Promoting the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program to Benefit Employers and Employees

April 9, 2018 – St. John’s, NL – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is providing three non-repayable investments totalling more than $787,000 through its Business Development Program to the Association of New Canadians (ANC) and the St. John’s Board of Trade.

Details of the projects are as follows:

Investment– Project Description

$492,572 – The Association of New Canadians

These funds will help the ANC implement pan-provincial programming and provide support for employers and employees interested in participating in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program. The ANC will establish a Satellite Offices Pilot Program, which will include settlement officers in five communities throughout the province to help employers and employees develop a settlement plan, implement a series of settlement supports, and serve as a liaison with employers and agencies delivering pre-arrival services. It will address gaps in employer information and employee endorsement capabilities in rural regions of the province, while ensuring the ongoing supports, which are crucial to the retention of newcomers. The twenty-seven month project will include clearly defined outcomes and indicators to measure success at quarterly intervals.

$172,000 - The Association of New Canadians

This funding supports the implementation of Phase Three of the association’s Diversity Training Initiative. The project will see the consolidation of an existing suite of ANC workshops into a certification program that will be delivered to businesses and community stakeholders throughout the province.  In addition, the ANC will hold a Diversity Summit in Corner Brook, NL during Fall 2018.

$122,925 – The St. John’s Board of Trade

The St. John’s Board of Trade will conduct activities to promote the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.  The project activities will include marketing and promotion, a targeted speaker series, and discussions/partnerships with regional chambers of commerce in key growth centres.