June 12, 2025 Leave a Comment

Program for Immigrant Women Leads to Success

Adapting to a new culture and finding employment can be a difficult task for newcomers to Canada – especially if they have a family to support. Mina, an experienced IT professional, came to Canada from Jamaica in March 2023. She sought a better life for herself and her three-month-old child.

With six years of experience in the IT field and several post-secondary qualifications, Mina thought her transition into the Canadian job market would be straightforward.

However, after six months of job searching without success, Mina realized she needed extra support to overcome the challenges she was facing. That’s when she joined JVS Toronto’s Road to Employment for Immigrant Women program – a specialized initiative designed to build resilience, motivation, and preparedness for the Canadian labour market.

In class, Mina refined her already strong communication skills to be better prepared for the Canadian workplace and job interviews. She explored effective ways to present her resume, found networking opportunities and received interview coaching.

The program also offered resilience-building sessions that helped Mina manage the personal challenges that added to the stress of her job search, such as securing childcare and maintaining financial stability. Despite not being able to find childcare, she was committed to her journey, attending every class with her baby in tow.

Outside of class, Mina continued networking and applying to job openings, while receiving ongoing coaching to improve her interview skills. Her perseverance paid off. She started receiving more interview requests, and was offered positions at two top-tier companies.

Today, Mina is working full-time in the IT industry and has achieved the stability she came to Canada seeking.

Her story of resilience and successful integration into Canadian society will undoubtedly inspire future newcomer women to achieve their dreams.

“JVS Toronto helped me to see new perspectives and stay positive. Now I can say I have grown, settled into a job, and my son is thriving. I recommend the Agency to all newcomer women trying to navigate their way in Canada.”

– Mina

For more information on this innovate program, visit Road to Employment for Immigrant Women.

For other services specifically for newcomers, visit Newcomer Employment Services.

March 26, 2025 Leave a Comment

Building Careers in the Skilled Trades

We extend our sincere thanks to the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) for funding JVS Toronto’s START program. This initiative supports newcomers with international experience in the skilled trades by providing access to essential training and licensure support. Training plays a pivotal role in the success of the START program. Every participant has completed a variety of technical and safety courses, and the impact has been truly significant. These trainings are thoughtfully designed to equip newcomers with the certifications, skills, and knowledge necessary to successfully transition into the skilled trades workforce in Canada.

Thanks to our esteemed training partners—WHSC (Working at Heights, First Aid, and WHMIS), Conestoga College (Health and Safety), Canadian Forklift Training Center (Forklift Operation), and Fit Electrician (PLC – Programmable Logic Controller)—participants gain not only valuable certifications but also a boost in confidence and employability. For many, these credentials have opened doors to interviews and meaningful employment in their chosen fields.

Participants have consistently expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to gain these valuable skills. As Vitalii, an internationally trained electrician with 15 years of professional experience and a participant in the START program, shared:

The training helped enhance my resume and show employers my commitment to working in the field in Canada.

Another participant, Henry, an experienced Construction Electrician from Nigeria, credited his forklift training with directly leading to his employment as a forklift technician. For Michelle, an experienced Industrial Electrician from Cameroon and one of the women in the START program, the PLC training was a game-changer—equipping her with skills that are highly relevant to industrial electrical work.

These training sessions don’t just fulfill a requirement—they empower participants to feel job-ready and confident. They now understand the importance of Canadian workplace safety standards and technical certifications, which are often unfamiliar to newcomers. Many participants have noted that without the support of JVS Toronto’s START program, navigating the job market and licensing processes would have been far more difficult.

March 26, 2025 Leave a Comment

Henry’s Journey to Certification and Employment in Ontario

Henry arrived in Oshawa from Nigeria in 2024 with his wife, bringing over six years of experience as a Construction Electrician. He has a vast experience from initial installations to complex troubleshooting and repairs.

Throughout his career, he developed deep technical knowledge and a strong work ethic. His responsibilities included blueprint and schematic interpretation, installation and maintenance, electrical inspections and testing, and collaboration and supervision. A key part of his role was ensuring that all projects met both client specifications and local building regulations. He consistently followed strict safety guidelines to minimize risks and avoid accidents on job sites.

Unfamiliar with Ontario’s complex licensing process, he initially struggled to navigate the system. He quickly realized that the certification process in Ontario was far more intricate than in Nigeria and found it daunting at first. After visiting several employment agencies, he was referred by the YMCA to JVS Toronto for specialized support in training and licensure for Skilled trades.

At JVS Toronto, Henry enrolled in JVS Toronto’s START program, funded by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD). START gave him access to crucial information about the Trade Equivalency Assessment (TEA). With consistent guidance and support from JVS Toronto’s START program staff, he was able to gather the necessary documentation and confidently submit his TEA application.

The START program staff encouraged Henry to participate in essential training, including Working at Heights, WHMIS, and forklift operation. They also provided personalized support with his job search—helping him refine his resume, develop networking strategies, and strengthen his interview skills.

Following the completion of his forklift certification, Henry successfully secured employment as a forklift technician. He remains extremely grateful to JVS Toronto’s START program for their unwavering support throughout his journey—from navigating the TEA and securing approval to challenge the Certificate of Qualification exam, to ultimately gaining employment in his field. He is now well-prepared to take his licensing exam and continue building his career in Ontario.

JVS Toronto’s START program made the daunting task of the Trade Equivalency Assessment and the Certificate of Qualification seamless and manageable. I thank the government for supporting programs like this, which enable newcomers in skilled trades to get licensed faster.

March 26, 2025 Leave a Comment

Encouraging Newcomer Women in Trades Pursue Their Goals

Michelle, an experienced Industrial Electrician from Cameroon, is on the path to becoming a licensed 442A Industrial Electrician in Ontario.

With over eight years of experience in power generation, Michelle worked at a heavy fuel thermal power plant in Douala, where she was the only woman on the team. Working in a male-dominated field came with challenges, but Michelle proved her skills and determination, earning respect through her hard work and technical expertise.

When she arrived in Ontario, Michelle faced a new challenge — understanding how to get licensed and continue her career. Unfamiliar with the process, she didn’t know where to begin until a friend referred her to JVS Toronto’s START program, funded by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD). Through START, Michelle received personalized support, technical training, and financial assistance for her Trade Equivalency Assessment, licensing fees, and tools.

A highlight for Michelle was the PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) training, which provided valuable upskilling opportunity relevant to industrial electrical work. Michelle shared that programs like START are critical for newcomers in skilled trades, who often face additional barriers in entering and advancing in the industry. She now feels confident and prepared, with the skills and tools needed to succeed.

Currently preparing for the Red Seal Electrician Exam, Michelle is close to becoming licensed in Ontario and encourages other women in trades to pursue their goals, saying:

If a woman decides and works hard, she can achieve anything.

Michelle highly recommends JVS Toronto’s START program to all newcomers in skilled trades:

Thanks to the START program at JVS Toronto, my dream of continuing my electrical career in Canada is becoming a reality.

January 23, 2025 5 Comments

Celebrate National Mentoring Month with the Launch of JVS Toronto’s Inclusive Mentorship Certification

With a rich history dating back to 1947, JVS Toronto has been at the forefront of meeting the needs of a rapidly changing world, with a commitment to its vision of empowering people from diverse backgrounds and communities to achieve their employment potential. Mentoring has played a critical role in this journey, and during National Mentoring Month, we’re thrilled to announce the launch of JVS Toronto’s Inclusive Mentorship Certification – a transformative program designed to empower mentors with the tools and insights needed to foster truly inclusive and supportive relationships with their mentees.

As we celebrate the incredible impact mentorship has on individuals and communities in Canada, this new certification takes a significant step forward in ensuring that mentorship is not only about guidance but also about creating spaces where everyone feels valued, respected and heard.

Why Inclusive Mentorship Matters

In a world that thrives on diversity, mentorship must evolve to embrace the principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). For mentors working with newcomers to Canada, this is especially crucial. Newcomers often face unique challenges, from navigating cultural differences to overcoming systemic barriers. By equipping mentors with a deeper understanding of DEIB, we can enhance the mentorship experience and pave the way for mentees to thrive in their personal and professional journeys.

Newcomers often face unique challenges, from navigating cultural differences to overcoming systemic barriers. By equipping mentors with a deeper understanding of DEIB, we can enhance the mentorship experience and pave the way for mentees to thrive in their personal and professional journeys.

What the Certification Offers

The Inclusive Mentorship Certification is a comprehensive program developed in partnership with Inclusive Leaders, experts in the field of DEIB. Combining self-paced online learning with an interactive workshop, this certification ensures that mentors are not only informed but also actively engaged in applying DEIB principles to their mentorship practice.

By completing this program, mentors will:

Gain a deeper understanding of DEIB principles and their application in mentorship.
Build confidence in creating inclusive and supportive mentorship experiences.
Enhance their leadership and coaching skills.
Receive a JVS Toronto-branded certification, demonstrating their commitment to inclusive mentorship.

For now, this free resource will be offered exclusively to JVS Toronto and Canada InfoNet mentors. If you are interested in supporting the journeys of new immigrants, please fill out the “Mentoring Newcomers” form here and take the first step towards becoming an Inclusive Mentor!