Success Stories - Language Training Helps to Build a New Life

September 2008

Elaine holds a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. In September 2007, she immigrated to Canada from the Philippines, in search of opportunity.

Building her career in the Philippines was a challenge for Elaine. Not only did she find it difficult to get the work she wanted there, but she felt that even hard work as a nurse might not earn her the kind of job recognition and advancement she desired.

“I thought the lifestyle would be better in Canada,” says Elaine. “I believed that if you work hard, you would get compensated for the work you did.”

With some encouragement from her aunt, who was already settled in Canada, Elaine applied in 2000 to immigrate to the country. Although she had plenty of skills in English, Elaine took an extra step to highlight her application by signing up for French classes at a private institution. She also attended information sessions on immigrating to Canada and searched the Internet for information on ways to find work in her field.

While browsing the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website, Elaine spotted information on the Enhanced Language Training (ELT) program. Through funding from CIC to service providers across the country, the program offers job-specific language training to help immigrants enter the Canadian labour market.

Elaine recognized the value of the ELT program and, a week after arriving in Canada, went for an assessment of her English skills and enrolled in the ELT program offered at the Peel Adult Learning Centre near Toronto.

“I was a few weeks behind when I joined and I didn’t know people yet, but people in the class were accommodating,” she says.

Elaine has now graduated from the ELT program and is working as a medical transcriptionist, transcribing and editing medical reports by doctors and other health-care professionals.

In the coming year, Elaine plans to write exams to become a registered nurse. While she feels that she still has more to accomplish, her drive and determination are leading her to success.

Elaine underlined this when she spoke recently at a funding announcement for the Peel Adult Learning Centre.

“Everyday, new immigrants come to this country who are equally talented,” she told the crowd. “Jobs are not served on a silver platter. We have to work hard for them.”

Read more Welcoming Workers and Students stories.