Skills Connect for Immigrants
ASPECT is proud to bring you the Skills Connect for Immigrants program in regions across the province. You have the skills, qualifications and experience BC needs and we look forward to helping you find that perfect employment fit. Our program provides an individual approach, tailored to meet your needs.
Eligibility criteria:
- You became a permanent resident of Canada within the last 5 years, and
- Your are unemployed or underemployed; and
- Have an intermediate to advanced level of English language proficiency
If you’re eligible, we will:
- assess your skills, qualifications and experiences;
- provide targeted career counselling and career planning services;
- provide job seeking skills and support and an introduction to Canadian workplace culture
- improve your language skills and help to upgrade other skills; or
- industry specific skills training;
- provide connections to and assistance with regulating bodies; and
- provide hands-on workplace experience through mentoring and other innovative approaches.
80% of the participants who completed this program have found a meaningful career that uses their skills and training. Others have had skills upgrading and training to set them firmly on their career path. Will you be our next success story?
For more information on how get started with the Skills Connect for Immigrants program, please contact the Service Deliverer in your area.
The BC Skills Connect for Immigrants Program is part of the WelcomeBC umbrella of services, made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.
Service Deliverers
North
Employment Connections
101 - 9907 99th Ave.
Fort St. John, BC V1J 1V1
Contact: Christine Bourgeois
Phone: (250) 787-0024
christine@employmentconnections.bc.ca
Hecate Strait Employment Development Society
208 First Avenue East
Prince Rupert, BC V8J 4M8
Contact: Maru Senties
Phone: (250) 624-9498
maru@hseds.ca
Immigrant & Multicultural Services Society
1633 Victoria St.
Prince George, BC V2L 2L4
Contact: Romana Pasca
Phone: (250) 562-2900
romana@imss.ca
Northwest Training
201 - 4622 Greig Avenue
Terrace, BC V8G 1M9
Also delivers in Kitimat
Contact: Lynn Hughes
Phone: (250) 638-8108
lynnhughes@telus.net
Interior
Greater Trail Community Skills Centre
123 - 1290 Esplanade
Trail, BC
Contact: Carol Corbett
Phone: (250) 368-6360
ccorbett@communityskillscentre.com
North Okanagan Employment Enhancement Society
102 - 3201 30th St.
Vernon, BC V1T 9G9
Contact: Rob Donald
Phone: (250) 545-0585
rob@noees.com
Pentiction & District Multicultural Society
508 Main Street
Penticton, BC V2A 5C7
Contact: Hilme Labelle
Phone: (250) 492-6299
admin.pdms@shaw.ca
Vancouver Island
Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society
114 - 285 Prideaux St.
Nanaimo, BC V9R 2N2
Also delivers in Duncan, Ladysmith, Parksville and Qualicum
Contact: Pedro Oliviera
Phone: (250) 753-6911
skillsconnect@cvims.org
Creative Employment Access Society
103 - 555 Fourth Street
Courtenay, BC V9N 1H3
Contact: Renee Friedman
Phone: (250) 334-3119
renee@thejopshop.ca
North Island Employment Foundations Society
870C 13th Ave.
Campbell River, BC V9W 4H2
Also delivers in Courtney
Contact: Paula Mojack
Phone: (250) 286-3441
paula.mojak@niefs.net
Steele O'Neil and Associates, Inc.
4805B Mar Street
Port Alberni, BC V9Y 8J5
Also delivers in Tofino and Ucluelet
Contact: Kendall Currie
Phone: (250) 724-4560
Toll Free: 1-888-454-4560
Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society
Third Floor, 637 Bay Street
Victoria, BC V8T 5L2
Contact: Annie Shum
Phone: (250) 361-9433 ext. 218
skillsconnect@vircs.bc.ca
Employers
Endorsed by Employers
ASPECT consulted with employers to design its Skills Connect for immigrants program. Employers highly value immigrant employees because they posess the following qualities:
- Have a strong work ethic
- Are highly motivated
- Are highly skilled and experienced
- Are ready to make a contribution to life in Canada
- Have the ability to learn quickly
If you are an employer, interested in hiring immigrants with these qualities, contact the Service Deliverers throughout BC or call: Barbara West at 1-888-287-4957 ext. 230 or (250) 382-9675 ext. 230
Supporters
Skills Connect has a Subject Expert Advisory Committee who contributed their expertise to the design of the program and provide on-going advice.
Members include:
Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC
Gillian Pichler
www.apeg.bc.ca
BC Construction Assoc
F. Abigail Fulton
www.bccassn.com
BC Construction Industry Skills Improvement Council - SkillPlan
Linda Fownes
www.skillplan.ca
BC Hydro
Raj Sharma
www.bchydro.com
BC Trucking Association
Sandra Azanchi
www.bctrucking.com
emerit Products and Certification (Go2 - Tourism Training)
Linda Halingten
www.go2hr.ca
Enform - Petroleum Industry Training Agency
Carolyn Golightly and Bob Wingfield
www.enform.ca
Industry Training Authority
Lisa Dooling
www.itabc.ca
SITE BC - Society of Internationally Trained Engineers
Brian Amouzegar
www.sitebc.ca
T.R.A.D.E.S.
Drinda Tiveron
www.tradesbc.org
UFCW Local 247 Training and Education Society
Shirley Caldwell
www.transferableskills.ca
