RAISE Program

Refugee and Immigrant Supports to Employment (RAISE)

Overview of the Program

Become a client

Become an Employer

Language in Action

The RAISE Program

The Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organisation’s (OCISO) RAISE program is designed to support refugees with limited language proficiency in English to obtain and retain employment within construction, trades, hospitality, sales and service, childcare, health services support and manufacturing sectors.

Clients receive support in developing strategic career goals through both pre and post-employment counselling, workshops, work placements, and introductions to Ottawa-based employers who are committed to offering employment and skills development opportunities. This guidance helps enhance client employment readiness by building relevant knowledge, improving workplace-specific language skills, and deepening their understanding of Canadian workplace culture all while encouraging active participation in society.

For more information on joining the RAISE program as a client or employer of choice, please contact:

Mary Coulas
Refugee and Immigrant Supports to Employment (RAISE) Project Facilitator
[email protected]
Tel: (613) 725-5671, ext. 333

Become a client

Are you ready to find a job in Ottawa? The RAISE program helps you get ready for work and connect you with employers. We offer support with skills identification, resumes, interviews, and job searching. You can also join workshops to learn about workplace safety, Canadian work culture, and your rights at work.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, we welcome you to join and get the help you need to succeed.

Client Benefits

Introduction to employers for job opportunities.
Pre-and post-employment counselling including skills identification, resume creation, interview preparation, job search support and employer introductions
Workshops including WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) and Job Safety, Job Searching, Canadian Workplace Culture and Employment Standards and your Rights.
Employment maintenance and job development support.
Referral to the Informal Language Learning program ( Language in Action) to help you build your confidence, led by volunteers.

Eligibility Requirements

Permanent Residents, Refugee Claimants with work permit, Convention Refugee, CUAET with work permit.
Experience or interest in the trades, hospitality, sales and service, childcare, health services support, and manufacturing sectors.
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level between 3 and 5.
Ottawa residents.

Make an Impact - Become an Employer

By partnering with the RAISE program, your organization has the unique opportunity to tap into a highly motivated and skilled pool of newcomers, including refugees who bring valuable experience and dedication. Hiring refugees not only helps fill critical labour market gaps in Ottawa but also strengthens your workforce through increased diversity, innovation, and resilience. We provide comprehensive, tailored support before and after employment, such as customized training and ongoing assistance to ensure a smooth integration and long-term success for both your organization and the employee. Embracing refugee talent is not only a socially responsible choice but also a strategic advantage in building a stronger, more inclusive workplace.

Join our growing group of Ottawa employers engaged to support newcomers with employment and skills development opportunities.

Employer Benefits

Access to motivated candidates with skills aligned to Ottawa’s labour market needs
Customized pre and post-employment support to ensure successful workplace integration and sustainable employment
Post-employment support from the program’s staff to ensure employment maintenance.
Informal language learning opportunities
Increased workplace diversity and innovation

Language in Action - Informal Language Learning

Integrated into the RAISE program the Language in Action (LIA) Program is an informal English language support initiative. This volunteer-led program is designed to help newcomers strengthen their everyday and workplace communication skills in a relaxed, practical, and engaging environment.

Through a mix of online and in-person sessions, newcomers practice English while exploring relevant topics including, but not limited to, job interviews, workplace culture, cultural and social norms, community resources, and everyday tasks. Activities include guided conversations, task-based workshops, guest speaker events, mock interviews, and community field trips to local organizations and services such as shopping centers, museums, and public libraries. The hands-on activities help participants build confidence, expand their knowledge of local resources, and make meaningful connections in their new home.

You may be eligible to participate if you are:

A refugee
A permanent resident
A CUAET holder
A resident of Ottawa
At CLB level 3–5

Get Involved! Volunteer with the program

Are you interested in helping newcomers practice English and learn about life in the community? Share what you know, empower someone new.

What you will do:

Facilitate an informal session in the format of your choice (e.g., discussion, presentation, activity).
Choose a topic that aligns with your interests or expertise.
Lead minimum of one group session (60–90 minutes), with the option to offer more!
Schedule sessions based on your availability.

Who we are looking for:

Friendly and patient individuals
People with community connections and familiarity with local resources AND/OR experience in ESL teaching

Reach out to the program facilitator:

Golshan Mahjoub

Email address: [email protected]

Phone number: (613) 725-5671 ext. 356

Service Delivery Improvement Workplace Language Training (SDI WLT) Innovation Project

The SDI WLT Innovation project is an IRCC funded research collaboration between OCISO and an Applied Linguistics Research team at Carleton University, focused on the development of an innovative 10-module workplace language curriculum for the Canadian workplace.

Focused on refugee and immigrant clients with low official language skills, the program aims to help these clients increase workplace language competencies and adapt to the Canadian workplace, as they transition into Canadian society. Providing a client-centered approach contextualized for the Canadian workplace, the program responds to individual client needs in the critical stages of maintaining employment.

SDI WLT Innovation project’s structure

Audience: The Workplace Language Training is designed to enhance the workplace language competencies of RAISE clients successfully matched with employment through the RAISE program.

Program structure & Proposed mode of delivery: The program follows a blended learning approach whereby learners would access the self-learning modules through the Moodle app, followed by in-person (or online) sessions with a TESL-trained Volunteer Workplace Language Trainer (VWLT). The Workplace Language training will be delivered in 12 sessions over three months.

Tentative themes for WLT Modules:

For more information:

Please send an email to [email protected] inquiring "SDI WLT Innovation Project"

RAISE Program

Refugee and Immigrant Supports to Employment (RAISE)

The RAISE Program

For more information on joining the RAISE program as a client or employer of choice, please contact:

Become a client

Make an Impact - Become an Employer

Language in Action - Informal Language Learning

Reach out to the program facilitator:

Service Delivery Improvement Workplace Language Training (SDI WLT) Innovation Project

For more information:

Programs