Looking for a new job can be a challenging process, especially for those new to Canada, grappling with not only a new home and culture, but for some a new language.
To assist newcomers to find gainful employment, the North Shore Multicultural Society is a partner in the YWCA-led North Shore Employment Service Centre, a new initiative that replaces former services assisting North Shore residents to find work.
Under this new program, North Shore Multicultural Society staff have been providing immigrantspecific job search assistance at their office at 207-123 East 15th St., in North Vancouver since April 1.
The WorkBC Employment Service Centre for Newcomers to Canada allows those new to the country to take advantage of a wealth of free services, including: access to a resource centre with computers and job search materials; and, one-onone assistance to identify an employment plan, including credential evaluation and shortand long-term employment goals.
Newcomer job seekers can also attend workshops specific to their needs, such as Understanding Job Search Strategies in Canada, Resume and Cover Letter, Interview Skills, and Career Planning and Explorations.
According to Tim Blake, manager of employment services at the centre, it's been a busy first month with more than 100 newcomers seeking assistance with their respective job hunts.
For more information, or to book an appointment, phone 604-988-2931 or visit www.nsms.ca.
NORTH SHORE MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY
SETTLEMENT WORKERS
For new immigrants arriving on the North Shore, it's common to have questions about the workings of Canadian systems - health, education, legal, housing, government and employment included.
To help ease the transition, the provincial government, through transfer payments from the federal government, fund bilingual community settlement workers who have a host of up-to-date information to assist newcomers bridge into their new community. Settlement workers explain how Canadian systems work, help make appointments, fill in forms and connect people to programs and services that will assist them.
The North Shore Multicultural Society has nine settlement workers who can provide information in English, Persian (Farsi), Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean and Tagalog.
In addition, the local school districts have settlement workers in schools who can assist parents of North Shore students.
Newcomers who get accurate information early on in their settlement process have an easier time finding employment and integrating into the community.
For more information, or to book an appointment with a settlement worker, contact the North Shore Multicultural Society at 604-988-2931 or visit www.nsms.ca.
The North Shore Multicultural Society is dedicated to building a harmonious and inclusive North Shore community that assists immigrants and refugees to integrate successfully into life in Canada.
