The Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS)

The Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) program places settlement workers from community agencies in elementary and secondary schools that have high numbers of newcomer students.

There are 11 SWIS programs active in Ontario, approximately 250 settlement workers from 22 settlement agencies based in 22 school boards. SWIS is funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Each SWIS program is guided by a Steering Committee that meets quarterly to address project issues and plan new services. Each steering committee adopts operational guidelines and has representation from the school boards, the settlement agency(s) and Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Each program adopts its own name. Collectively, they are known as SWIS programs.

The settlement worker:

•proactively contacts newcomer parents (and youth in secondary schools) to assist them with their settlement needs;
•refers the families to more specialized community resources as needed;
•provides group information sessions for newcomer youth and parents, often in partnership with school staff,
•provides orientation about the settlement needs of newcomers for school staff.

During the summer when schools are closed, SWIS workers are placed in other locations in the community, such as public libraries, where newcomers are likely to encounter them.

For additional information goto:
http://swisontario.ca/Find-Swis

Immigration in Canada Blog URL
http://immigration-in-canada.blogspot.com/

Canadian Foreign Worker Immigration Scam

The RCMP have charged the directors of an Alberta company for a $1-million scam that brought in over 60 foreign workers as students, then hired them out to northern Alberta companies.

The 60 polish workers were told to sign a contract threatening a $25,000 fine and deportation from Canada for any breaches and instructed not to discuss their wages. Some of the Polish welders who couldn’t read the English on their visas discovered a Polish-speaker in a grocery store and were told about their student status.

Police say Kihew Energy Services Ltd. recruited welders and machinists in a Polish newspaper and brought them to Alberta, and had someone send letters to Canada Immigration confirming the workers as welding and ESL students then pocketed over $1 million of their wages in just six months.

For the full story go to
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Alberta+company+charged+foreign+worker+scam+Police+Kihew+Energy+Services+brought+Polish+welders/4957625/story.html

Canada Visa Information

Go directly to the Canadian government for student visa information. You can apply directly and do not require an agent or legal advisor to complete the student visa application form.

Obtaining your own visa is an excellent learning opportunity of understanding how the government works (or doesn't). Practice your English, ask for information, ask for advice, start the student visa application process correctly. Have confidence in your ability to obtain a Canadian student visa directly.

• 
  The main link to the Government of Canada Website



• 
  The link page to the Canadian Government websites directory



• The link page to Canadian Embassies and Consulates



• The link page to Canada Citizenship and Immigration visitor services.



• Link page to the list of countries which require visitor visas to enter or transit Canada



• Link to the Canada visitor visa application form, download from this page.



• Link to studying in Canada information overview.



• 
  Link to the free Canada student visa application form, download from this page.



• Link to the Temporary Foreign Worker Overview Information and Application.



• Link to Jobs in Canada lists that DO NOT require a work permit.

A study permit is not required if the course or study program lasts six months or less. This document is based on the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act as passed on November 1, 2001, and its proposed Regulations, scheduled to be implemented on June 28, 2002.

Ottawa, April 27, 2006 - Foreign students studying in Canada can apply for off-campus work permits effective immediately, the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, announced today.

Foreign students contribute approximately $4 billion a year to Canada's economy. There are about 100,000 foreign students in Canada who could be eligible for work permits under the Off-Campus Work Permit Program.

The program is not intended to take jobs away from Canadian students. Each applicant will be required to compete for employment on an equal basis with Canadians.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has signed agreements with most provinces to implement the program, and agreements with New Brunswick and the Yukon are currently being finalized. The agreements allow eligible foreign students at public post-secondary institutions to work off-campus for up to 20 hours a week during the school year and full-time during study breaks.

Eligible foreign students can apply for an off-campus work permit immediately, and may be able to work off-campus as early as this summer. The work permit is valid for the duration of their study permit.

"CIC is working in cooperation with the provinces and territories to make Canada a destination of choice by making it easier for foreign students to work in Canada during and after their studies," said Minister Solberg. "Off-campus work agreements will make it easier for students to gain work experience in the Canadian labour market and earn extra income while studying," he said.

The Canadian Federation of Students, the Fédération étudiante universitaire du Québec, the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, who have all been consulted on the initiative, support efforts to make it easier for foreign students to work in Canada.

"With Canadian work experience, foreign students will be able to integrate into the Canadian labour force more quickly. This will help address skilled labour shortages in Canada," said Minister Solberg.

ESL in Canada Internship Preparation Program The internship preparation program is open to new Canadians, LINC graduates, international work/study visa students, students preparing for business school, students preparing for career training, graduates preparing for work in English speaking workplaces, job seekers who need to improve their business English, job candidates who need Canadian work experience or Canadian work references.

Link to Internship Training Program Information

Original Post: http://www.eslincanada.com/visainfo.html