Skill‑Matched Employment for Refugees in Toronto

New refugees in Toronto frequently end up in low‑wage, short‑term jobs despite strong skills, held back by limited networks, unfamiliarity with Canadian workplace norms, and gaps in digital access, transportation, and professional attire.

New Circles’ four‑stream training pathway (retail/customer service, business office skills, home support work, and employment‑linked English) is a 6–8‑week program, followed by 80–100 hours of paid work‑integrated learning and direct job placement, with a strong emphasis on roles that align with skills and long‑term career growth.

Through Northpine’s investment, this program will support refugees to go through this program and receive integrated supports including digital access, transit support, and professional work clothing.

This initiative is a targeted lever to move refugees from survival jobs into stable, skill‑matched employment, while building a replicable, employer‑anchored pipeline in Toronto’s refugee-serving ecosystem.