Employ-Link


Abrigo Centre’s Employ-Link program has 2 main components, Job Placement Services and Pre Employment Development Services.

Our Job Placement Services assists clients to find suitable employment.  Key program components include:

  • Assessment and Screening which ensures clients ability to succeed in the program and alternatively refers clients to such services as our Pre Employment Development Services and counselling programs.
  • Employment Preparation Workshop which provides individuals with the tools they need to succeed in their job search, including resume, application and cover letter development, planning and conducting an effective job search, networking skills, interviewing skills, labour market knowledge and job maintenance skills.
  • Job Development and Employment Liaison whereby Placement Coordinators actively engage with employers to uncover job opportunities for clients.  Placement Coordinators will match and refer participants to job vacancies based on their skills, abilities and interests.  This process may also include providing employer financial incentives.
  • Abrigo’s Pre-Employment Development services provide service to clients who lack a career focus and the skills necessary to succeed in the current labour market.  Specifically, clients who experience barriers such as a history of unemployment that limit or prevent them from participating in employment.

The 3 week workshop covers such topics as:

  • Identifying and developing social networks
  • Identifying and accessing resources in the community
  • Researching the labour market
  • Self Awareness
  • Problem Solving and Decision Making
  • Communication
  • Financial Management
  • Goal Setting
  • Anger Management and Conflict Resolution
  • Accepting and Giving Feedback
  • Clarifying Marketable Skills
  • Developing the Personal Resources to Sustain Employment
  • Life Skills
  • Career Exploration

Upon graduation from Abrigo Centre's Pre Employemnt Development Services clients have completed a personal action plan and are connected appropriate follow up resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Employ-Link for Newcomers program work?
One of the program's specifics is flexibility: as we work mainly one-on-one, meetings are set at mutual convenience with each participant individually. You can make an appointment with your Job Developer anytime you feel you need to.
We only have weekly 2 hour workshops and twice a month a 2 hour networking session for which we strongly recommend attendance.
How long can I be registered with the Employ-Link program?
The Employ-Link for Newcomers program's length is up to three months. However, most of our clients secure employment within the second month of participation.
How successful is the Employ-Link for Newcomers program?
More than 80% of newcomer clients have secured full-time employment within three months, most of them in their preferred field.
If I am a client, do I have to attend the Employ-Link for Newcomers program everyday?
No, the Employ-Link program is mainly job search support. Most of the contact between the client and Job Developer is done by e-mail or telephone.
Is there any cost to the Employ-Link for Newcomers program?
Employ-Link is funded by the Government of Ontario under their new Employment Ontario initiative which permits ud to offer the program free of charge.
What kind of background should I have to register with the Employ-Link program?
- Employ-Link serves clients with any type of job background.
- Some of the most common backgrounds our clients have are: financial, technical (Engineering, IT), administrative/customer service, sales/marketing, teaching, science, medical.
What services are offered under our Employ-Link Program??
Services we offer:
- Individual access to job developers in person, by e-mail and/or telephone
- Job matching based on participant’s background, skills and goals
- Targeted industry research and labour market information
- Job leads provided
- Networking opportunities at our “Employ-Link Café”
- Employment related workshops including:
- Interactive employment related workshops
Who is eligible to enter the Employ-Link for Newcomers program?
Candidates for our program should be:
- Not employed (between opportunities)
- Able to communicate in English
- Legally entitled to work in Canada
- Five years or less in Canada
- Job-ready, actively seeking work and willing to commit to the program

* Referred by an Employment Assessment Centre
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