The Health Care program is designed to provide a bridge for newcomers with health care education and experience in their home countries to employment in the Canadian health care industry. The program provides newcomers (CLB 5+ with permanent resident status) with the opportunity to combine learning English and learning essential skills to help integrate them into the Prince Edward Island health care field.

Doctors, nurses, care workers, dentists, dental hygienists, pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians, are examples of health care providers who would be eligible for this program. 

The program provides participants with increased English language proficiency in all four CLB areas – reading, writing, listening, speaking, and gives them health care knowledge, experience, and connections in the Canadian and P.E.I. health care sector. Participants receive hands-on training in a relevant health care field during a placement.

WHEN CAN YOU START TAKING THE HEALTH CARE PROGRAM?

The program is delivered in-person during the day. It is a full-time class of 25 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Student enrolment operates year-round on continuous intake, and students can enroll in the health care class after completing the following steps:

Step 1:  Meet the requirements for and register as a client at the Immigrant & Refugee Services Association PEI (IRSA). Embed:  

Step 2:  Complete the free Canadian Language Benchmarks Placement Test (CLBPT). Contact Reem Sicoe from IRSA PEI at jaime@irsapei.ca or 902-628-6009 to make an appointment for your placement test. Based on the results of the CLBPT, students are placed on a waiting list to attend classes.

MOTHERS AND BABIES LINC CLASS

Mothers and Babies LINC Class is a special language and cultural training program designed so that newcomer mothers with infants up to 18 months old can learn English in a safe and child-friendly environment. Mothers are given basic language skills through working in a small group and keeping their infants in the same room. In this program, mothers will:

• Develop language skills for everyday communication in the community
• Increase knowledge and understanding of Canadian culture, community life and positive parenting
• Break the mother’s social isolation and to promote independence in daily life

Instruction focuses on the language and communication skills newcomers need for successful  settlement in the community, positive parenting experiences and further integration in mainstream LINC classes. Curriculum content includes practical communication skills such as telephone use, reading and singing for babies, communicating with various community agencies, and completing basic personal information forms.

Privacy is provided for breastfeeding mothers and there is an in-class aide to assist with childcare.  There is also an on-site childcare centre for children of LINC students to attend while their parents are in class. This offers quality childcare by licensed professionals to children from 19 months to 5 years old. 

WHEN CAN YOU START TAKING THE MOTHERS AND BABIES LINC CLASSES?

This program is delivered in-person during the day. It is a part-time class, offering 15 hours a week from Monday to Friday in either the morning or afternoon, depending on the student's CLB level. Student enrolment operates year-round on continuous intake. Students can enroll after completing the following steps:

Step 1: Register as a client at the Immigrant & Refugee Services Association PEI (IRSA).

Step 2:  Complete the free Canadian Language Benchmarks Placement Test (CLBPT). Contact Reem Sicoe from IRSA PEI at jaime@irsapei.ca or 902-628-6009 to make an appointment for your placement test. Based on the results of the CLBPT, students are placed on a waiting list by level of English to attend classes.

 
CARE FOR NEWCOMER CHILDREN

Care for Newcomer Children (CNC) is an onsite childcare centre providing high-quality childcare to newcomer children, ages 19 months to 5 years old during the time their parent or parents are taking LINC classes. The program is led by qualified Early Childhood Educators and designed to support early childhood development, as well as to promote English language learning. Activities include singing and dancing, arts and crafts, reading stories and playing games in the yard.

SUMMER DAY CAMP

Summer day camps provide high-quality childcare to newcomer children, ages 5 to 12 years, during the time their parent or parents are taking LINC classes.  The program is led by qualified Early Childhood Educators and designed to support childhood development, as well as promote English language learning.

Activities are matched to age and ability and include games, sports, music, crafts and trips to the park.