Ontario to invest $600,000 in job specific language training

Ontario's Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Mike Colle announced a $600,000 investment to help adult immigrants receive language training that will be relevant to their skills and experience.

"Strong language skills are the imperative for newcomer success in the job market," Colle said at the Continuing Education School Board Administrators (CESBA) conference. "We're breaking down barriers for newcomers. This investment will enable school boards to re-focus language training on the workplace, to help newcomers land jobs that reflect their qualifications."

More than half of people immigrating to Ontario last year have higher education, but 25% do not speak English or French. The new program will enable school boards to offer specialized language training courses that focus on such sectors as information technology, hospitality and business communication.

The announcement by Colle will bring Ontario's commitment to adult, non-credit English and French as a Second Language programs to more than $50 million this year.

The $600,000 investment is part of a larger plan that includes such items as an agreement to vastly increase federal spending on language training and settlement services and a bill to help immigrants work in their field by mandating fair registration practices in regulated professions.

"Newcomers have global education and experience that can help keep Ontario's economy growing," Colle said.