Ottawa Invests $1.2-Million To Help Immigrants Settle Into Saint John Workforce
SAINT JOHN – The federal government is investing $1.2-million to help new immigrants integrate into Canadian society and workplaces, Saint John MP Wayne Long announced at the YMCA in Saint John Wednesday.
Shilo Boucher, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Saint John, said the funds will enhance already successful settlement services programming operated by the organization.
“We are excited to put our homegrown employment language solutions to the test with this project,” said Boucher in a release. “We have seen tremendous outcomes over the past three years, with more than 100 newcomers securing gainful employment in their field of interest. “This funding will help us evaluate and improve the customized language supports we provide clients and also equip employers to ease their transition in the Canadian workplace.”
This new project will improve employer engagement to better address workforce challenges. It will also determine which type of language training best meets the needs of newcomers and is most helpful for finding a job.
The YMCA of Greater Saint John delivers a traditional Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada English language training program. It also offers a program that focuses on specific employment sectors and provides newcomers with the opportunity to develop their language skills while they prepare for a job in sectors such as hospitality, childcare, finance and accounting, wood manufacturing, and retail and sales.
“Thanks to the dedication of local service providers like the YMCA of Greater Saint John, this project and others like it will improve our understanding of newcomer needs and support their successful integration into Canadian communities,” said Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John-Rothesay.