Connections francophones : a program to prepare for his arrival in English-speaking Canada

This service will be offered to the holders of the permanent residence outside of Quebec, and also provides access to virtual exhibitions of the job. The next one is planned for 28th November.

to Propose a "single-entry point for French-speaking immigrants accepted in Canada (outside Québec)" : such is the ambition of the programme "Connections francophones". Funded by the ministry of Immigration canada, this service pre-departure - to be offered to francophone immigrants who received their confirmation of permanent residence (or the holders of a number (CUI) - is the result of a collaboration between five partners spread all over the territory (La Cité collégiale, the Federation of francophones of British Columbia, the Federation acadienne de la Nouvelle-Ecosse, the Reception of French-speaking and the body Actions for Intercultural education and development).

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officially Launched in January 2019, the initiative has already helped over 700 people to receive individualised support (advice, workshops, training, installation assistance, etc) and have access to fairs, virtual job - the next is scheduled for 28 November. Explanations and details with Dorra Gdoura, deputy director of The Cité collégiale and responsible for the program "Connections francophones".

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what exactly is the project "Connections francophones" ?

Dorra Gdoura : The purpose of this program is to establish a personalised and complementary services to all francophone immigrants who choose to settle outside of Quebec. Until now, it lacked a front door national to ensure a continuity between the regional partners specialized in the accompaniment of francophone newcomers.

Specifically, we propose first of all to candidates a general information session on Canada as well as a general assessment of their needs. Then, depending on the province chosen by the settler, we refer to our local partners, that will push away even further the assessment of his needs and give him all the specific information on housing, health, employment, school, etc of course, people may change their mind on their drop-off point : in this case, their file is transferred to another partner that will support it.

note that as a pilot project, we opened in march a new office in Morocco, in Rabat, where we offer information sessions. We have also organized time to time in Tunisia, in Algeria and in Senegal because, for the moment, the majority of our customers is in the Maghreb and in Africa.

the beneficiaries of The programme also have the opportunity to participate in trade fairs virtual job...

D. G. : Yes, we offer a approximately every three months. Applicants register and we "recruit" employers depending on the profile of the participants : for example, if we have several clients who are looking for a job in the field of new technologies, we will be seeking a company of the sector lack of manpower. At the last exhibition for the employment, organized at the end of September, twenty employers (including companies such as Canada Post or the cbc) had proposed 135 posts and a little over 400 people had participated in the event.

This system of virtual fair has allowed many candidates to find a job before their arrival in Canada, or very quickly after their installation. Because these shows are first and foremost a networking opportunity : candidates can make themselves known, identify a contact within a company, etc., This is far from being trivial because, in Canada, 80% of the job market is hidden.

to prepare For these virtual exhibitions, we organize workshops on-line training designed to give candidates the "codes" of the professional interview to the canadian : how to present in Canada (all personal information such as age or marital status does not look at the employer), how to go straight to the point, how to put forward his skills to hold the attention of a recruiter, etc

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beyond the question of economic integration, you also propose an accompaniment to cultural differences. Why is this important ?

D. G. : The ultimate goal of "Connections francophones" is that the future immigrant visualizes his arrival, that he knows how things are going to happen once on-site, and the awareness is also achieved through cultural issues : the jokes that can be made here but not there, the words in canadian French differ from the French of France", etc We also explain to prospective immigrants of the main phases of their adaptation, the emotions by which they will undoubtedly pass, the difficulties that they may encounter in their relationship... Because such a project also requires a psychological preparation.