Impact Story
Equipping for success: Olena’s ELT training
Olena Yeromina, an internationally trained psychologist from Ukraine, arrived in Canada with her son in July 2023, seeking refuge from the war. Facing challenges such as limited English proficiency and unfamiliarity with the Canadian job market, Olena joined our Enhanced Language Training (ELT) program for Internationally Trained Professionals in York Region.
Throughout the program, Olena showed remarkable dedication. She attended classes diligently, completed assignments and worked hard to enhance her workplace communication skills. The individualized coaching which she received was particularly valuable, helping her to develop self-marketing tools and effective job search strategies.
“Thanks to the ELT course, I became acquainted with the Canadian job search and hiring process, resume and cover letter preparation, job interview procedures, as well as cultural peculiarities in the workplace. Everything I learned in the ELT course was new to me because the Ukrainian employment system is completely different from the Canadian one,” shared Olena. “The individual coaching and support helped me understand how to navigate the Canadian job market.”
By the end of the course, Olena’s confidence had grown significantly. She began volunteering at a community centre and completed First Aid and CPR/AED courses. Despite facing initial job rejections, her perseverance paid off. Olena successfully secured a position as a Mental Health Case Manager at a multi-service agency. Her dedication and the skills she acquired through COSTI played a crucial role in her successful transition into the Canadian workforce.
