We’re pleased to announce that our Health English Language Pro (HELP) program is one of 35 initiatives that have been awarded funding through a $7.6 million investment by the Future Skills Centre, funded by the Government of Canada’s Future Skills program.
HELP connects internationally trained newcomer physicians with experienced volunteer physicians to enhance their medical language and communication skills and deepen their understanding of Canadian healthcare systems. This investment builds on the strong foundation we established alongside Dr. Eva Grunfeld and our partners across the medical community. Since the launch of HELP, 70 partnerships have been created between volunteer and newcomer physicians across Canada, with physicians in BC, Alberta, Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
With support from the Future Skills Centre, we are enhancing the program’s capacity to create meaningful connections between volunteer and newcomer physicians. By collaborating with key healthcare stakeholders, we are creating an environment where physicians across Canada can share knowledge, support integration, and help newcomer physicians enter the healthcare workforce. Our ongoing collaboration with researchers at York University and Trillium Health Partners’ Institute for Better Health will continue to explore these interactions and help us accelerate the program’s impact.
Every relationship built through HELP brings us one step closer to a more inclusive, and confident healthcare workforce—one that benefits patients, providers, and the communities they serve.
As Allison Pond, President and CEO of ACCES Employment states “we are proud to lead this important work and be a partner in creating better access to healthcare for all Canadians. Through the HELP program, we are creating meaningful opportunities for newcomer physicians to contribute their skills to the Canadian healthcare system while engaging licensed physicians in a powerful, collaborative model. This investment from the Future Skills Centre allows us to scale a program that is inclusive by design, innovative in its delivery, and grounded in the measurable impact it creates for individuals and the health sector as a whole.”
“Newcomer professionals bring critical skills and experience to Canada’s workforce, and targeted programs like HELP ensure they can contribute fully and confidently to high-demand sectors like healthcare,” says Noel Baldwin, Executive Director of the Future Skills Centre. “This initiative reflects the kind of inclusive, sector-responsive innovation needed to strengthen our health systems and build a more resilient economy.”
This is an important opportunity for Canada to step forward. By focusing on the priorities essential to a resilient economy and workforce, the HELP program is part of our commitment to meet labour market needs across sectors and regions and supporting successful career transitions into in-demand roles.
To learn more about the HELP program and its impact, visit https://accesemployment.ca/programs/bridging-and-sector-specific-programs/help-program
