Leaders
in Employment
Dedicated to building a fully inclusive labour force that reflects Canada’s diversity, skills and experience
Uniquely positioned to fuel stability for Canada’s economy
Canadians understand the value of immigration to our country and our economy. With almost all of our population growth now dependent on immigration, Canada is welcoming 500,000 newcomers a year. But while immigrants fuel our economy and can bring the skills employers need, they continue to face barriers to employment. Racialized minorities and immigrants experience greater unemployment and underemployment in lower paying jobs, creating an immigrant wage gap estimated to cost Canada’s economy $50 billion a year.
In this context, ACCES Employment’s significant contributions to newcomers and the Canadian economy are underscored.
Our infrastructure, programs, and relationships built over 37 years mean we are uniquely positioned to ensure the integration into the labour market of skilled immigrants who are so critical to Canada’s success.
Our work is important to Canada’s future, and particularly right now.
We’re setting newcomers up for success even before they arrive. We’re pivoting quickly to help refugees and asylum claimants fleeing conflict and fear of persecution in their own countries. We’re providing options for newcomers who want to come to our largest cities, helping them settle successfully and work in smaller urban and rural communities all across Canada. We’re anticipating labour market needs, and adapting our programs to sectors such as healthcare, trades, and STEM. We’re bringing employers into the conversation, working with industry to tailor our programs. We’re helping entrepreneurs create jobs for themselves and others.
We’ll stay innovative in our workforce development, always learning and providing our expertise, no matter what shape the economy takes.
We value our country’s diversity. We benefit from our differences. And we want everyone who comes here to thrive.
ACCES Employment is about more than just a job. We see a world where newcomers are able to live their best lives, finding stability despite the uncertainty. A world where we have a fully inclusive labour force reflecting Canada’s diversity, skills, and experience. We see a world where everyone contributes to and shares in our country’s prosperity.
We thank our government funders, corporate sponsors, donors, employers and community partners for helping us make our vision a reality. We also want to thank our incredible staff who lead and deliver on our mission each day.
We also extend our gratitude to our outgoing Board Chair Brian G. Bachand for his incredible contributions, leadership and guidance. Brian shared our passion for a prosperous, diverse Canada and he brought us closer to achieving that vision with inspiration and fortitude.
President & CEO
ACCES Employment
Andrea Robertson
Vice-Chair, Acting Chair of the Board
ACCES Employment
Our Commitment
to Inclusion
Land Acknowledgement
In the Greater Toronto Area where we operate, we acknowledge this land is the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples, and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
As we carry out our mission to support all jobseekers, many of whom are recent immigrants to Canada, we embrace our responsibility to learn about the history and culture of Indigenous communities, the past and present harm, and the impact of colonialism. We are committed to working together towards building a more inclusive, just and equitable future.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
Our commitment to diversity and anti-racism includes creating a workplace and culture where everyone feels respected and included, where different perspectives are welcomed and valued.
Canada is one of the most diverse countries in the world with immigrants speaking more than 450 languages coming here from nearly 200 countries to build new lives. However, newcomers continue to face many challenges finding and maintaining employment. Various equity-deserving groups also face significant barriers.
Skills, language or cultural barriers, in addition to understanding systems and norms, gaining access to labour market information, and making new contacts, all combine to make the jobseeker experience complex.
Because we champion diversity, we strive to achieve equity and inclusion in everything we do.
SUCCESS STORIES
“The warm and inspiring atmosphere, coupled with exceptional instructors and a comprehensive curriculum, made me feel welcomed and equipped to tackle any challenge. I am grateful for the opportunities ACCES opened up for me. Thank you for providing such an amazing program and being an integral part of my success story.”
CHAPTER 1
Collaborating
for Growth
We’re expanding our partnerships locally and nationally to connect more newcomers with our vast network of employers. With increased immigration to Canada, we continue to support greater numbers of jobseekers, expanding our impact through more partnerships and diversified sources of funding.
- Employment Ontario
- Connecting newcomers
- Helping refugees find good jobs
- Sector-specific programs
Helping people launch their own businesses
Pre-Arrival program
Through the Entrepreneurship Connections Pre-Arrival program, we served 525 people before they arrived in Canada by providing one-to-one business advice, webinars, guest speakers and introductions to start-up supports in cities across Canada.
Helping people launch their own businesses
Connections program
Fifty-eight per cent of the 114 clients who completed the Entrepreneurship Connections program started a business in year one as they learned all aspects of start-ups, from validating a good idea to pitching to potential investors, marketing, creating a business plan and business operations.
This program also included a specialized stream assisting 237 recent Ukrainian arrivals. They received tailored services in their own language to help them start a business in Canada.
Research partnership supporting entrepreneurs
A research project called Mentorship for Success was funded by The Metcalfe Foundation, focused on the importance of mentorship for low-income and newcomer entrepreneurs, with findings and recommendations on ways to advocate for more critical funding.
CHAPTER 2
Engaging
our Partners
and Donors
We're creating new programs, engaging with our donors, and diversifying our funding to help jobseekers find employment success.
- World Of Difference
- Toronto Pearson ready-to-work
- TD Ready Commitment
- IBM SkillsBuild
- Partnership with Upskill Canada
56k+
Jobseekers Served
chapter 3
Amplifying
Our Stories
The individual success stories of our clients help demonstrate the effectiveness of our services. We’re achieving more than 300,000 engagements through our marketing and communications efforts annually, and we continue to measure and monitor our brand, reach and engagement so that we can track our performance and expand our reach even further.
We’re grateful for the guidance of our Stakeholder Advisory Council, 18 leaders from across sectors who help us grow awareness, engagement and sponsorship. Our first annual volunteer appreciation event was an opportunity to thank our advisors and plan for the future and has now been established as an annual event.
SUCCESS STORIES
“The Supply Chain Connections program was a game-changer for me. It gave me the confidence and knowledge I needed to navigate the Canadian job market and secure a position in my field.”
chapter 4
Innovating for
Impact
The world of work is changing and so too is our sector, and our organization.
We’re also keeping pace with emerging trends in employment and technologies so that our organization and our clients can respond with flexibility and resilience in our fast-moving times.
We’re leveraging opportunities for newcomers by responding to gaps in the labour market in fields such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and technology by connecting jobseekers with employers looking for talent in high-demand sectors.
Keeping pace with emerging trends
Activating change through partnership
We’re demonstrating leadership in the newcomer skills ecosystem, sharing our insights and vast experience in newcomer employment with other not-for-profits doing similar work across Canada.
We also participated in a year-long strategic initiative led by LIFT Impact Partners and funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Working with other national service providers, the goal was to create greater impact as we integrate newcomer talent into the Canadian labour market.
Early Childhood Education
We’re responding to a fast-growing need for early childhood educators. We’re partnering with the Region of Peel, Humber College and Sheridan College to offer a 16-month program that leads disadvantaged jobseekers to a college diploma in Early Childhood Education and employment in the field.
Healthcare Sector
SUCCESS STORIES
“A big thank you to ACCES. I found the staff friendly and supportive. I completed the program feeling prepared and confident to navigate the Canadian job market. I recommend ACCES to everyone.”
chapter 5
Leading by
Example
SUCCESS STORIES
"ACCES Employment provided invaluable counselling and support when I arrived from New Delhi. They helped me find clarity and direction for my career. For newcomers, I recommend researching before arrival and using ACCES to navigate the job market."
chapter 6
Financial Health
As a non-profit, charitable organization, we are committed to the effective stewardship of funds. We also adhere to high standards of transparency and accountability in reporting on our impact and our financial health to our funders, donors, sponsors, and our community.
2023-2024
CHAPTER 7
A Robust Future
for Canada
Canada’s future depends on a robust economy fuelled by a strong workforce. ACCES Employment’s work is a critical component of our country’s success.
History has shown us that a churning economy being disrupted by technology and shifting geopolitical forces can create uncertainty for the job market and those trying to secure employment.
For over 37 years, we have been a trusted resource for immigrants, providing the supports necessary to help them find their place in the labour market and in the country. Our services are a constant amid the economic and social shifts.
As we look to the future, we want to express our deep gratitude to the funders and sponsors who support us to drive positive change in the employment sector.
