employment skills &
training
Start a new career
New to the job search, or thinking about starting your own business? Start with the drop-in clinic. When you are ready to train for a specific field, these programs help you build the skills and find entry-level work. They are open to women building their English, and no Canadian background is needed.
Drop-In Employment and Entrepreneurship Clinic
What it is: Free, drop-in support to find a job or start your own business. No appointment needed. Walk in and get started.
Who it’s for: All immigrant women. No eligibility restrictions. Barrier free and drop-in friendly.
How it runs: Drop in, no appointment.
Contact: EandEclinic@ciwa.org, 403-263-4414 ext. 250 (Myla Felipe)
What you can gain:
- Employment support: resume and cover letter guidance, job search strategies, interview preparation, and digital skills
- Entrepreneurship support: guidance to start a small business or micro enterprise, business planning and marketing, financial literacy, and connections to micro lending and business networks
- Skills-building workshops: workplace readiness, workplace rights, Canadian workplace culture, and small business essentials
- Mentorship and networking: connections to employers and entrepreneurs, guest speakers from Calgary’s business community, and peer support
- Connections to more than 230 partners
Learn more: Drop-In Employment and Entrepreneurship Clinic flyer link
Quote:
[No testimonial in the source. Add one, with consent, when available.]
Funded By
Childcare Training Pathway
What it is: Train for a career in childcare, with classroom learning and a work placement. Offered with Bow Valley College.
Who it’s for: Permanent residents or citizens. Less than 12 years of schooling.
English level: CLB 3 to 5
Length: 26 weeks of in-class training, plus 4 weeks of work placement in a childcare setting.
2026 intakes: August 10, 2026 to March 19, 2027.
Contact: childcaretraining1@ciwa.org, 403-263-4414 ext. 291 (Farzana Mubashir)
What you can gain:
- Foundational knowledge in childcare, child development, and communication
- Occupational English language training
- Workplace essential skills, including teamwork, problem solving, and time management
- Interview and resume preparation
- Computer training and digital skills
Apply: [Registration or application form link, supplied by CIWA]
Learn more: Program flyer link, supplied by CIWA
You’ll earn: Level 1 Early Childhood Educator, and First Aid and CPR.
Quote:
[No testimonial in the source. Add one, with consent, when available.]
Funded By
Culinary Skills Training
What it is: Prepare for entry-level jobs in the food industry, such as cook, prep cook, and kitchen helper.
Who it’s for: Permanent residents or Convention Refugees.
English level: CLB 5 to 6
Length: 12 weeks, full-time.
2026 intakes: April, August, and November 2026.
Contact: culinaryskillstraining@ciwa.org, 403-263-4414 ext. 270 (Ketaki Wani)
What you can gain:
- Cooking techniques, kitchen operation, and food preparation
- Knife skills, safety, and sanitation
- Occupational English language training
- Workplace essential skills and Canadian job culture
- Interview and resume skills
Apply: [Registration or application form link, supplied by CIWA]
Learn more: Program flyer link, supplied by CIWA
You’ll earn: Alberta Advanced Safety Food Certificate, and WHMIS.
Quote:
[No testimonial in the source. Add one, with consent, when available.]
Funded By
Customer Service Skills Training
What it is: Prepare for front-line customer service and sales roles in Canada, with up to six months of support to help you secure employment.
Who it’s for: Permanent residents or Convention Refugees. Unemployed or underemployed.
English level: CLB 5 to 6
Length: 12 weeks, full-time.
2026 intakes: April, August, and November 2026.
Contact: customerservicetraining@ciwa.org, 403-263-4414 ext. 249 (Kemi Oke)
What you can gain:
- How to deliver strong front-desk customer service
- Problem solving and technical skills
- Sales techniques and cash register operations
- Canadian workplace culture and workplace English
- Digital skills: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
Apply: [Registration or application form link, supplied by CIWA]
Learn more: Program flyer link, supplied by CIWA
Quote:
Joining the customer service training at CIWA was the best decision I made in 2025. I came in not knowing how to write a Canadian-style resume, with no Canadian experience and a weak elevator pitch. With the training and support of my instructors and counsellors, I landed a customer success role at a tech company within two months. I will always recommend CIWA to immigrant women.
– Anita
Funded By
Hospitality Training
What it is: Build the skills, confidence, and experience to succeed in the hospitality and tourism industry in Canada. Offered with SAIT.
Who it’s for: Permanent residents or Convention Refugees. Unemployed or underemployed women not receiving EI, with no previous Canadian academic credentials.
English level: CLB 6 or higher
Length: 12 weeks, including 4 weeks of hands-on work experience.
2026 intakes: June 1, 2026 and September 28, 2026.
Contact: hospitalitytraining@ciwa.org, 403-263-4414 ext. 369 or 170 (Arefin Azam)
What you can gain:
- Integrated hospitality and occupational skills training
- English language development
- Essential workplace skills
- Computer skills enhancement
- Employment counselling and coaching
- Job placement and retention support
Apply: [Registration or application form link, supplied by CIWA]
Learn more: Program flyer link, supplied by CIWA
Quote:
[No testimonial in the source. Add one, with consent, when available.]
Funded By
Security Guard Training
What it is: Gain the skills and training to start a career in the security industry, and prepare for work as a licensed security guard in Alberta.
Who it’s for: Permanent residents or Convention Refugees.
English level: CLB 5 to 6
Length: 6 weeks, full-time.
2026 intakes: April and October 2026.
Contact: securityguardtraining@ciwa.org, 403-263-4414 ext. 267 (Tyler Zurowski)
What you can gain:
- Understanding the Canadian legal system
- Emergency response procedures
- Communication skills for security professionals
- Health and safety standards in the workplace
- Observation and situational awareness
- Writing clear and accurate incident reports
Apply: [Registration or application form link, supplied by CIWA]
Learn more: Program flyer link, supplied by CIWA
You’ll earn: Alberta Basic Security Training (ABST) licence.
Quote:
[No testimonial in the source. Add one, with consent, when available.]
Funded By
Rebuild your professional career
These programs are for women who trained as professionals before coming to Canada. They help you gain Canadian workplace knowledge and return to your field.
Bridging the Gap for Accountants
What it is: Return to accounting and finance work in Canada, with the training and connections to step confidently into the sector. If you have been told you need Canadian experience, this program helps you build it.
Who it’s for: Educated in accounting or finance, preferably with at least one year of professional experience outside Canada. Unemployed or underemployed.
English level: CLB 7 or higher
Length: 12 weeks, full-time.
2026 intakes: April, August, and November 2026.
Contact: bridgingthegap@ciwa.org, 403-263-4414 ext. 143 (Ashpreet Kaur)
What you can gain:
- Industry-ready technical skills: QuickBooks, Simply Accounting (Sage), Xero, and Advanced MS Excel
- Accounting terminology and communication for the workplace
- Essential professional skills and digital tools used by Canadian employers
- One-on-one employment counselling
- Resume and interview coaching, and job search strategy
- Employer connections
Apply: [Registration or application form link, supplied by CIWA]
Learn more: Program flyer link, supplied by CIWA
Quote:
The program was comprehensive, offering in-depth training on Canadian workplace culture, accounting practices, software, and digital skills. I also received invaluable career guidance, including resume building, interview preparation, and networking tailored to immigrant women. What impressed me the most was the level of personalized support, which helped me gain confidence and clarity in my career direction. I’m incredibly grateful to CIWA for their commitment to empowering immigrant women and for being a part of my success story.
– Grace
Funded By
Office Skills for STEM Professionals
What it is: For professionals in science, technology, engineering, and math, build the workplace, language, and digital skills to succeed in the Canadian workforce across different professional fields.
Who it’s for: STEM professionals with post-secondary education, preferably with one year of professional experience outside Canada.
English level: CLB 7 or higher
Length: 12 weeks, full-time.
2026 intakes: April, August, and November 2026.
Contact: careerservices@ciwa.org, 403-263-4414 ext. 229 (Marie-Solange Evehe)
What you can gain:
- Essential skills to integrate into Canadian office culture
- English language development, with a focus on professional communication
- Digital skills: MS Office Suite, Prezi and Canva, Power BI, cloud storage, SharePoint, Google Workspace, and digital forms
- Job search and career planning support
- Individualized labour market analysis and action plan
Apply: [Registration or application form link, supplied by CIWA]
Learn more: Program flyer link, supplied by CIWA
Quote:
Before joining the Office Skills Training for STEM program, I felt technically capable but unsure how to navigate the Canadian workplace as a newcomer. The program gave me practical skills, confidence, and insight into workplace culture. One month after finishing, I received a job offer and have been working in my field at a fintech company.
– Beatriz
Funded By
Training for Translators and Interpreters
What it is: You speak more than one language. That is not just a talent, it is a professional asset. Turn your multilingual ability into a paid, respected profession in Canada.
Who it’s for: Proficient in more than one language, with a high school or post-secondary education. If you have been volunteering as an interpreter or helping your community informally, this is your chance to formalize your skills.
English level: CLB 7 or higher
Length: 14 weeks, including 2 weeks of practicum.
2026 intakes: April, August, and November 2026.
Contact: interpretationtraining@ciwa.org, 403-263-4414 ext. 181 (Maria Farias)
What you can gain:
- Expert-led classes by professional interpreters and translators
- Preparation for the CILISAT and the Community Interpreter (CI) exam
- Translation strategies, glossary building, and terminology management
- Proofreading and editing skills
- Microsoft Office and translation software training
- Job search strategies, and guidance on starting your own interpretation or translation business
Apply: [Registration or application form link, supplied by CIWA]
Learn more: Program flyer link, supplied by CIWA
Quote:
Through the program, I gained the foundations to become a professional interpreter and translator. It changed my life and connected me with amazing people. It gave me a renewed sense of purpose, letting me serve my community and help others access essential information when they need it most.
– Yazmin
Funded By
Stories from our community
Real stories from women in our employment programs..
Frequently Asked Questions
Are CIWA Settlement Services free?
Yes. All CIWA Settlement Services are provided free of charge to eligible newcomers and community members.
Who can access Settlement Services?
CIWA is a nonprofit organization that supports immigrant and refugee women, girls, and their families through a wide range of settlement, language, employment, and community programs.
Can I receive support in my own language?
CIWA is a nonprofit organization that supports immigrant and refugee women, girls, and their families through a wide range of settlement, language, employment, and community programs.
What kind of help can I receive?
CIWA is a nonprofit organization that supports immigrant and refugee women, girls, and their families through a wide range of settlement, language, employment, and community programs.
