Welcome to Skills for Change (SfC). I am proud to serve as the Executive Director of this dynamic agency. It is a pleasure for me to work with dedicated professional staff, committed directors, and a diverse group of community stakeholders, including employers and funders, so that together we can provide effective and innovative programs and services to immigrants and refugees.

I have been involved in the agency for a number of years – originally as the Manager of Programs and Services, and now as the Executive Director. Most of my work and volunteer experience has been with the nonprofit sector, and for the past 11 years I have worked directly in the employment sector, working with immigrants and refugees. In addition to front-line work, I have also been involved in community capacity building and in policy advocacy – primarily through my work in establishing the Policy Roundable Mobilizing Professions and Trades (PROMPT). I bring to my work a strong commitment to and passion for social justice.

Over the 25 years Skills for Change has worked with over 100,000 immigrants and refugees. Over this quarter century we have remained true to our core mission:

“To provide learning and training opportunities for immigrants and refugees so that they can participate in the workplace and wider community.”

Every day at Skills for Change we marvel at and are humbled by the talents and contributions of the people we work with. In this work, we focus not only on immigrants and refugees but also on employers. We see our role as providing a bridge between immigrants and employers and providing the appropriate supports to both. There are three key areas in which we work:
 

Providing programs and services to immigrants and refugees Showcasing the contributions and talents that immigrants and refugees bring to society Breaking down barriers that block immigrants and refugees from successfully entering the workplace

Programs and Services
We offer skills upgrading, language assessment and training, and employment preparation programs. Many of our programs are “sector specific” meaning they are specialized to a particular sector or profession – like teaching or accounting. The sector specific model that was pioneered by SfC in 1998 has now become a standard model of program delivery in the community.

Showcasing Immigrant Contributions
We promote the contributions of immigrants and refugees through our annual New Pioneers Awards (NPA). This gala event recognizes six individuals in various areas for their outstanding contribution to society. The event attracts over 500 supporters from the community, government and corporate sectors. February 28, 2008 will mark the 16th year of this GTA-wide celebration. While we take great pride in the NPA event, we see it as our responsibility and duty to promote immigrants in our society every day of the year, not just at one annual gala event.

Breaking Barriers
We actively work behalf of newcomers to reduce the barriers that prevent immigrants from successfully integrating into the workplace. Our work includes research projects, engagement with occupational regulatory bodies, and ongoing efforts to contribute to progressive policy change.

We believe that the role Skills for Change plays in the lives of newcomers is critical. We invite you to partner with us in our work – whether as a client, volunteer, mentor, employer, sponsor or donor. With our combined resources we can provide the right supports that will ensure immigrants and refugees have the opportunity to fully participate in our society. Together, we can ensure that newcomers will be proud to call Canada “home”.

If you have any questions or comments about our agency, please feel free to contact me at 416-658-3101 x 202 or at cullingworth@skillsforchange.org

Thank you!