Settlement and Integration Services

Employment and Immigrant and Refugee Services

Provided by Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society

This service supports newcomers to Canada toward their successful integration and aims to enhance intercultural awareness
Settlement services : Includes information Centre for Immigrants, Interpreting and Translation services, Assistance with applications for Social Insurance Number, Medical, Child Benefits, Employment Insurance, Citizenship, Income Tax training, etc., Help with registering students into the school system, Cross-cultural counselling, Bridging Activities, Assistance with Citizenship studies, Referrals to community resources, Self-employment information.

The Resettlement Assistance Program: Delivers income support and assistance for a range of immediate and essential services to Government Assisted Refugees within the first 4-6 weeks of arrival to Canada.

Information Sessions about life in BC: Some of the many topics include income tax for immigrants, Reporting Foreign Income, Employment Standards, Individual and Family Benefits, Home & Auto Insurance, Tenants Rights Service BC, ICBC, Power Smart, Having a Baby in Canada, School System in BC, Kindergarten Readiness.

The Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS): Program connects newcomer students and families to school, community and government resources in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith area.

Citizenship Classes: offers Citizenship Classes based on the Citizenship and Immigration study guide, Discover Canada – The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. Classes are FREE and open to all Permanent Residents who have submitted an application for Citizenship, and have Canadian Level Benchmark 4 in English (requirement for Citizenship). Space is limited, and priority will be given to those who have received an date for the Citizenship exam.

Youth Connections: Creates safe, welcoming spaces for Nanaimo’s youth to connect with their community and peers. Programs offer a range of opportunities designed to help young newcomers and locals build resilience and foster a sense of belonging.

HIPPY Program: HIPPY is a FREE service that provides: Weekly support and training from a Home Visitor, Children’s books and lesson packets for children at home, Group meetings and talks based on interest and needs.

LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) This program offers free English as a Second Language class. The class is based on the national language framework of Literacy to CLB Levels 7. CLB stands for Canada Language Benchmarks. LINC teaches you how to speak and understand English and also teaches you how to read and write in English. The program helps to assist newcomers with their settlement and adaptation to Canadian society. Classes teach English Levels 1 to 8 for everyday life (such as banking, housing, and work), and help participants obtain skills for employment, learn about Canadian culture, and how to use a computer. The program also offers free childminding for students attending classes.

Family Counselling: Provides qualified counsellors that specialize in immigrant adaptation issues. For an appointment, please contact our Settlement Workers.

Career paths for skilled Immigrants: The Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society delivers Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants to the communities of Campbell River, Courtenay, Comox Valley, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Parksville, and Port Alberni.

ASCEND: is a dynamic program that uses self-paced online videos, e-games and interactive content to help you cultivate key employment soft skills. ASCEND was created directly with Canadian employers to give you the employment edge you need to succeed in the job you want.

If you’re eligible, Career Paths can assist you to: Assess your skills, qualifications, and experience, Get information, advice and guidance to help you build your career plan, Learn how to look for work and understand the Canadian workplace, Improve your language skills and upgrade other skills required by employers in your industry, Understand the credential requirements if you work in a regulated occupation and get funding to assist the re-certification process, Get hands-on workplace experience through practicums, temporary employment or mentoring.
Career Paths Basic Eligibility:
  • Permanent Resident within the last 5 years
  • Intermediate English proficiency
  • 3 years’ experience of profession
  • Work more than 20 hours a week in a job that does not use the training or experience you obtained prior to coming to Canada, OR Unemployed and not receiving Employment Insurance or BC Employment Assistance

250-753-6911

Website: https://www.cvims.org

#101, 319 Selby Street, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 2R4

Service is available in English.

Cost: No cost

Availability

Service area: Nanaimo + show cities

Service area cities: Nanaimo

Service Types Provided
Employment
  • Employment Support
  • Foreign Credentials & Employment
Immigrant and Refugee Services
Ways to Access
  • Provided 1:1 in-person
  • Provided at multiple locations
  • Provided in a group in-person

The listing of this service in Pathways is not a recommendation or endorsement by Pathways.

Pathways does not provide medical advice. If you have an emergency please call 9-1-1. If you require assistance navigating services please call 8-1-1.

For general inquiries or for assistance, please email us:

community-services@pathwaysbc.ca

If you are requesting clinical access to medical Pathways, please provide the following information via the email above:

  1. First Name
  2. Last Name
  3. Email
  4. In which city/town do you work?
  5. What is your role? E.g. Family Physician, Office Staff, Medical Resident
  6. Employer Name (for office staff)
  7. Office Phone

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