02

Collaborate

Collaborating
for Growth

We work closely with many partners to ensure our programing is always growing, evolving and responding to Canada’s economic priorities. Our employer network help us stay tuned into economic shifts, anticipate future trends in the labour market and scale solutions for jobseekers locally, nationally and globally. We collaborate to identify in-demand sectors and create programs to prepare jobseekers to fill specific gaps in the labour market. Through our joint efforts, we are always supporting the needs of jobseekers and employers, even as the economy shifts.

“ACCES demonstrates a strong commitment to collaboration by working directly with employers across a range of industries to design programs that align with current labour market demands. This sector-specific approach ensures that newcomers gain the practical skills, credentials, and cultural understanding required to succeed, while employers benefit from a talent pool that is well-prepared and job-ready from day one.”

– Stef Saad, Co-founder & Vice President, Les Entreprises SmartLux Inc., and an ACCES Employment volunteer.

01

Pathways to jobs in agricultural technology

There is a high demand for skilled workers in the agri-tech sector as the societal focus on environmental sustainability and food security demands new approaches to agriculture, including vertical farming. With our funding partners Upskill Canada (powered by Palette Skills) and the Government of Canada, ACCES Employment is responding to this urgent labour market need through our Connecting Careers to Agricultural Technology within Vertical Farming program. The program is informed by our industry partners and offers a pathway for those looking to launch or advance their careers in agricultural technology and is one way we’re addressing real-world industry needs.

02

Tapping young people for the trades

To support Canada’s goal to build more housing and address the demand for skilled tradespeople, we’re partnering to equip highly-barrier jobseekers with the skills, knowledge and support they need to succeed in construction trades. One way that we’ll tap into this hidden talent pool is by travelling directly to youth within their communities to offer opportunities to experience various trades through virtual reality from our mobile employment service, the ACCES Street Fleet which is a new program funded by Toronto Pearson. Our collaboration is enabling us to prepare workers for metalworking, carpentry and masonry while breaking down barriers, promoting inclusion and creating pathways to stable, high-paying careers. Our Connecting to Careers in Construction series (LINK) focuses on the pre-apprenticeship stage of a career in skilled trades and attracts youth who may not have considered working in construction.

03

Linking mid-career workers to advanced manufacturing

Advanced manufacturing is a vital sector in the Canadian economy, yet there is an urgent skill and labour shortage that can be addressed in part by training and hiring marginalized jobseekers including immigrants. Upskill Canada (powered by Palette Skills) and the Government of Canada are partnering with ACCES to tackle the skills and labour mismatch. Our Connecting to Careers in Advanced Manufacturing upskilling program has been created in collaboration with experts in the field to help mid-career workers find and keep technical jobs through post-secondary training, mentoring, and job placement.

04

Meeting demand for early childhood educators

In some of Ontario’s fastest-growing communities, the demand for affordable childcare continues to outstrip supply, creating an urgent need for early childhood educators. In partnership with Sheridan College, ACCES Employment’s Connecting to Careers in Early Childhood Education series is preparing people for careers in this high-demand sector. The programs lead to a college diploma in Early Childhood Education, registration with the college of early childhood educators, and employment in this high-demand sector.

05

Supporting our health workforce

Canada’s growing and aging population is increasing the demand for healthcare services at a time when the country is experiencing a shortage of healthcare workers. Our Healthcare Connections series support internationally educated healthcare professionals secure non-licensed employment in Canada in the broader sector while they pursue licensing.

The program’s success relies on many partners. The Centre for Advancing Collaborative Healthcare & Education offers training in healthcare communications. The Bruyere Health Research Institute’s Equity in Health Systems Lab (EqHS) offers healthcare-specific training in equity, diversity, inclusion and access. For skills related to mental health in the health workplace, we partner with the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

ACCES Employment also creates pathways for internationally educated physicians into our healthcare system through a program that bridges language and communication gaps. Health English Language Pro (HELP) is pairing volunteer Canadian doctors with foreign-trained doctors so they can build social capital, learn medical terminology in English and increase their familiarity with Canadian healthcare communications and systems.

06

Supporting people pre-arrival

Canadian Employment Connections is a pre-arrival employment program funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada that’s designed to help internationally trained professionals prepare for the Canadian job market before immigrating to Canada. The free program brings together ACCES Employment’s expertise and our vast network of Canadian employers to help pre-arrival immigrants in their job search journey. Almost one-third of people who take the program have secured employment before arriving

07

Supporting Employment Ontario and WCG Services

With an 85 per cent client employment success rate in jobs commensurate with jobseekers’ skills and experience, ACCES is recognized across the province for delivering Employment Ontario services with excellence, and has been able to work with WCG Services in completing its integrated employment service transformation with success across all seven offices. Today, ACCES has numerous unique service interventions that include sector-specific bridging and upskilling programs across multiple sectors.

Guita Movallali, owner of a successful clinic for deaf children in Iran, sought help to continue her work when she arrived in Canada. Despite two decades of experience and a PhD, she was challenged by language and unfamiliarity with the Canadian system as she sought to establish herself in the Canadian job market. Through ACCES Employment’s Entrepreneurship Connections program, she found the knowledge and confidence to pursue her goals. Guita now works as the Executive Director at the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program.
The warm and inspiring atmosphere, coupled with exceptional instructors and a comprehensive curriculum, made me feel welcomed and equipped to tackle any challenge. I am grateful the opportunities ACCES opened up for me. Thank you, ACCES, for providing such an amazing program and being an integral part of my success story,"
— Gurjeet Singh Taneja – ACCES Employment Alum
Guita Movallali, owner of a successful clinic for deaf children in Iran, sought help to continue her work when she arrived in Canada. Despite two decades of experience and a PhD, she was challenged by language and unfamiliarity with the Canadian system as she sought to establish herself in the Canadian job market. Through ACCES Employment’s Entrepreneurship Connections program, she found the knowledge and confidence to pursue her goals. Guita now works as the Executive Director at the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program.
The warm and inspiring atmosphere, coupled with exceptional instructors and a comprehensive curriculum, made me feel welcomed and equipped to tackle any challenge. I am grateful the opportunities ACCES opened up for me. Thank you, ACCES, for providing such an amazing program and being an integral part of my success story,"
— Gurjeet Singh Taneja – ACCES Employment Alum
Guita Movallali, owner of a successful clinic for deaf children in Iran, sought help to continue her work when she arrived in Canada. Despite two decades of experience and a PhD, she was challenged by language and unfamiliarity with the Canadian system as she sought to establish herself in the Canadian job market. Through ACCES Employment’s Entrepreneurship Connections program, she found the knowledge and confidence to pursue her goals. Guita now works as the Executive Director at the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program.
The warm and inspiring atmosphere, coupled with exceptional instructors and a comprehensive curriculum, made me feel welcomed and equipped to tackle any challenge. I am grateful the opportunities ACCES opened up for me. Thank you, ACCES, for providing such an amazing program and being an integral part of my success story,"
— Gurjeet Singh Taneja – ACCES Employment Alum
Farhad Mansouri had many years of experience as a government water resources engineer when he arrived in Canada to escape the political unrest of Afghanistan in 2022. He knew he had the qualifications and skills to succeed in Canada, but wasn’t familiar with writing resumes, networking and how to target his search. Through the Engineering Connections online program, he received one-to-one mentoring and coaching from professionals in his field. He also benefitted from a resume review, interview skills training, and the ever-important art of how to network. He soon landed a job as a water resources specialist at South Nation River Conservation Authority.
“A big thank you to ACCES. I found the staff friendly and supportive. I completed the program feeling prepared and confident to navigate the Canadian job market. I recommend ACCES to everyone!”
— Farhad Mansouri, ACCES Employment Alum
Guita Movallali, owner of a successful clinic for deaf children in Iran, sought help to continue her work when she arrived in Canada. Despite two decades of experience and a PhD, she was challenged by language and unfamiliarity with the Canadian system as she sought to establish herself in the Canadian job market. Through ACCES Employment’s Entrepreneurship Connections program, she found the knowledge and confidence to pursue her goals. Guita now works as the Executive Director at the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program.
The warm and inspiring atmosphere, coupled with exceptional instructors and a comprehensive curriculum, made me feel welcomed and equipped to tackle any challenge. I am grateful the opportunities ACCES opened up for me. Thank you, ACCES, for providing such an amazing program and being an integral part of my success story,"
— Gurjeet Singh Taneja – ACCES Employment Alum
Geetika Kour was an IT professional experienced in ERP software implementation when she came to Canada to explore opportunities in 2022. When she was not placed immediately, she sought programs to help her understand the Canadian landscape and bridge the gap between her international experience and the Canadian job market. Through the Supply Chain Connections program at ACCES Employment, delivered in partnership with Sheridan College, she got the tools she needed as well as networking opportunities with professionals in her field. She soon landed a full-time position as a project manager with an IT consulting firm.
“The Supply Chain Connections program was a game-changer for me. It gave me the confidence and knowledge I needed to navigate the Canadian job market and secure a position in my field”
— Geetika Kour – ACCES Employment Alum