, Sales and Marketing, Supply Chain / Logistics

http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/working/OI_BRIDGE_NONREGS.html

CanadianImmigrant.ca

This online and print newletter also provides an abundance of resources work and education. Please, make sure to visit this most valuable resource.

Employment Ontario – Learn about working in Ontario

http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/employmentontario/newtoontario/index.html

COSTI.org

At COSTI, we understand that success means different things to different people. By filling peoples lives with opportunities for success, we’re helping build a strong and prosperous community. COSTI provides the means to a brighter future.

ACCESS Employment

ACCES Employment connects employers to qualified candidates since 1986. More than 16,000 job seekers are served annually at 5 locations across the Greater Toronto Area (Toronto, Scarborough, Mississauga, North York and Brampton). ACCES offers a range of free employment services.

http://www.accesemployment.ca

The Career Foundation

A results-oriented non-profit organization that has been service people across the City of Toronto successfully since 1988. Programs include job search and placement, language assessment for newcomers, and HR solutions for employers.

http://www.careerfoundation.com

Online course for internationally educated professionals

If you are a professional either working in or thinking of moving to Ontario, you need to find out whether or not you require licensing/registration within your profession. The Ontario Regulators for Access Consortium (ORAC) provides a free, 1-hour web-based educational program that will help internationally educated individuals develop strategies for working more effectively with regulatory bodies.

Welcome Centre Immigrant Services

Welcome Centre Immigrant Services provide a one-stop service under one roof designed to guide and support immigrants through the maze of information and resources in York Region. Services are provided free of charge.

http://www.welcomecentre.ca

Scotia Professional Student Plan Now Available to Internationally Trained Professionals

Scotiabank’s Scotia Professional® Student Plan is now available to Foreign Trained Professionals studying in qualifying/bridging programs at a Canadian University. This customized professional banking program provides the newcomer professional with solutions and strategies to help them achieve financial goals while completing their studies and after graduation. For more information, click here.

The Scotiabank StartRight Program has been designed specifically with the newcomer in mind to help them start right financially. For more information on financial solutions offered through the Scotiabank StartRight Program, visit www.scotiabank.com/startright.

Bridging Programs at Humber College

Humber offers a broad range of learning opportunities for students through certificates, diplomas, degrees and specialized postgraduate certificates. Many internationally trained professionals have benefited from the educational opportunities and services such as advising services, language classes, and bridging programs that offer short-term, technical training. We have provided educational and career advice to over 4,500 internationally trained professionals that has led them to further professional studies and employment in their desired fields.

See details at http://newtocanada.humber.ca.

Bridging program for Internationally Trained Engineers

Through funding from the Government of Ontario, the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) offers a Bridge Training Program to help speed the integration of internationally trained engineers (ITEs) into Ontario’s labour market. Our bridging program aims to bring each ITE one step closer to meeting the ultimate goal – a rewarding career as an engineer in Canada.

https://www.ospe.on.ca/ite-bridging-program

Woodgreen Community Services

Woodgreen’s Newcomer Services divisions provides programs for newcomer professionals. Visit their web site for details.