Based on a submission by the School of Career and Academic Access, Conestoga College has been named as the new southern Ontario focal point partner for the Canadian Immigration Integration Program (CIIP)
Although immigration is vital to Canada’s population growth and economic prosperity, many highly competent newcomers to Canada remain unemployed or underemployed. In response, the Government of Canada funded the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) to develop and implement CIIP as a pre-arrival program to help prepare newcomers for economic integration while still in their country of origin. CIIP, initially launched as a pilot project in 2007, is now a three-year program (2010-2013) funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
Through the Conestoga Language Institute and the School of Career and Academic Access, the College provides a range of programs and services to assist individuals who are new to Canada with the unique challenges they face. Over the past ten years, Conestoga has developed and delivered a variety of English-as-a-Second-Language programs and employment and career services to approximately 300 international students each year as well as 1,000 newcomers.
The new partnership with CIIP will increase the visibility of Conestoga and southern Ontario as a destination for prospective immigrants in India, China, the Philippines and the United Kingdom, where CIIP currently has field offices. It will also enhance our partnerships in the local communities by serving as a referral source for other immigrant-serving agencies.
To date, George Brown College has served as CIIP’s sole focal point partner in Ontario. Beginning April 1, Conestoga will serve southern Ontario and Algonquin College will serve northern and eastern Ontario.
For more information, contact Andrea Leis.