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News/Media

For Immediate Release

February 26, 2009

Spanish-speaking newcomers learn about resources to help them find work in their own professions

Burlington, ON: The Centre for Skills Development & Training and the Halton Peel Hispanic Association (HPHA) hosted an information session on February 19 to explore employment resources for internationally trained professionals and newcomers. The session took place at the Bay Area Learning Centre in Burlington, and introduced association members to newcomer services provided by The Centre.

“It can be challenging for newcomers to Canada to orient themselves to their new home and find employment in their own profession,” said Kathy Mills, Chief Administrative Officer of The Centre. “The Centre not only helps newcomers get settled and improve their English language skills, but also coaches them in networking and information-sharing to help them in their job search.”

“In last five years, the number of Spanish-speaking immigrants to our area has grown drastically,” said Barb Krukowski, Manager of Languages and Newcomer Services at The Centre. “Although many immigrants are internationally educated professionals with a wide range of experience and expertise, they still have a hard time in finding employment in their field. Our programs help to address the root causes of this problem—the language barrier and job search techniques.”

The session encouraged newcomers to look for opportunities to open doors to their professions in Canada. After a presentation of The Centre’s programs and services, previous Spanish-speaking clients of The Centre’s language programs were invited to share their success stories. Their stories demonstrated that newcomers can be successful in Canada, thanks to all the resources available to them.

“We teamed up with The Centre because we are hearing about more and more immigrants trying to find jobs,” said Jose Zlatar, president of the HPHA. Many of The Centre’s programs and services have no cost to clients and can help people across Halton Region look for work.

The Centre offers a full suite of services to the new immigrant community in Halton. With professional support and in a supportive learning environment, The Centre offers combined LINC/ESL (Language Instruction for Newcomers in Canada/English as a Second Language), and ELT (Enhanced Language Training for Internationally Educated Professionals). Newcomer Outreach Workers help newcomers in the Halton community access The Centre’s services, and Settlement Information Specialists have recently been added in three of the Centre’s locations. These programs are funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

The HPHA is a non-profit and non-government organization (NGO) registered with the Canadian government. Their mission is to promote Hispanic culture through its various forms of expression. They strive to be the bridge that connects their culture with that of the other Canadians living in Halton-Peel. For more information, visit www.hispaniccanadian.org.

The Centre specializes in pre-apprenticeship trades and technology, employment services, corporate development services, language skills and academic upgrading. The Centre offers its programs at locations in Burlington, Georgetown, Malton, Milton, Mississauga and Oakville. For more information, visit www.thecentre.on.ca.

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Contact:
Barb Krukowski, Manager,
Languages and Newcomer Services
The Centre for Skills Development & Training
905-333-3499, ext. 146 | krukowskib@thecentre.on.ca

Alternate Contact:
Maria McDonald, Manager,
Communications
The Centre for Skills Development & Training
905-333-3499 ext. 135 | mcdonaldm@thecentre.on.ca