Employment Services
Career Assessment and Planning, Job Search and Placement, Job Maintenance Support services are provided to adults (including internationally trained professionals/tradespeople) and youth through a comprehensive service model intended to address individual needs. Services include: individual assessment, counselling, pre-employment training, group workshops and employment and job maintenance placement. Individuals can also benefit from a range of on-the-job placement and training opportunities relevant to their specific career goals. Also available are opportunities for exploration of trades apprenticeships, customized job searches and mentoring.
The Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG) provides resources to employers to undertake training and professional development in their workforce. COSTI is a designated provider of the COJG.
Career Pro
Occupation-specific e-learning curriculum for newcomers living in the Greater Toronto Area and developed by Limestone District School Board combines language instruction with employment supports to prepare students for employment as Personal Support Workers, or to further their education in related fields.
Express-Way – Cybersecurity Bridging Program
Provides a 16-week combination of 4 weeks pre-employment services and 12 weeks technical training designed to assist highly skilled internationally trained individuals with a background in Information Technology obtained outside of Canada and who now residing in Ontario, and are unemployed or underemployed, integrate into the Ontario workforce in obtaining a certificate and secure occupation in the highly demanded Cybersecurity field.
Homeless Initiatives Fund – Employment
Supports individuals accessing COSTI’s Housing Help programs. Participants undergo an employability assessment, individualized return-to-work action plan, pre-employment workshops and career exploration that lead to self-improvement and/or employment.
ITI Solutions: Bridging the Gap to Employment
Provides employment assistance to residents of Peel and York regions who are Internationally Trained individuals with prior education in Engineering, Finance and Accounting, Health care and Information Technology to obtain paid internship and employment in their field. The program will provide participants information for credential recognition.
Life Skills Training
Employment preparation workshops to develop life and management skills and career exploration options. Services for residents of York Region social assistance recipients include career planning, résumé development, interview skills and creation of a personal job search plan.
Online Services
Using an interactive online platform e-facilitated by Employment Consultants, online services are available to unemployed and under-employed individuals who face multiple barriers and cannot otherwise access on-site services. An Employment Resource room is available for specific job search techniques and tools, and a Virtual Library listing key websites related to employment research and job search.
Ontario Works
The Internationally Trained Individuals program provides basic training on career planning, résumé development, interview skills and creation of a personal job search plan. Services for job-ready social assistance recipients include assessment, four weeks of group instruction, individual job placement and follow-up support. Eight-week virtual Wrap-around program for Ontario Works participants currently facing hardships and life management issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Services include: individualized counselling and information sessions that include guest speakers, one-on-one support and access to online learning courses and activities including pre-employment preparation and skills training.
Pathways to Early Childhood Education for Internationally Trained Individuals
Pathways to Early Childhood Education for Internationally Trained Individuals bridges the gap to employment by providing employment assistance to newcomers with a background in early childhood, preschool, or primary school teachers and Internationally Educated Individuals with a Bachelors’ Arts Degree in a related field including Psychology, Sociology who live in York Region. It helps program participants who are internationally trained to succeed in the workplace, remove barriers to employment and assist with Registered Early Childhood Education certification. The project will educate and guide program participants in pursuing and securing employment in a Licenced Child Care or EarlyON Child and Family Centres.
Resource and Information
Individuals access information on careers and occupations, local job market, training opportunities and job search strategies to successfully find and maintain employment. Resources include: computerized job banks, internet access, fax/photocopier, video library, audio tapes and written materials.
The Federal Internship for Newcomers Program
Offers eligible newcomers a chance to gain valuable temporary work experience and training opportunities with Canadian federal, provincial and municipal organizations, in fields such as administration, project support/management, policy and research and computer science. Candidates are hired as temporary employees and are able to understand job application and hiring processes, learn about Canadian workplace culture, network with professionals, attend training sessions and be matched with a public service mentor.
The TRIEC Mentoring Partnership
The TRIEC Mentoring Partnership helps immigrants with a professional background to reconnect with their career with the support of a mentor who works in their field in Canada. COSTI is a partner with The TRIEC Mentoring Partnership – a program of the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council, delivered by twelve community partners across the greater Toronto area, including COSTI.
Wrap Around Supports Program
Provides eight-weeks of individualized counselling and small group sessions, incorporating formal and informal sessions that include guest speakers and one-on-one support and/or online learning courses and activities.