ACCES Launches New Ontario Initiative to Help Newcomer Services Adopt Messaging Platforms
ACCES Employment has launched the SEND (Supports to Engage Newcomers Digitally) Project — a new Ontario initiative helping newcomer-serving organizations add messaging platforms like SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and Facebook Messenger to their client communication toolkit. The project responds to a growing challenge across the sector: newcomers are highly active on mobile messaging apps, yet most service providers still rely on email and phone calls. By integrating these platforms alongside traditional channels, organizations can reduce missed appointments, boost engagement, and reach clients in ways that feel natural and accessible. It also opens new possibilities to connect with prospective clients who […]
Digital Narratives of Newcomer Physicians: Mapping A Journey of Integration and Well-Being
Explore the Digital Narratives of Newcomer Physicians (DiNNP)To design effective workforce development solutions for newcomer physicians, it’s important to first understand their lived experiences, including the challenges and opportunities that shape their journey toward medical licensure or other roles within the healthcare system. These insights help inform supports that meet the specific needs of internationally educated healthcare professionals (IEHPs) and help them move confidently toward healthcare practice. About DiNNP Developed by ACCES Employment in collaboration with Trillium Health Partners’ Institute for Better Health and funded by the Future Skills Centre, the Digital Narratives of Newcomer Physicians (DiNNP) project uses interactive digital […]
Federal Budget 2025: A skilled workforce needed to support nation-building plans
With the federal government’s efforts to bring growth and stability to the Canadian economy, skilled and ready workers who are quickly able to enter the workforce will be integral to overcoming any of the persistent economic challenges Canadians continue to face. Tuesday’s Budget 2025 saw the release of ambitious plans to invest in key areas such as housing, infrastructure, and clean energy, while belt-tightening in others. This nation-building economic agenda must be coupled with corresponding skills and talent policies and programs. “What we need is bold investment and priority given to strengthening a workforce that will help build and execute on those national plans,” says Allison Pond, President and CEO at ACCES Employment. “This means significant skills training, immigration supports, and clear pathways to viable employment. We […]
Now Available: ACCES Employment’s 2024-2025 Annual Report
We are proud to release our 2024–2025 Annual Report, a comprehensive look at another year of remarkable achievements, innovation, and impact in the communities we serve. This year’s report highlights the progress we’ve made in creating a more diverse and skilled workforce across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. Some key highlights include: The launch of the first-ever ACCES Street Fleet, expanding our outreach and access to local communities that are harder to reach Growth and diversification of sector-specific programming in key areas such as agri-tech, healthcare, and skilled trades An expanded employer network, now surpassing 5,200 valued partners A […]
ACCES Employment Secures Future Skills Centre Support to Expand Health English Language Pro (HELP) Program
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 […]
Sue Sadler represents ACCES on global stage to share newcomer workforce integration insights
Last month, our very own Sue Sadler, Senior VP of Services and Program Innovation, represented ACCES Employment on the global stage as part of a SSHRC-funded and Carleton University-led initiative focused on migration and integration. Sue joined scholars, civil society leaders, and Canadian government representatives in Poland and Kazakhstan to share Canada’s experience supporting newcomers—highlighting the critical role organizations like ACCES Employment play in helping refugees and immigrants successfully integrate into the workforce. From a workshop at the SGH Warsaw School of Economics exploring the arrival of Ukrainian refugees to meetings in Astana and Almaty on labour market integration, Sue […]
VERA Chatbot Enhances Employment Support for Jobseekers
Our VERA Chatbot is transforming how jobseekers access employment resources—enhancing accessibility and freeing up staff for personalized support. Featured in a new report by the Toronto East Quadrant Local Immigration Partnership, we are pleased to lead the way in responsible AI innovation. With insights from our VP of Data Strategy, Aimee Holmes, we remain committed to ethical, impactful solutions.
Changes to the Resource & Information (RI) Centre and Business Hours at ACCES
As of Monday, March 3, 2025, the Resource & Information (RI) Centres at each ACCES location will be available to clients who are registered in our programs, who are on a waitlist for our programs, or who are currently being assessed for programming. We will also be changing our business hours to now be open Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and closed on Saturday and Sunday. All new intake assessments must be scheduled in advance and are by appointment only. We continue to welcome clients who can visit accesemployment.ca to register for an info session, call […]
Humber Polytechnic researches ACCES Employment’s approach to expedite labour market integration
Humber Polytechnic has been awarded a $360,000 grant to support their longstanding work with our organization. They have been evaluating the effectiveness of various aspects of our workforce development model, and this funding enables us to examine the 6-pillar model in its entirety. Ultimately, this research will showcase how we address barriers to employment faced by internationally trained professionals (ITPs), as they integrate into a field of work within the Canadian job market that aligns with their previous experience. This evidence-based research supports skilled newcomers in overcoming key barriers such as unfamiliarity with Canadian workplace practices and foreign credential recognition. […]
Mentorship for Success Initiative
Mentorship for Success Initiative About the Project With support from The Metcalf Foundation, ACCES launched the Mentorship for Success research project during Spring, 2023. The initiative has been conducting a detailed and inclusive review of existing mentorship models for a diverse range of entrepreneurs and business owners, including youth, women, racialized individuals, newcomers, and those with a history of mental health and/or addictions. Partner Organizations As the project lead, ACCES has brought together several partner organizations to conduct a comprehensive review of existing mentorship models for entrepreneurs, as well as those benefiting other unique groups. These partners offer […]