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Arrive Ready

Pre-Arrival Program

Received your pre-arrival letter?
Your next step: Register with Skills for Change.

What Is Arrive Ready?

For over 40 years, Skills for Change has helped newcomers build new lives in Canada, offering settlement support, job search tools, language training, and more. We understand that starting fresh in a new country is a big journey, and we are here to guide and support you at every step.

The Arrive Ready program offers free online services designed to support individuals approved for immigration to Canada. These services provide essential information to help newcomers prepare for their transition, including guidance on employment, settlement resources, and life in Canada.

While you may feel ready for your move, there is always more to learn. Many newcomers assume they are fully prepared but often realize after arriving in Canada that they could have benefited from additional support. That’s where Arrive Ready comes in. As you take this life-changing step toward becoming a permanent resident, our pre-arrival services are here to ensure you feel confident and informed every step of the way.

Don’t miss out on resources that could make your transition smoother and more successful.

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Employment Workshops

Arrive Ready offers a comprehensive suite of online employment workshops to help pre-arrival clients prepare for the Canadian job market. These workshops cover everything from building Canadian-style resumes using AI tools to exploring occupation-specific programs and employment supports. Participants gain clarity on career goals, improve their job search strategies, and build confidence in showcasing their skills.

We also host two virtual job fairs per month, each focused on a priority sector, to connect employers with skilled refugees. Personalized employer-candidate matching and targeted employment readiness sessions ensure participants are equipped with the tools they need to navigate Canada’s labour market successfully.

Two women sit at a wooden conference table, smiling and engaged in conversation; one with a notepad and pen, the other with a laptop in front of her, against a brick wall background.

Employment Counselling

Our employment counselling services help you identify career pathways that align with your skills, qualifications, and interests. Through one-on-one support, our vocational counselors provide tailored guidance, including resume preparation to meet Canadian standards, job search strategies, and mock interviews. For those entering regulated professions, we offer expert support on the Foreign Credential Recognition process, including licensure requirements and referrals to regulatory bodies.

Whether you are exploring new opportunities or working toward credential recognition, we help you make informed decisions about your future in Canada. Flexible service hours and online delivery ensure access no matter your location.

Two women sitting at a wooden table, engaged in a conversation, with a brick wall background, one of them holding a tablet.

Mentoring

Through our mentoring program, clients are matched with industry-specific professionals who provide personalized guidance on settling in Canada and navigating their career paths. One-on-one and group mentoring sessions offer support in job search strategies, resume development, networking, and understanding Canadian workplace culture.

These sector-focused connections help clients build professional networks even before arriving, reducing feelings of isolation and setting the foundation for career success. By the time they land in Canada, clients are better prepared to pursue meaningful employment opportunities with confidence.

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Oral Interpretation

Arrive Ready ensures accessible and inclusive service delivery by providing oral interpretation support for pre-arrival clients when needed. Interpretation services are available to help clients understand essential information, access critical services, and communicate effectively with staff.

Interpretation support may include phone interpretation, live interpreters for scheduled appointments or group sessions, and real-time interpretation via platforms like Zoom. For written needs, clients can access certified document translations, including resumes, reference letters, and educational transcripts. Referrals to French-language service providers are also available to support Francophone clients.

This approach ensures that all clients, regardless of language, receive the guidance they need for a smooth transition to life in Canada.

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Written Translation

Arrive Ready recognizes the importance of accessible written communication for clients from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

Translation support is provided to ensure clients can fully engage with the program’s materials and communications in their preferred language. This includes translation of website landing pages, outreach materials, administrative documents, client correspondence, and other key resources.

Support also includes referrals to French-language service providers, such as Le Guichet Unique, for Francophone clients.

Find out if you are eligible to apply

Skills for Change provides free pre arrival services to individuals who have been approved for permanent residency of Canada.

Eligibility Checker


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From your responses, it seems you are eligible! Please proceed to sign-up here, and someone from the pre-arrival team will get in touch with you soon.
Unfortunately, you don't seem to be eligible for our pre-arrival services. Here is a list of all the other services Skills for Change offers. You might be eligible for one or more of these. If you would still like to get in touch with a pre-arrival case agent then you can email them at prearrival@skillsforchange.org

  • “Keep doing the work to help new and old Canadians, and immigrants to achieve success.”

    -M.G.

  • “Thank you so much for great work supporting newcomers like myself. You did make a difference in my life. It could be a completely different story without your support. Thank you very much, I appreciate it a lot!”

    -M.O.

  • “You guys at SfC rock! You helped me a lot to prepare for my job search in Toronto. Thank you!!!”

    -J.O.

FAQs

  • The program is designed for individuals and families who have been approved to immigrate to Canada by IRCC.

  • Participants will receive employment workshops, one-on-one career counselling, mentoring, credential recognition support, mental health services, oral and written translation, and access to a pre-arrival virtual conference.

  • All services are delivered virtually through staff-led online sessions, including employment counselling, workshops, mentoring, and interpretation support. Flexible scheduling is offered to accommodate different time zones.

  • Clients will get guidance on Canadian-style resumes, job search strategies, mock interviews, information about regulated professions, credential recognition, and access to virtual job fairs and industry mentors.

  • Yes. Oral interpretation and written translation support are available when essential. Services are tailored to individual needs, with referrals made to French-language providers as needed.

  • Yes. The program includes culturally responsive mental health services, including short-term counselling, mental wellness workshops, and referrals, all delivered with trauma-informed and anti-oppressive approaches.