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.
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.
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 
