Settlement, integration and language projects grants

Career Transition Program for International Medical Graduates

Awarded to: Alberta International Medical Graduates Association (serves Edmonton, Calgary, and area around both urban settings)

The Career Transition Program targets International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who are seeking an alternative career in various medical fields. Eligible candidates will be those IMGs who are Canadian Citizens but are unemployed or underemployed, and unable to access services funded through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. The training is flexible and set up as hybrid over 12 weeks. Learners have a choice to train in person and online. The goal of this initiative is to increase IMGs overall knowledge and awareness of career pathways and workplace engagement within Alberta’s healthcare sector; Upon completion the IMGs will be equipped with the skills required for successful workplace integration.

Putting strengths to work: Job readiness training for newcomers in Alberta

Awarded to: Bow Valley College (serves Calgary and area)

This training project’s goal is to empower immigrants to identify their strengths so they can apply them in Alberta’s workforce. This hybrid initiative focuses on workplace language, intercultural communication skills, workplace readiness, career and goal planning, and connection to wrap around supports. Participants will learn about the current and predicted labour market in Alberta and understand how their skills align with it so they can make informed career choices and set realistic employment goals.

Brooks Newell Region – Newcomer Integration Program

Awarded to: City of Brooks (serving newcomers in Brooks and the surrounding areas)

The goal of this project is to attract skilled workers and their families to the region to fill in labour gaps. It also aims to retain and grow a skilled workforce that will stay in the region for years to come. To achieve these goals, the Brooks Newell Region endorses foreign skilled workers to be accepted for permanent resident status under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program. It also works with the City of Brooks and the County Immigration Services to develop integration and support programs that will result in the successful immigration of approved workers and their families. In addition, it works with employers to implement strategies to build inclusive and welcoming work environments.

The City of Grande Prairie Inclusive and Caring Community Initiative (GPICC)

Awarded to: City of Grande Prairie (Serving newcomers in Grande Prairie and Surrounding areas)

The City of Grande Prairies has partnered with the Grande Prairie Local Immigration (GPLIP) to implement this project. With this project, the City of Grande Prairie aims to advance an inclusive and caring community: a community that includes all people and serves all people. This initiative is a strategic priority of the City Council. By creating a welcoming community, newcomers settling there can improve the social and cultural fabric of smaller communities, make contributions to the local economy, and become cornerstones to their town’s long-term prosperity, competitiveness, and growth. This project requires a collective effort to address the needs of newcomers like social inclusion, employment, and labour market integration; feeling welcomed; overcoming language and technology barriers; finding safe and suitable temporary housing or affordable housing; finding spiritual and cultural communities. Building community capacity means working with organizations to integrate inclusive policies and practices, encourage community organizations to fill gaps, and facilitate collaboration and cooperation to tackle systemic barriers.

Rural Renewal Community Preparedness and Implementation Project

Awarded to: City of Medicine Hat (Serving newcomers in Medicine Hat and surrounding areas)

The goal of the Rural Renewal Community Engagement and Implementation Project is to attract skilled talent to the region to fuel economic growth by increasing employer and community capacity to support newcomer retention with a more welcoming and inclusive community approach. Utilizing a ‘whole society’ approach to settlement, integration and community readiness, the city of Medicine Hat will build collaborative partnerships to deliver a series of community capacity-building activities to support the launch of a regional Rural Renewal Stream. The project aims to retain newcomers in the community for the long term. It also requires that support must be integrated into every stage of economic immigration, which makes this project unique. The key to newcomer retention and sense of belonging is dependent on the early intervention with employers; before a job offer is made, rather than after the offer has been accepted.

Career Supports for Newcomers STEM Professionals

Awarded to: Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) (serving newcomers in Calgary and surrounding areas)

The Career Supports for Newcomers STEM Professionals initiative supports the integration of foreign-trained STEM professionals into Alberta’s Energy Sector. The project will deliver full-time workshops to that provide an overview of Alberta’s changing energy ecosystem and career mapping support, as well as the necessary job search skills, socioemotional skills, and intercultural competencies to successfully secure and retain professional employment. Following the training, learners will receive direct, mentor-supported job placements in their chosen occupations and subsectors within the Energy Industry.

Afghan and Vulnerable Women's Resiliency Project

Awarded to: Centre for Newcomers (Serving newcomers in Calgary and the Surrounding areas)

The Afghan and Vulnerable Women’s Resiliency project aims to assist vulnerable women so that they may learn English and gain Canadian labour market experiences while reducing their isolation and overcome barriers to becoming active and contributing members of the local economy. The project will assist women to learn English within meaningful contexts where they may practice speaking and exchange vital information. Training will prepare them to become career or job ready. Learners will be supported to create individual resiliency to enhance their well-being while facing new settlement and integration challenges. Through carefully crafted civic activities and ongoing engagement women will develop skills to understand their new environment, to integrate better and to enjoy being an active citizen in the community.

Hospitality Training for Immigrant women

Awarded to: Calgary Immigrant Women's Association (Serving immigrant women in Calgary and area)

The Hospitality Training for Immigrant women initiative aims to train 60 immigrant women to provide them with the knowledge and skills to be gainfully employed in the hospitality and tourism industry. The training is co-developed with SAIT and supported by other industry leaders. It includes 8 weeks of occupational specific training on the fundamentals of event coordination and hospitality related management as well as 4 weeks of work placement and weekly job coaching supports. This initiative will be delivered in person and upon completing women will have the opportunity to land employment with such employers like Delta Hotels by Marriott, Hyatt Regency Hotels, Sandman Hotel and many more.

Intercultural awareness, diversity, and inclusion training for Alberta's employers

Awarded to: Catholic Social Services (serving newcomers in Edmonton and areas, that is, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove etc.)

The Intercultural Awareness, Diversity, and Inclusion Training for Alberta's Employers initiative aims to offer training in intercultural awareness, diversity and inclusion to staff of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Edmonton and surrounding areas as well as in small urban centres in Northern Alberta. The project will fully support small or medium sized businesses that have newcomer workforce and/or consider hiring more newcomers to help them fill the projected labour shortage gap, but who lack the capacity, expertise and resources in such area like diversity and inclusion, equity, and how to successfully manage and retain diverse workforce. Training will be tailored to each employer unique needs and gaps and rolled out directly to staff through presentations and workshops sessions. The initiative will also follow up with the employers at 3- and 6-month mark to determine whether the teachings are fully integrated into the employer’s operations.

English as an Additional Language Project

Awarded to: Calgary Women Social Protection Association (serving Afghan Women in Calgary and area)

The English as an Additional Language Project is an initiative that aims to create conversation circles and informal language training for Afghan women, targeting those who are not qualified for LINC classes and have no resources to learn English.

This project will assist vulnerable Afghan women so that they may learn English in an informal way and gain Canadian labour market experiences while reducing their isolation and overcome barriers to becoming active and contributing members of the local economy.

Foundational Pathway for Newcomers: English Language Training and Administrative Assistant Skill Development

Awarded to: Grant MacEwan University (Serving Newcomers in Edmonton and the surrounding areas)

The Foundational Pathway for Newcomers: English Language Training and Administrative Assistant Skill Development initiative is a part-time course that aims to remove barriers to employment and education that newcomers face. To achieve this gaol Grand McEwan University will provide a combination of skill development and English for Special Purposes language training. This initiative will provide the students with a foundational pathway to further their education so they can seek employment in the professional administration field. This training is specifically designed for Newcomers to Canada who would like to obtain either one year Office Assistant certificate or a 2-year diploma in the administrative field.

Opening New Employment Pathways to the Trades and Associated Professions in Alberta

Awarded to: Lethbridge College (Serving newcomers in Lethbridge and the surrounding areas).

Opening New Employment Pathways to the Trades and associated professions in Alberta initiative is a full-time 7-week blended program that will help newcomers interested in entering Trades improve their job readiness skills and language instruction as well as workplace and intercultural communication. Participants will learn about the current and predicted labour market in Alberta and understand how their skills align with it so they can make informed career choices and set realistic goals. This training's objective is to empower immigrants to identify their strengths so they can apply them in Alberta’s workforce.

First Steps to Integration: Language, Culture, and Employment Supports for Newcomers and their Workplaces

Awarded to: The Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative Ltd (serving newcomers in Edmonton and the surrounding areas)

This Edmonton-based program initiative is a 16-week, 20 hrs/week program aims to increase the ability of newcomers with low language skills and complex barriers to employment to find employment through knowledge and skill building by increasing the intercultural understanding of workplaces. The project is delivered on site at the workplace of an employer-partner. The goal of this blended delivery model which will serve 30 newcomers per a year is to the focus on English language development specific to the hospitality sector and includes: industry-specific language; skills for success; workplace culture; job search skills; digital literacy; and self-awareness. Additional features include a Culture/Career Coach, and a workplace practicum. Job skills training is co-facilitated by the EAL instructor and a workplace trainer creating a unique platform for intercultural exchange and learning. The program intentionally aims to ‘broker’ the relationship between newcomers who are eager to work and those who wish to hire them-by strengthening capacity in both.

Celebrating Newcomer Contributions

Awarded to: Municipality of Jasper (Serving newcomers in the Municipal District of Jasper and the Surrounding areas)

Celebrating Newcomer Contributions initiative will foster newcomers’ integration into Jasper and introduce concepts of a welcoming and inclusive community where newcomers are integrated members of the workforce and community. To achieve these goals, the Municipality of Jasper will conduct comprehensive research on the contributions of newcomers in Jasper and use the resulting data to help employers understand their role in newcomer settlement. The initiative will further engage newcomers in the design and development of community services and elevate the profile of newcomer experiences (including challenges and successes) with the overarching goal of emphasizing the critical role that newcomers play in Jasper’s economic and social landscape.

Childcare Worker Program

Awarded to: Solomon College (Serving newcomers in Edmonton and the surrounding areas).

The Childcare Worker program initiative is a full-time program delivered in Edmonton using a blended delivery model and direct field experience. Participants will learn workplace essential skills, occupation-specific language, workplace safety (WHMIS, first aid, food safety), and gain field experience by practicing their newly developed skills in daycare settings. Its delivery method will combine lectures, group discussion, hands-on practical experience, video presentations, career counselling, field trips and guest speakers to facilitate learning. The goal is to increase participants' knowledge and skills in preparation for Childcare Level 1 Worker certification through Alberta Children's Services, Early Childhood Development Branch.

Strathmore Welcoming Initiative

Awarded to: Town of Strathmore (Serving newcomers in Strathmore and the Surrounding areas)

The Strathmore Welcoming Initiative aims to support employers, organizations and community members in welcoming, settling and retaining newcomers in the Strathmore region. The implementation of this initiative includes the facilitation of a community driven initiative to build community capacity that will enable them to welcome, integrate and retain newcomers. To achieve these goals, the Town of Strathmore will develop a sustainable newcomer resource hub; specialized diversity and inclusion training; resources to aid integration; community connection programming; cultural events; and a community awareness campaign. The project will build sustainable capacity to welcome and settle newcomers through a community-led process.

Taber Immigration Program

Awarded to: Town of Taber (Serving newcomers in the Municipal District of Taber and the Surrounding areas)

As a designated community for the AAIP Rural Renewal and Rural Entrepreneurship Streams, Taber Immigration Program initiative aims to support the implementation of the AAIP rural renewal project in Taber. Its activities will include the development and implementation of a welcoming community initiative, supporting employers in welcoming newcomers and providing ongoing support. The Town of Taber will also work with community organisations to ensure settlement services are provided, that newcomers and their families are able to find meaningful ways to connect to the community.

Welcoming Claresholm

Awarded to: Town of Claresholm (serving newcomers in the town of Claresholm and the surrounding areas).

The Welcoming Claresholm project is a compliment to the 2020-2022 Community Takes Roots previous project through which a new Welcome Centre in the heart of downtown Claresholm was established. With the establishment of the Welcome Centre, the Welcoming Claresholm initiative will connect newcomers with the existing programs and services they need. Its activities will emphasize mainly on connecting newcomers to job opportunities and skills upgrading. This project will also produce high-quality meaningful content to improve accessibility of settlement information, build Claresholm’s receptive capacity, and create a historical record of the project and the people involved. This project will also provide support to the Welcoming Claresholm Committee and will engage in workplace integration. It will aim at combating racism and improve the frequency and quality of data collected on the above issue.

Support Networks for Rural Newcomers to Alberta

Awarded to: Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies

This project aims to improve efficiency in the settlement, language and integration system in rural areas that lack formal settlement programming in Alberta. This will be done through the creation of a coordinated and mutually supportive network of municipalities and established AAISA capacity supporting techniques. The project is designed to improve the capacity of Alberta's rural municipalities to support newcomers by conducting a thorough needs and asset assessment of these municipalities. Following this examination, AAISA will begin the process of leveraging practices, policies, and programs that are assets to one community to address the needs of another. AAISA will provide tools, resources, training sessions, and virtual service delivery platforms to the municipalities.

The Knowledge Hub

Awarded to: Immigrant Services Calgary Society (ISC)

The Knowledge Hub is a novel concept that seeks to achieve integration of academic institutions into Service Provider Organizations. Through collaboration and data collection, the Knowledge Hub will have the ability to anonymize, aggregate and translate data into knowledge through dashboards, professional papers, and reports to the community. The Knowledge Hub will promote knowledge sharing and feedback loops to influence policy and service provision. The power of aggregated and anonymized newcomer data and trends offers immense potential for significant service improvements to improve the settlement and integration process for newcomers.

Opening New Pathways to Digital Skills: A Bridge for Newcomers

Awarded to: Bow Valley College

This project responds to industry needs for technically skilled newcomers to gain necessary Canadian workplace experience and skills. It will be offered in a blended learning model of in-person and online training involving course work, a work placement, career preparation and counselling. This project will benefit two cohorts of up to 20 newcomers each. The training focuses on professional and adaptive skills that build on existing digital skills to foster rapport-building, communication, and the professional skills required for service desk technicians. This project will aid newcomers in leveraging their technical skills to respond to local need and workplace expectations.

Safe Choices, Safe Workplaces: Communication Training for Alberta’s Health Care Aide Workers

Awarded to: Bow Valley College

Building on the provincial government's Health Care Aide curriculum, this module provides in-program health care aide students with additional training in response to current job demands. The goals are to ensure the safety of all stakeholders and increase the employability of graduates and the subsequent employee retention of health care aides. The project provides training to two cohorts of 27 newcomers each.

Pathways to Employment - Employability Skills Training for Newcomers

Awarded to: Calgary Catholic Immigration Society

This project is designed to support the labour market integration of newcomers, with CLB levels 3-5, who are facing multiple barriers to employment in one of the program’s three targeted industries: food processing, supply chain or healthcare. The project will deliver six full-time cohorts for a total of 72 participants. Workshop topics will include life skills, employment skills, job search skills, workplace intelligence, workplace safety training and intercultural competencies. Through this project, high-needs newcomers will gain the skills, tools and connections they need to not only secure but retain employment in positions and industries where they can build their skills and grow long-term careers.

Customer Service CARES

Awarded to: Centre for Newcomers Society of Calgary

The Customer Service CARES (CSC) aims at supporting 60 vulnerable unemployed newcomers to develop language skills towards a successful career in retail.  The CSC participants will attend a 3-week series (75 hours) of intensive group language enhancement classes focused primarily on listening and speaking skills in customer service industry and will participate in an unpaid work experience or job shadowing for up to a week (25 hours). Job search skills and technology skill enhancement will also be a component of the program to help the participants improve their workforce connection.

Caregiver Companion Training Project

Awarded to: Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association

This training program aims to support 60 immigrant women to find employment work as supportive caregiver companions. The project will enhance their knowledge and skills in the areas of: First Aid and CPR Level C; WHIMS; Basic Food Safety; dementia care; effective communication and supportive listening; relationship building; leisure activities for seniors and individuals with disabilities; abuse prevention; harm reduction; infection prevention and control; and other relevant Canadian workplace skills. The project offers five intakes with a blended learning model of in-person and online classroom training, work experience, job search and coaching support.

Enhanced Industrial Cleaning Training for Newcomers

Awarded to: Keyano College

Keyano College’s Enhanced Industrial Cleaning Training for Newcomers will be an eight-week training program in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. The project will provide unemployed and under-employed newcomers who have a minimum CLB Level of 5 with: enhanced language and communication skills; occupational industrial cleaning knowledge and training; essential skill training in customer service; computer fundamentals and employment search capabilities; required safety certificates; and, employment supports that will connect them with employment opportunities to enter the workforce.

First Steps to Integration: Language, Culture, and Employment Supports for Newcomers and their Workplaces

Awarded to: Multicultural Health Brokers Co-operative Ltd.

This Edmonton-based program is a 12-week training program to increase the ability of newcomers with low language skills (

Supply Chain Management for Newcomers

Awarded to: NorQuest College

This project offers a pathway to 40 newcomers to a career in Supply Chain Management. This program is full-time and will be delivered online with an average of 25 hours of learning per week. It has several components that encompass technical, intercultural, and language skills development for students that are in stage 2 of their language training. The program includes an unpaid work placement for students, as well as diversity and inclusion training for employers. Supply Chain, Canada supports this project by providing a supply chain expert to co-teach the program with an English as an Additional Language instructor.  It will also provide students with recognition in the field by offering a Diploma in Supply Management Training to students, upon successful completion.

Administrative Support for a Digital Alberta

Awarded to: The Immigrant Education Society

Administrative Support for a Digital Alberta (ASDA) is a 14-week administrative professional training program for permanent residents, refugees, and naturalized Canadian citizens with an emphasis on technological proficiency and soft skills for the Canadian workplace. ASDA will be offered in a fully online format through 3 intakes, preparing over 60 participants for Alberta's workforce. Two 3-hour classes will be held each week for the duration of each intake, covering three main topics: Digital Skills for Administrative Professionals, Workplace Soft Skills, and Job Search Preparation. An 80-hour volunteer work placement follows the completion of the module-based materials, providing participants with Canadian work experience.

Immigrant Coding Online for Development in Employment

Awarded to: The Immigrant Education Society

The Immigrant Coding Online for Development in Employment (iCODE) program will prepare technically educated newcomers for a career in programming and software coding. The part-time program consists of IT workplace language and coding provided by industry partner, comIT. In addition to in-class training, a three-month practicum placement will be at a related industry workplace. The program aims to enrol 96 participants over 2 years and find employment opportunities for iCODE learners right after the training finish.

Alberta Registered Nurses Assessment Program Preparation (ARNAP Prep)

Awarded to: Bredin Centre for Learning

Assist 60 Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) with Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 6 who are required to challenge the Alberta Registered Nurses Assessment Program (ARNAP) through the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA). Project includes training on a Mock Multiple-choice exam replicating the structure and format of the ARNAP exam. Part-time instructor-led classes delivered on a rotating schedule will include 16 modules of content to support 4 Mock OSCEs (objective structured clinical examinations) that replicate the experience and process of the real examination.

Best Practices for Adult ESL and LINC Programming in Alberta

Awarded to: Association of Alberta Teachers of English as a Second Language (ATESL)

Review and update the Best Practice Guidelines for Adult ESL/LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) Programming in Alberta. Originally developed in 1994 by ATESL, updates are required in the areas of program implementation, learner support, curriculum, and instruction, among others and include topics of LGBTQ2S+, indigenization of ESL classrooms, learners with disabilities, learning issues related to trauma and learners in non-traditional classrooms such as those living and working in rural Alberta.

Building System Integration

Awarded to: Alberta Workforce Essential Skills Society (AWES)

A collaboration between AWES and NorQuest's Institute for Inclusive Leadership, this innovative project explores the integration of Essential Skills and Intercultural Competence frameworks and aims to create one comprehensive, integrated package of resources to support successful integration of newcomers into the Canadian workplace. Existing successful resources from both partners will be supplemented with new materials and combined into one easily accessible resource package. The project will also explore the benefits of breaking down the disciplinary silos and sharing resources and networks.

Conflict Resolution Across Culture

Awarded to: Bow Valley College

Develop a 'short course' micro-credential on intercultural conflict resolution and pilot it with 18 newcomers in rural (Banff/Canmore/High River) and 22 newcomers in urban (Calgary) settings. It will be offered as a part-time, 50 hour, blended course offered over 3 months. Course development will be informed by employers in rural Alberta. The micro-credential will be a shareable endorsement of an achieved skill having labour market value thus supporting newcomer labour market integration.

Diversity: An Employer Advantage

Awarded to: Being Human Services

Develop and deliver diversity and inclusion training to 50 employers in Medicine Hat and area at roundtable sessions. Monthly follow-up will include 1 to 1 support at work sites; develop and continuously update a registry of resources that will be distributed to employers and available online.

ESL First Aid Foundational Knowledge

Awarded to: Brooks Community Adult Learning Council (BCALC)

Develop a preparation course pre-teaching First Aid content and vocabulary to prepare ESL clients with minimum CLB 3 to take the 2-day Standard First Aid course and, working with First Aid trainers, revise the First Aid course presentation to utilize augmented visual aids, hands-on first aid props, improved practical exercises, adjusted power-point information and a verbal examination protocol for ESL Learners. Once lessons and the program are developed, a pilot group of 6 to 8 ESL learners will complete the program to determine its suitability for ESL clients.

Facilitating Pathways to Health Care Aide for Newcomers in Rural Alberta

Awarded to: NorQuest College

Increase access to the Health Care Aide Workplace (HCAW) program for newcomers with CLB 6 by updating the preparatory program to meet the new HCA curriculum requirements and pilot with a minimum of 20 participants across rural Alberta. Includes training for taking online courses and assessment.

Key Workplace Essential Skills Training (KWEST)

Awarded to: Solomon College

Develop and deliver a 12-week, full-time, training program to 8 cohorts of 10 newcomers with minimum CLB 4 who are multi-barriered and face educational, English communication, and workplace skills deficits to develop skills for the warehousing industry. Learners will complete 8 weeks of in-class training focusing on workplace essential skills with a strong focus on digital literacy, occupation-specific language, workplace safety certificates (WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System), Forklift operation, and First Aid), and employment readiness. The remaining 4 weeks will be spent supporting learners to find employment in Edmonton within the warehouse sector.

Making Anything Possible with Perseverance and Drive (MAPPeD)

Awarded to: Centre d'Accueil pour Nouveaux Arrivants Francophones (CANAF)

Provide a full-time and part-time employment support program for up to 256 Francophone young adults between the ages of 18 to 34 with CLB 4+. Five 4-month full-time semesters and 3 8-month part-time semesters will be delivered. Programming will include ESL, employment and life skills training and support participants to make short-term employment goals to accomplish during the program as well as set long-term career and academic goals.

Ready to Launch: Language and Entrepreneurship Training for Newcomers

Awarded to: Grande Prairie Council for Lifelong Learning

Develop curriculum and offer a language and entrepreneurship training for newcomers with CLB 5 and above. Part-time, in-class training, including mentorship opportunities will provide participants with knowledge and skills to help them get ready to launch their businesses. Two cohorts, targeting between 15 to 20 newcomers will be delivered.

Settling into Success

Awarded to: Learning Centre Literacy Association, The

Part-time in-class programming and one-to-one services over 10 weeks to assist 3 cohorts of 10 newcomers in greater-Edmonton succeed in their employment journey. With ESL training embedded, the program will develop participants' knowledge of Canadian work culture and provide tools for successful employment integration. Social and volunteer opportunities will provide participants opportunity to build their personal and professional networks.

Supports to Employment

Awarded to: Catholic Social Services – Red Deer

Develop and deliver in-person part-time training (4 hours per day) over a 10-week period at for 5 cohorts of 8 to 10 newcomers with CLB 3. Participants will be provided with a detailed career assessment; individualized career and education plan; essential skills, Canadian workplace culture, and intercultural communication training; tools and strategies to manage emotions through the job search experience; and ongoing individual and group-based job search support for up to 6 months after the completion of the 10-week sessions.

Taber Capacity and Receptivity Improvement

Awarded to: Taber and District Community Adult Learning Association

Improving the capacity of service providers and the receptivity of the community through education and cultivating understanding. Five activities include: a comprehensive settlement needs survey, 5 community information sessions, one Multicultural Education Evening for providers, “Culture Corners,” and Life Story Exhibits.

The Second Home Project

Awarded to: Bow Valley Learning Council

Building on and connecting to existing 2019 to 2023 Bow Valley Integration Strategy activities, the project provides for a Learning Navigator position to work with newcomers and employers in the hospitality sector and to facilitate relationships with service providers to better meet the learning needs of newcomer employees. A part-time (6 hours per week) 12-week Language classes will also be piloted and delivered 3 times per year in Banff and in Lake Louise. Curriculum will be based in part on the Alberta Workforce Essential Skills’ Work Faster, Work Safer program, but will be tailored to meet the needs of learners in the Bow Valley.

Welcoming Claresholm

Awarded to: CCIS – Foothills Community Immigrant Services

Specialized training to approximately 15 employers, 10 service providers/schools and 20 volunteers so that stakeholders in the region build their long-term capacity to welcome and serve newcomers and that the entire community is invested and engaged in the settlement and integration process. A Welcoming Claresholm Advisory Committee will facilitate a collaborative, coordinated and holistic approach to supporting newcomer settlement and retention in the Claresholm area.

Workplace ESL for Low Literacy Newcomers

Awarded to: Central Alberta Refugee Effort (CARE)

Develop and deliver part-time ESL workplace training for 3 cohorts of 10 newcomers, CLB 2 to 4, with literacy gaps. Trauma-informed literacy-focused language training will cover a range of topics related to the Canadian workforce while referencing the 9 Essential Skills as specified by the Canadian Government. Each 268-hour program will include classroom instruction, one-on-one coaching, mentoring, and real-world application tasks.

Alberta Newcomers: How-To & Smart Tips Video Series

Awarded to: Immigrant Services Calgary

Development of a series of multi-lingual, scenario-based videos as well as a new, interactive online platform that serves as a centralized base for coordinated dissemination of trustworthy settlement videos. The goal is to increase accessibility to settlement information. (Innovation)

Career Transitions Program for IMGs

Awarded to: Alberta International Medical Graduates Association

Part-time classroom training over 12 weeks consisting of 10 one-day workshops, a 100-hour work placement/mentorship, and up to 6 individual coaching sessions for 50 International Medical Graduates seeking an alternative career. Plus delivery of three workshops on bridging cultural diversity in the workplace for employers. The goal is to help participants transition from a position of underemployment to a position where their skills and knowledge are utilized.

Childcare Training for Low Literacy Immigrant Women

Awarded to: Calgary Immigrant Women's Association

Full-time classroom training for 36 weeks and mentored work experience for 8 weeks provided to two cohorts of 15 immigrant women in Calgary leading to their Child Development Assistant certification. Follow-up support in job placement and job retention is provided, if needed. The goal is for participants to be employed by the end of program.

Digitizing Workplace Resources

Awarded to: Alberta Workforce Essential Skills Society

Consolidation and digitization of several AWES essential skills and workplace culture resources into interactive, self-directed, gamified training modules at CLB 3-5 that are accessible via a variety of digital devices (i.e. smartphone, tablet, computer). The goal is to increase accessibility to training that improves labour market attachment for newcomers. (Innovation)

Employability Skills Enhancement for Newcomers

Awarded to: Calgary Catholic Immigration Society

Full-time classroom training for 5 cohorts of 15 newcomers consisting of 6 weeks of general employability skills training, 2 weeks of sector-specific training (hospitality, manufacturing, health care or agriculture), and 2 weeks of a mentor-supported work exposure in Calgary and surrounding areas. The goal is for participants to be employed by the end of the program.

Enhancing Workplace Safety and Equity through Newcomer Youth-Employer Collaboration

Awarded to: Bow Valley College

Research, co-creation, piloting and evaluation of a set of scalable teaching methods and online learning resources relating to workplace safety and equity for young English language learner (ELL) employees, employers, and ELL instructors.  The goal is to increase access to training and resources that help improve labour market integration outcomes for newcomer youth, who are also ELLs. (Innovation)

Equipping and Advancing a Culturally Diverse Workforce

Awarded to: Anthony & Holmes Consulting Ltd

Research, design, development and piloting of a part-time blended leadership development program that includes coaching and a practicum with 3 cohorts of 15-20 newcomer staff as well as a parallel program for 3 cohorts of 15-20 current leaders to equip them to support newcomer advancement in the disability services sector. Plus updating and revision of a mandatory online course for the disability services sector with plain language and ESL learning strategies piloted with 75 learners. The goal is to identify barriers to and strategies that facilitate diversity and inclusion in succession planning and to make the online course more accessible to newcomers. (Innovation)

Family Wellness and Community Enhancement Project

Awarded to: Catholic Social Services

Provides holistic and client-centred supports for individuals and families in Edmonton and Red Deer who have recently reunited after a prolonged separation through the development of a Family Wellness Plan involving individual, family and group sessions. The goal is that participants achieve healthy family relationships.

First Steps to Integration: Language, Culture, and Employment Supports for Newcomers and their Workplaces

Awarded to: Multicultural Health Brokers Co-operative Ltd.

Part-time classroom training consisting of 12 weeks of language instruction and industry-specific job skills offered on-site with hospitality industry partners for 4 cohorts of 10 newcomers with low language skills and complex barriers to work readiness.  Ongoing support from a Culture/Career Coach is provided. The goal is for participants to be employed at the end of the program and to articulate strategies to promote welcoming workplaces through relationship-based intercultural engagement. (Innovation)

Immigrant Access Counseling

Awarded to: The Immigrant Educational Society

Development, piloting and evaluation of a model for online delivery of settlement services (needs assessments; information and referrals; supportive counseling) to newcomers who are not eligible for federally funded services in Calgary and area. The goal is to identify promising practices for an online delivery strategy that will increase accessibility to settlement services. ​(Innovation)

LGBTQ+ Welcoming Centres Project

Awarded to: Centre for Newcomers

Part-time classroom-based professional development workshops, seminars and small group training to 60 service provider organizations across Alberta on how to effectively address LGBTQ+ newcomer issues and to use best practices to welcome LGBTQ+ people into their services.  The goal is for organizations to complete training, conduct a scan and develop an ongoing improvement plan to be certified as a welcoming place for LGBTQ+ newcomers.

Municipal Integration Project

Awarded to: Town of Banff

Adaptation of the municipality's service delivery model into a ‘single front door’ approach to services and programs; development of new plain language community orientation resources; establishment of outreach services through multilingual Community Champions; and promotion and evaluation. The goal is to transition the municipality into a more active and sustaining role in settlement and integration in the Banff region.

Newcomer Settlement and Integration Supports

Awarded to: Grande Prairie Centre for Newcomers

Provides settlement services (needs assessments; orientations; information and referrals; translation and interpretation; supportive counseling) to newcomers who are not eligible for federally funded services in Grand Prairie and surrounding communities.

Professional Development for Alberta's Settlement and Integration Sector

Awarded to: Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies

Facilitation of stakeholder engagement to identify gaps, issues, and emerging trends in provincial settlement needs and promotion of collaborative responses.  Plus, delivery of part-time (1-2 day) classroom-based professional development courses and development of self-paced online versions for service providers across the province on 4 topics identified by membership. The goal is to advance service delivery for newcomers in Alberta.

Providing Pathways

Awarded to: Edson and District Community Learning Society

Provides settlement services (needs assessments; orientations; information and referrals; translation and interpretation; supportive counseling) to newcomers who are not eligible for federally funded services in Edson and surrounding communities.

Services d'établissement francophones pour les Canadiens naturalisés et les résidents temporaires

Awarded to: Accès Emploi Alberta

Provides settlement services in French (needs assessments; orientations; information and referrals; translation and interpretation; supportive counseling) to newcomers who are not eligible for federally funded services in Edmonton, Fort McMurray and surrounding communities.

Supply Chain Preparation and Training for Newcomers

Awarded to: NorQuest College

(Partner: Supply Chain Management Association of Alberta) Full-time classroom training for 4 months plus 150-hour work placement that provides 30 newcomers at CLB 5/6 in Edmonton with intercultural, language, and technical skills aligned to the Supply Management Training national outcomes. The goal is for participants to be labour market ready and to establish a pathway for newcomers to a career in Supply Chain. (Innovation)

Supporting Emerging Entrepreneurial Decisions (SEED) for newcomer women

Awarded to: Bow Valley College

(Partners: Start-Up Calgary, CIWA, Chiu School of Business) Research, design, and development of a 40-hour part-time blended course employing experiential learning piloted with 20 newcomer women emerging entrepreneurs at CLB 6/7 in Calgary. The goal is to identify language and intercultural competencies required for emerging entrepreneurs, support entrepreneurial thinking and action, and empower newcomer women to bridge to existing supports and programs that will help them to create their own businesses. (Innovation)

Supports for Newcomer Integration

Awarded to: Lethbridge Family Services

Provides settlement services (needs assessments; orientations; information and referrals; translation and interpretation; supportive counseling) to newcomers who are not eligible for federally funded services in Lethbridge and surrounding communities.

The Language of Inclusion: Diversity and Inclusion Materials for the ESL Classroom

Awarded to: NorQuest College

Development of 4 integrated skills modules targeting low to intermediate English language learners on the topic of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Addresses the need in Alberta for more ESL teaching and learning resources on this topic. Understanding Newcomer Experiences of Inclusion

Understanding Newcomer Experiences of Inclusion

Awarded to: Centre for Race and Culture

This research project uses mixed methods to examine the correlation of Personal Wellbeing and other aspects of individual lived experiences related to diversity and inclusion with a range of geographic as well as social, economic and other demographic variables. The goal is to contribute to better understandings of newcomers’ needs so that promising practices and initiatives can be identified, strengthened and promoted.

Workplace Integration for Newcomers

Awarded to: Being Human Services

Part-time classroom and one-on-one training over 16 weeks providing employment readiness training with a language focus for 50 newcomers at CLB 3-5 in Medicine Hat and area. The goal is to help newcomers to connect to workplaces and ultimately help them secure employment.

Working Faster, Working Safer: Language, Essential Skills and Intercultural Communication for CLB 1-2

Awarded to: Alberta Workforce Essential Skills Society

This project provided orientation and training for language instructors by piloting the newly developed materials for low level Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) learners.

Post-TESL Professional Development

Awarded to: Bow Valley College

This project provided direct support for English as a Second Language (ESL) instructors in the form of specialized professional development to help increase the skills and abilities of ESL service providers across the province in supporting the successful settlement and integration of newcomers to Alberta.

Foundations in Agricultural-based industry – for Refugees and other Migrants (FARM) in Alberta

Awarded: Calgary Immigrant Educational Society

This program focused on preparing Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4–5 newcomers with an agriculture background for employment in agricultural-related commercial industries, such as horticulture and landscaping.

Workplace Online Retention Class (WORC)

Awarded to: Calgary Immigrant Educational Society

This project provided a blended online course where participants could improve language proficiency (listening, speaking, reading and writing) while focusing on intercultural competency, workplace culture, job-specific language and essential skills.

Communicative Workplace English

Awarded to: Grande Prairie Council for Lifelong Learning Society

This program focused on supporting newcomers who are either employed in the service industry and are seeking advancement or are unemployed and seeking employment in the service industry.

First Steps to Employment

Awarded to: Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative

This project provided immigrants and refugees with language and cultural supports and skills needed to access and retain a job in the hospitality industry.

Childcare Training for Low Literacy Immigrant Women

Awarded to: Calgary Immigrant Women's Association

This project focused on occupational skills training for immigrant and refugee women with limited education and language skills. Successful participants earned Childcare Development Assistant certification.

Workplace Communication for Rural Immigrants

Awarded to: Bow Valley College

This mentoring program assisted newcomers living in rural southern Alberta. Participants accessed online learning materials on workplace communication, soft skills, details and explanations on Canadian workplace norms, plus employer expectations.

Essential Skills Enhancement for Refugees Program

Awarded to: Calgary Catholic Immigration Society

This program provided refugee clients with skills, information and support to secure entry-level employment in health care, hospitality and manufacturing. The program also helps refugee clients gain financial stability and access to opportunities for long-term career growth.

Newcomer Workplace Integration in the Disability Services Sector

Awarded to: Anthony & Holmes Consulting Ltd.

Three online courses focused on intercultural competence and workplace communication developed in partnership with employers for newcomers and Canadian-born workers in the disability services sector.

Integrating the Essential Skills Tools into the Employment Counselling Process: Workshops and Material

Awarded to: Alberta Workforce Essential Skills

This project provided training for front-line workers at immigrant serving agencies who provide employment counselling for immigrant job-seekers. Workshops helped counsellors provide workplace preparation services for newcomers by increasing knowledge and understanding about their needs and the labour market.

Fostering Positive Healthcare Workplaces for Newcomers in Rural Alberta

Awarded to: Stettler & District Community Adult Learning Council

In partnership with NorQuest College, a series of professional development workshops offered employees who work in health care to build intercultural awareness, improve skill levels and English language communication for those whose first language is not English.

Ongoing Support Services Red Deer

Awarded to: Catholic Social Services

This project provided clients with personalized needs assessments, information and orientation, supportive counselling, referral services and outreach activities such as presentations to community organizations.

Supports for Newcomer Integration

Awarded to: Edmonton Immigrant Services Association

This project provided translation services needed for foreign credential assessment as well as supportive counselling, mentoring and group support, information and orientation on community programs and services, immigration and legal issues, employment, housing, and other needs.

Newcomer Community Integration Project

Awarded to: Grande Prairie Centre for Newcomers – Edmonton Immigrant Serving Association

This project supported naturalized Canadian citizens and refugee claimants in Grande Prairie and nearby rural communities who are ineligible for supports funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Francophone Newcomer Community Integration – Edmonton

Awarded to: Centre d'accueil et d'établissement du Nord de l'Alberta

This project provided settlement and integration services for naturalized Canadians, refugee claimants and their children who are ineligible for supports funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. The project also assisted Francophone LGTBQ newcomers who face barriers ranging from racism, homophobia, transphobia and isolation to logistical issues such as finding work, support services and safe housing.

Francophone Newcomer Community Integration - Fort McMurray

Awarded to: Centre d'accueil et d'établissement du Nord de l'Alberta

This project provided settlement and integration services into the Francophone and broader community in Fort McMurray for naturalized Canadians and refugee claimants and their children who are ineligible for supports funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Enhanced Integration Services

Awarded to: Calgary Catholic Immigration Society

Support for naturalized Canadian citizens and refugee claimants ineligible for funding by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and are facing significant barriers to their settlement and integration. Clients gained access to resources, skills, connections and support to overcome the barriers they face and achieve outcomes such as financial literacy, employability and social inclusion.

Brooks Enhanced Integration Services

Awarded to: Calgary Catholic Immigration Society

Support for naturalized Canadian citizens and refugee claimants ineligible for funding by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and are facing significant barriers to their settlement and integration. Clients gained access to resources, skills, connections and support to overcome the barriers they face and achieve outcomes such as financial literacy, employability and social inclusion.

Newcomer Integration Support: Integration, Pre-Employment and Cross-Cultural Parenting Services

Awarded to: Calgary Immigrant Women's Association

Support for naturalized Canadian citizens and refugee claimant women and their families ineligible for supports funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Individual counselling sessions in the client’s first language will provide a needs assessment, action planning, integration, pre-employment and supportive family counselling and will be ongoing as needed.

Newcomer's Navigator

Awarded to: Taber and District Community Adult Learning Association

This project supported newcomers who have chosen to settle in the Taber area. It provided a ‘Newcomer Navigator’ staff person in Taber to link clients to career and employment services, English language classes, volunteer opportunities, schools and other relevant local service providers.

Newcomer and Learner Support Centre

Awarded to: Two Hills Adult Learning Council

Language and cultural support to Low German Mennonite speakers through:

• language classes
• support centre open during evenings with access to public computers and internet
• foundational math training for entry into general educational development apprenticeship preparation course to increase employability of clients.

Alberta LGBTQ+ New Canadians Project

Awarded to: Centre for Newcomers

This project builds on piloted joint services dedicated to LGBTQ+ newcomers by serving clients ineligible for services funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in Calgary, mainly naturalized Canadian citizens and refugee claimants.

Connecting Chinese Newcomers to Mainstream Services

Awarded to: ASSIST Community Services Centre

Partnership between ASSIST, Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, and Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton. Increased understanding of Chinese senior newcomers’ settlement needs to create integration pathways with the larger community.

Refugee Awareness Alberta

Awarded to: Centre for Race and Culture – Edmonton

This project educated Albertans about refugees, the causes of their displacement and the resettlement process. Approximately 20 workshops were provided for frontline service providers (from sectors including education, police, housing and health) and the general public.

Bridge to Better On-boarding

Awarded to: Alberta Workforce Essential Skills Society (AWES)

Design, develop and pilot a course providing language, essential skills and intercultural communication training that supports on-boarding and orientation of front line immigrant employees in food manufacturing.

Customer Care: Cultivating the Culture of Service

Awarded to: Bow Valley College

Design, develop and pilot a part-time blended course for learners at a CLB 4–6 who are working in hospitality and retail jobs.

Here to Help: Language Skills for Food Service Workers

Awarded to: Bow Valley College

Develop an e-handbook targeted for instructors, facilitators and learners who then develop and pilot a part-time face-to-face course using the e-handbook as the core curriculum.

Adult ESL Classroom Online

Awarded to: Calgary Immigrant Educational Society (CIES)

Design, develop and pilot a short, interactive blended-online language employment course for learners at a CLB 3–4.

Integration for Refugee Women

Awarded to: Edmonton Northlands

Develop and deliver a communication and job skills workplace training program that builds work readiness for refugee women, and leads to employment in banquet or concession services.

Integrated Language & Workforce Training

Awarded to: NorQuest College

Develop and deliver workplace-specific language and essential skills training program, including workplace experience, for CLB 3–5 learners who have minimal Canadian work experience and are interested in pursuing employment in the near future.

Using Trauma-Informed English as Second Language Instruction to Empower Refugees at CLB Levels 3–4

Awarded to: Red Deer College

A two-phased project that included a certificate course for language instructors on trauma-informed pedagogy and the subsequent trauma-informed certificate course for refugees at a CLB 3–4 that provides workplace language training for commercial kitchens, hospitality and customer service environments.