Improve your workplace communication skills

Newcomers to Canada often encounter barriers to employment, including lack of Canadian work experience, language barriers, differences in workplace culture, difficulties in obtaining recognition for foreign qualifications and international experience, discrimination and lack of workplace integration and diversity programs.

Pursue FREE newcomer service language training that will help you to:

  • communicate better with supervisors, colleagues and clients;
  • understand your sector and occupation in Canada;
  • understand Canadian workplace culture in your field; and
  • develop strong interviewing, networking and job-search communication skills.

Who is eligible?

Participants must be permanent residents who live in Ontario or protected persons who have training or experience in a specific occupation or sector, but need to improve their occupation-specific communication skills.

How to get started?

Step 1

Learn more about the OSLT courses.

Step 2

If you have questions about OSLT or would like to register, contact us at oslt@fanshawec.ca

Step 3 

Staff will book a one-on-one virtual or phone appointment with you to answer questions and help you register.

Upcoming Occupation-specific Language Training (OSLT) courses

Writing Professionally
Online | July 3 - August 18, 2023

This 40-hour online course that requires access to a computer with video and audio capabilities as well as an Internet connection. This course can be taken from anywhere in Ontario.

This practical and innovative course will help you

  • develop a strategic approach to writing workplace communication.
  • understand purpose and audience in written workplace communication.
  • use logical structure in emails.
  • write effective emails to make requests, exchange information, make complaints and follow up.

Activities based on everyday written communication tasks in the workplace will help you

  • use self-editing strategies to identify common personal errors and make changes.
  • produce single- and multiple-paragraph professional writing for an appropriate audience and purpose.

Writing Professionally is for you if

  • you have successfully completed an OSLT course in Accounting and Finance; Entrepreneurship, Sales & Marketing; Project Management; Professional Managers; or Technology.
  • you are familiar with computers and related technology.
  • you are a permanent resident or a protected person who lives in Ontario.

Time commitment: 5 hrs/week

Dates: Jul 24 - Sept 13th, 2023

Days: 1hr Zoom Conference / week- Wed 7-8 PM

Managing Workplace Interactions
Online | April 11- May 30, 2023 or September 11 - October 27, 2023

This is a 40-hour online course that requires access to a computer with video and audio capabilities as well as an Internet connection. This course can be taken from anywhere in Ontario.

This practical and innovative course will help you

  • explore workplace structures and workplace cultural concepts.
  • work on teams, make and respond to requests, offer suggestions and recommendations, and negotiate and problem-solve with others.
  • participate in team meetings.
  • deal with challenging interactions.

Managing Workplace Interactions in Ontario is for you if

  • you have training or experience in accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, project management, sales and marketing, architectural technology, engineering technology or information technology.
  • your English is at an intermediate level (at least level 6 in Canadian Language Benchmarks).
  • you are familiar with computers and related technology.
  • you are a permanent resident or a protected person who lives in Ontario.

Time commitment: 5 hrs/week

Dates: April 11- May 30, 2023 or Aug 2- Sept 20th, 2023

Days: 1 hr Zoom Conference / week- Tues 7-8 PM

Business - Entrepreneurship, Sales & Marketing
Blended (with
face to face field trips) | April 10 - July 21, 2023 or Sept 14 Dec 22nd, 2023 (+ 4 in-person field trips)

This 180-hour course is delivered in a classroom-based format that is enhanced with online homework as well as a blended format that integrates classroom and online elements.

This practical and innovative course will help you

  • understand business workplaces in Ontario.
  • interact effectively with customers, colleagues, employees, suppliers, financial officers and government officials.
  • network and connect with local business associations, employers and employment resources.
  • learn how to use your workplace communication training in a variety of business and workplace settings.

Small-group exercises based on everyday communication tasks in business will help you

  • practice common on-the-job communication to improve your workplace language skills.
  • develop strong interviewing, networking and career-building communication skills.

This course is for you if

  • you have training or experience in running your own business or in sales and marketing.
  • your English is at an intermediate level (at least level 5 in Canadian Language Benchmarks).
  • you are a permanent resident or protected person who lives in Ontario.

Time commitment: 12 hrs/week for 15 weeks

Dates: April 10 - July 21, 2023 or Sept 14 Dec 22nd , 2023 (+ 4 in-person field trips)

Days: Virtual Delivery M/W 9:30 - 12:30 - 6 hrs on-line / week

Technology
Blended | November 20 - December 22, 2023

This 180-hour course is delivered in a classroom-based format that is enhanced with online homework as well as a blended format that integrates classroom and online elements.

This practical and innovative course will help you

  • understand technology workplaces in Ontario.
  • interact clearly and effectively with colleagues, clients, supervisors and project team members.
  • network and connect with local employers, industry associations and employment resources.
  • learn how to use your workplace communication skills in a variety of settings.

Small-group exercises based on everyday communication tasks in technology will help you

  • practice common on-the-job communication to improve your workplace language skills.
  • develop strong interviewing, networking and career-building communication skills.

Workplace Communication Skills for Technology is for you if

  • you have training or experience in architectural, engineering or information technology.
  • your English is at an intermediate level (at least level 5 in Canadian Language Benchmarks).
  • you are a permanent resident or a protected person who lives in Ontario.

Time commitment: 12 hrs/week for 15 weeks

Dates:TBD

Days: Virtual delivery Mon/Thu (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.), plus 4 hrs online

Professional Managers
Blended | Jan 8 - Mar 29, 2024

This 140-hour course is delivered in a blended format that integrates classroom and online elements.

This practical and innovative course will help you

  • understand management within business and technology workplaces in Ontario.
  • interact effectively with staff, colleagues, upper levels of management.
  • network and connect with employers and employment resources.

Small-group exercises based on everyday communication tasks in management will help you

  • practice common on-the-job communication to improve your workplace language skills.
  • develop strong networking and career-building communication skills.

Workplace Communication Skills for Professional Managers is for you if

  • you have training or experience as a manager in business or technology environments.
  • your English is at an intermediate level (at least level 6 in Canadian Language Benchmarks).
  • you are a permanent resident or a protected person who lives in Ontario.

Time commitment: 12 hrs/week for 12 weeks

Dates: Jan 8 - Mar 29, 2024

Days: Virtual Delivery M/Th 9:30 - 12:30 4 hr on-line

Construction Trades
Blended | TBD

This 40-hour course is delivered in a blended format of classroom and online learning.

This practical and innovative course will help you

  • understand construction workplaces in Ontario, including residential and commercial project sites, and private homes.
  • interact effectively with co-workers, supervisors and customers.
  • network and connect with local employers, industry associations and employment resources.
  • learn how to use your workplace communication training in construction trades sites such as:
    • residential developments.
    • commercial developments.
    • public works projects.
    • private homes.

Small-group exercises based on everyday communication tasks in construction workplaces will help you

  • practice common on-the-job communication to improve your workplace language skills.
  • develop strong interviewing, networking and career-building communication skills

Workplace Communication Skills for Construction Trades is for you if

  • you have training or experience in one of the following:
    • bricklaying.
    • carpentry.
    • electrical.
    • plumbing.
    • steam fitting.
  • your English is at an intermediate level (at least level 4 in Canadian Language Benchmarks.
  • you are a permanent resident or a protected person who lives in Ontario.

Time commitment: 7 hrs/week for 6 weeks

Dates: TBD

Days: One hour Zoom conference/week (Tuesdays, 7 - 8 p.m.)

Accessing the Business Job Market
Online | June 6 - July 25, 2023 or Oct 2nd - Nov 24, 2023

This is a 40-hour online course that requires access to a computer with video and audio capabilities as well as an Internet connection. This course can be taken from anywhere in Ontario.

This practical and innovative course will help you

  • conduct research related to a job search, such as labour market trends, occupational requirements, pathways for working in your occupation, networking opportunities and helpful resources.
  • analyze job ads to better understand what employers are looking for and how to tailor an application.
  • introduce yourself in the job search context.
  • describe your professional experience and present your knowledge, skills and attributes effectively.
  • create a plan for moving forward in a job search.

Accessing the Business Job Market in Ontario is for you if

  • you have training or experience in accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, project management, or sales and marketing.
  • your English is at an intermediate level (at least level 6 in Canadian Language Benchmarks).
  • you are familiar with computers and related technology.
  • you are a permanent resident or a protected person who lives in Ontario.

Time commitment: 7 hrs/week for six weeks

Dates: June 6- July 25, 2023 or Oct 2nd - Nov 24, 2023

Days: 1hr Zoom Conference / week- Tues 7-8 PM

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Colleges Ontario
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Occupation-specific Language Training (OSLT)
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IRCC