The model consists of three main components:
1) The first component is in-class workshops for portfolio building and career development to help newcomer women develop career pathways and action plans that best fit their skills and needs. The objective is to provide a supportive environment where participants can:
- Identify and document their technical skills and essential skills;
- Identify skill requirements related to potential targeted occupations with reference to the Government of Canada’s “Essential skills profiles by occupation”;
- Build a realistic career action plan based on the match between assessed skill levels and required occupational skill levels; and
- Learn how to present their portfolio using the language of Canadian employers to communicate and engage with them effectively.
2) The second component is an essential skills enhancement training program. Ideally, the identified career pathways and action plan would require no further essential skills training for participants. For participants who do not need the training, they would move directly to the third component. But for those who could benefit from some upgrading of their essential skills, they would have the option to receive such training. Although the duration and length of the training will depend on the services offered by the training providers and the chosen career and needs of the participants, it is expected that a suitable career pathway should not require lengthy nor substantial skills upgrading. Thus, this component is intended to take between 2 and 10 weeks, depending on the learner’s needs.
3) The third component of the model provides ways for participants to connect with employers. The objective is to build participants’ professional networks and relationships with employers in their targeted sector to further their career goals. It introduces participants to effective ways to reach employers.
