Holland College has been selected as a key partner in the Skills Enhancement for Newcomers program, an initiative aimed at preparing newcomers to Canada to better enter the workforce.

Through this two-year national program, delivered by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) and funded by the Government of Canada's Skills for Success program, the college will provide training in the form of microcredentials, which are short, flexible courses, to equip newcomers with the essential skills sought after by Canadian employers.

Moving to a new country presents exciting opportunities, but it can also pose unique challenges for newcomers seeking meaningful employment. Holland College is addressing these challenges by offering three microcredentials focused on communication, collaboration, and adaptability—skills necessary to thrive in Canadian workplaces. These microcredentials will complement the existing professional skills of newcomers and provide them with an understanding of Canadian workplace nuances.

The microcredentials are offered at no cost to eligible newcomers. All course content has been validated by industry partners to ensure participants acquire the skills most sought after by employers. The courses can be completed online, at each participant’s own pace, making learning convenient and accessible. At the completion of each microcredential, participants will receive a certificate or badge validating their training.

The program is open to individuals who are at least 18 years old and fall under the category of newcomers, which includes Canadian citizens, refugees, or permanent residents who have been living in Canada for less than five years, as well as newcomers who have received an invitation for permanent residency but have not yet arrived in Canada.

Holland College President, Dr. Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald said the training will enable newcomers to enter the workforce quickly and ease their transition into Canadian life.

“For more than 50 years Holland College has trained the Island workforce to meet the changing demands of industry. By providing newcomers to the province with the essential skills they need, we are continuing that tradition, and providing employers with access to a diverse talent pool of workers with global experience,” he said.

Interested newcomers can register for a microcredential by visiting this page. For further inquiries and information, please contact Melissa Peters at melpeters@hollandcollege.com  or by phone at 902-894-6847.