MOSAIC Job Options celebrated the Graduations of the 22nd and 23rd Intakes of Job Options program in September and October 2014. Job Options has provided valuable assistance to immigrants from Vancouver and Burnaby who are looking for work. This nine week program consisted of four weeks of classes where participants learned job search strategies, developed resumes and cover letters, learned about the local labour market and practiced interview skills with a mock interview. Weeks 5 – 9 of the program included short term certificate training to enhance their skills before they entered a four week practicum or employment.Participants in this program became very motivated and eager to find jobs in the local community and were happy to share their accolades about this program with friends. Most agreed that working together in a group reduced the loneliness and isolation of job search, and helped them improve language skills and make new friends that they will stay in touch with long after the program.
Quotes from participants:
“It is really sad that this is the last batch for this program. I hope that this program will continue because it has really helped many immigrants who were finding ways to settle here. I am really grateful and blessed to be part of this program.”“The program gives me a chance to make connections, learn many things about Canadians job expectations and improve my self-confidence to get a job. Resume writing skills, Interviewing with employers and workplace expectations were very useful for us to find a job.”“Now I am motivated to find a job and I have more confidence to face with interviewers and employers. It was great for me.”“This is a very good program. I have learned a lot of skills from this program that includes how to write resume and cover letter, how to do interview and how to solve conflict when you work with people. The Instructors are very nice and helpful. The classmates are friendly. I really like this program. It’s really helped me to find a job.”Funding for Job Options will end in December. MOSAIC is hopeful that government will provide funding for future group programs for immigrant job search that will be as successful as Job Options has been.
