Our Languages and Careers division provides several services to enable newcomers to achieve their language, job search, career, training and re-qualification needs. The division includes the Language and Career College of BC (LCC), delivering high quality English and co-op programs for domestic and international students at affordable prices.
Language and Career Services
Carla Morales
Director of Language and Career Services
We saw an increase in client demand, new partnerships and innovative new programming within Language and Career Services.
Within our Careers division, Job Quest met the rising demand from Ukrainian clients, Afghan refugees, and other newcomers.
Career Paths expanded partnerships with ICBC, City of Vancouver, RBC, STEMCELL, Terraprobe, TransLink, and MOSAIC WorkXP, as well as launching an internal mentoring program with 14 employers and past clients.
Within our Languages division, the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program held 75 hybrid English language classes and introduced Reconciliation Awareness LINC Lesson (RALL) packages for enhanced Truth and Reconciliation for increased understanding. This is one of many meaningful actions being taken by ISSofBC towards Truth and Reconciliation in partnership with Indigenous consultants.
The ISSofBC social enterprise, Language and Career College (LCC), continued to thrive, achieving its first post-pandemic surplus, maintaining accreditations, witnessing a 30 per cent rise in English as an Additional Language (EAL) enrolment, while meeting the enrolment targets for the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Leadership (TESOL) program.
These achievements would not be possible without our funders, clients, volunteers and staff.
Career Services
Our Impact
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Clients supported by our different Career Services programs, including those still working towards their goals at year-end.
Client outcomes include training, credential, full and part-time employment / self-employment achievements. Those reaching their goals included:
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clients completing skills training.¹
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clients gaining new employment.²
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clients receiving career loans.³
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clients supported to achieve recognition of professional qualifications.⁴
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clients supported to plan or launch their own business.⁵
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Partnerships: Over 280 businesses were assisted to fill their job vacancies through our clients.⁶
¹ From our programs: Career Paths, Global Talent Loans, Gateway to Tourism and Hospitality, Youth in Tech and Tech Women
² From our programs: Job Quest, Career Paths, Global Talent Loans, Gateway to Tourism and Hospitality, Youth in Tech and Tech Women
³ From our program: Global Talent Loans
⁴ From our programs: Career Paths and Global Talent Loans
⁵ From our programs: Business Quest and Ignite
⁶ From our programs: Job Quest, Smart Move, and Gateway to Tourism and Hospitality
“Beyond helping newcomers understand their true talent, and how it can be applied to the Canadian job market, one of my highlights is when a newcomer finally feels at home here. I feel I can relate to this as I am an immigrant myself.”
Yasmin Khan
Career Strategist, Career Paths
“The big bright smiles clients get when they have landed their dream jobs in Canada puts the icing on the cake for me and it fills me with such great joy and pride for this kind of work. It can change the life of newcomers in such a meaningful way.”
Shedeka Richards
Case Manager/Career Strategist, Career Paths/Gateway to Tourism and Hospitality program.
LINC
Our Impact
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LINC students participated in our English language classes at all levels.
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of student respondents stated that their English has improved significantly.
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of student respondents report that they have learned about life in Canada.
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of student respondents have increased their ability to successfully integrate into their local communities.
“It is amazing, I can learn much from the teacher and my classmates, we are from the different places, but we get to be friends because of the English class. We learn not only English but also knowledge about Canada which help us get involved better. Thank ISS, thanks everyone.”Maria – English student, CLB 8, Vancouver
“I like that I can combine classes with my work and find my own time to learn English.”Dany – English student, CLB 7/8, Squamish
LCC
Our Impact
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Students enrolled in language programs.
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Nearly 300 students enrolled in skills training.
“I came to Vancouver as a visitor to study English and took an intensive English course at LCC. The language program helped me be more confident when speaking and writing in English and I learned many Canadian expressions that I use every day!”
Fransico Pineda
LCC student from Mexico
“The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) diploma, along with the hands-on practicum, really honed my teaching approach, making learning more immersive and effective. I was offered a position as an ESL teacher at LCC. With my TESOL diploma and the honour of joining the LCC team, I’m all set to continue inspiring brilliant minds, breaking down language barriers, and making a real impact in the world of education.”
Darin Gharzeddine
TESOL graduate and LCC teacher