18 October 2015
Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organisation is pleased to announce the implementation of the Ottawa Connector Program with the objective of supporting internationally educated professionals to expand their professional networks. The program is delivered in partnership with the National Connector Program and is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
OCISO’s Ottawa Connector Program is a formalized networking initiative. It is a simple but effective referral process that develops the newcomer’s network of contacts within their profession, enhances networking skills, improves job search skills, and enhances their knowledge of sector specific work cultures and environments. Newcomers are matched with Ottawa professionals (Connectors), who are asked to refer the newcomer to a minimum of three people in their network, each of these people are asked to refer them to three more. As a result, the newcomers’ professional network grows exponentially.
This is a coordinated approach to ensuring successful work transitions for newcomers to Ottawa, the program delivered alongside the successful OCISO Career Mentorship Program will further assist newcomers in opening doors and to become successfully integrated, while making Ottawa an inclusive and diverse city.
Leslie Emory, OCISO Executive Director, said: “Landing the right job is all about having timely labour market knowledge and access to opportunities. The Connector program is designed to deliver both.”
Yasir Naqvi, MPP Ottawa Centre, said: “It is critical that newcomers have the necessary supports to settle successfully in our community. I would like to congratulate and commend the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization on the launch of the Connector Program. With the funding from the Trillium Foundation, this program will help address the barriers employment ready newcomers face in developing professional networks and finding employment opportunities.”
Robyn Webb – Greater Halifax Partnership (National Connector), said; “We would like to congratulate Ottawa and welcome them as one of our 14 connector communities in Canada. This Initiative really shows communities at their best welcoming immigrants and helping them build their professional connections, setting them up for success in their new community.”
OCISO is a non-profit organization providing comprehensive settlement and integration services to the Ottawa community since 1978. Our programs include settlement and integration, mental health counselling, community economic development; school based programs for youth and their families, and English language instruction for adult newcomers.
For more information please contact; Jasmine Qi. Email: [email protected] Phone: (613) 725-5671 x 307
Source: Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organisation
Photo credit: TerriLlynne Robinson