Settlement Online Pre-Arrival (SOPA) Program

CCI and World Skills are proud to be co-providers for Ontario of the Settlement Online Pre-Arrival (SOPA) Program. The main purpose of this initiative is to deliver a series of online courses to new immigrants who intend to come to Canada. The participant settlement agencies are located in the following provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Atlantic Region (New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador; Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia), Ontario and Saskatchewan.

Arrive Prepared with SOPA from ISANS on Vimeo.

The courses are designed to help new immigrants:

• develop Canadian job search skills
• improve communication skills for the Canadian workplace
• connect with local resources in Canada before and after arriving

These important tools will provide newcomers to Canada the opportunity to learn about:

• the Canadian labour market
• Canadian workplace culture
• regulations for specific professions
• what to expect in the Canadian workplace
• communicating with co-workers

Online Courses offered by SOPA

Soft Skills: Professional Communication (Facilitated)

This four-week course helps immigrants participate effectively in the Canadian workplace. This course explores different types of interactions in the workplace and distinguishes culturally appropriate communication and behaviours from inappropriate ones. Participants learn about spoken workplace communication through videos, focusing on Canadian culture and how it impacts communication.

Soft Skills: Working with Others (Facilitated)

This four-week course helps immigrants participate effectively in the Canadian workplace. This course explores different types of interactions in the workplace and distinguishes culturally appropriate language and behaviours from inappropriate ones. Participants learn about spoken workplace communication through videos, focusing on Canadian culture and how it impacts communication.

Job Search Strategies (Facilitated)

Job Search Strategies provides an opportunity for immigrants to learn about the job search process. Clients learn and practise skills which make them more competitive for positions in the Canadian labour market. The course is highly interactive and involves regular contact with a facilitator with extensive experience in pre-employment training. Over six weeks, participants progress through the topics listed below. Each unit covers a different topic and involves readings, case studies, activities, assignments, videos and additional learning resources. Participants take part in group discussions to discuss relevant topics.

Canadian Workplace Integration (Self-Directed)

This course provides information about adapting to Canadian workplace culture. Topics include: how to adapt, the importance of communication styles, how to expand soft skills, using cultural communication, working with differences and understanding power dynamics in the Canadian workplace.

Working in Canada (Self-Directed)

This course provides critical information about working in Canada including: workplace orientation, organizational culture, workplace protection, employment contracts, taxes, pay, written and unwritten workplace rules. Participants learn about the unique characteristics of the Canadian workplace and how to integrate effectively into their field of employment in Canada.

Click here for further information on Settlement Online Pre-Arrival (SOPA) and eligibility criteria or please contact Kristy-Lu Desrosiers at [email protected].