Building a New Life in Canada: How Language, Employment, and Settlement Services Help Newcomers Succeed

Laxmi Timsina

सोमबार कार्तिक २४, २०८३ | Monday November 09,2026

Moving to Canada is filled with hope and opportunity, but starting over in a new country can also be challenging. Many newcomers face barriers such as improving language skills, finding employment, understanding workplace culture, navigating government systems, and building professional networks.

For more than 35 years, Achēv has helped newcomers, immigrants, and refugees overcome these challenges through employment, settlement, language, youth, and women's services across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. Through personalized programs and one-on-one support, Achēv helps thousands of individuals each year build successful futures in Canada.

Language Opens Doors

Strong language skills are often the foundation of successful settlement and integration. Achēv's Language Assessment Services (LAS) helps newcomers assess their English or French language proficiency and connect with appropriate language training programs. Last year, Achēv supported more than 23,000 newcomers in accessing language assessments and training opportunities.

For Achēv client Larysa, who arrived in Canada from Ukraine after being displaced by war, completing an English language assessment was the first step in her settlement journey. Through Achēv's language programs, she improved her English skills, built confidence, and became more connected to Canadian society.

"I felt lost before meeting Achēv and then after that, life changed a lot. I can say that I received a new sense of life because I was heard and supported,” she said.

Her journey demonstrates how language learning can foster confidence, independence, and successful integration. It also highlights the important role that caring and supportive staff play in helping newcomers navigate challenges and build a new life in Canada.

Bridging the Gap Between Expectations and Reality

Many newcomers arrive in Canada with valuable education, skills, and professional experience, but entering the Canadian labour market is often more difficult than expected. Challenges such as limited professional networks, unfamiliar hiring practices, credential recognition requirements, and a lack of Canadian work experience can create barriers to employment.

Achēv's employment services help newcomers navigate these challenges.

Oluremi is one of many newcomers who have benefited from Achēv’s support. As an internationally trained teacher, Oluremi faced the challenge of unemployment while trying to establish herself in a new country. Through Achēv's Employment Services, entrepreneurship programs, training opportunities, and personalized one-on-one support, Oluremi gained the tools, knowledge, and confidence she needed to move forward.

“Each program I participated in moved me inches closer to my goal, until it was achieved,” she said.

Today, Oluremi has achieved her goal of returning to her profession. Reflecting on her journey, she credits Achēv as an important part of her success and among those who helped her move forward one step at a time.

Employment specialists work closely with clients like Oluremi to help them secure employment and establish sustainable careers in Canada.

Settlement and Integration Support

Successful settlement involves much more than finding a job. Newcomers often need support understanding housing, healthcare, education, credential evaluation, government programs, and community resources.

Achēv's settlement services provide practical guidance and information to help newcomers navigate these systems through workshops, information sessions, and networking events.

A key strength of Achēv's approach is collaboration. Settlement workers connect newcomers with community partners and government representatives who provide specialized services and information. For example, Service Canada representatives may visit Achēv locations to help clients understand programs such as the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), and other government benefits.

When clients require services beyond Achēv's scope, staff provide referrals to trusted organizations, including healthcare providers, educational institutions, legal services, and other specialized agencies. This ensures newcomers can access the right support without navigating complex systems alone.

By providing language, employment, and settlement supports under one organization, Achēv helps newcomers build confidence, access opportunities, and successfully integrate into their communities.

Learn more about Achēv's impact at achev.ca.

Ms. Timsina is an administrative assistant at Achēv.