JCF SUCCESS STORY

The anxiety of living in a new country without a significant support network or job to fall back on was overwhelming to Alex at first.

Rather than allow it to continue, he enrolled in the JCF program to improve his job search skills and get himself grounded. Through it, he developed the necessary skills and built up a network he could rely on. After securing employment with the help of other members from the JCF program and the support of OCCA’s wage subsidy program, Alex has decided to help give back and now volunteers with OCCA to help others find the same opportunities that he did.

“After completing the program, I feel much more confident. With a stable job, I can now spend my free time enjoying quality moments with my son. To me, success means having a stable life, a harmonious family, and confidence in myself.” Alex said.

The OCCA-JCF program is funded by the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills and the RBC Foundation. It offers Canadian workplace training through the partnership of the OCCA Communities Association and Okanagan College in Central Okanagan. OCCA also connects the JCF participants with employers, providing subsidies to help them gain valuable Canadian work experience and overcome typical job search challenges encountered by immigrants.