Supporting Refugee Employment in the GTA

Northpine Foundation has invested in Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services to help Government-Assisted Refugees build employment pathways. Though many arrive with education, professional experience, or skilled-trades backgrounds, they face language gaps, credential recognition, unfamiliar workplace expectations, and limited employer networks.

This program combines employment assessment, career planning, occupation-specific language support, training and certifications, credential navigation, practical assistance, and targeted employer connections. It will build on Polycultural’s existing work, including its experience supporting newcomers into childcare and other in-demand sectors.

Northpine’s investment aims to help refugees in the GTA obtain gainful employment while tracking income, retention, and movement off social assistance. This initiative aims to test whether an employment pathway in early settlement support can help refugees move more quickly toward skills-aligned work and long-term economic independence.