Work, education and learning
Whether you are looking for your first job in Canada, continuing your career, starting a business or building new skills, there are programs that can help.
On this page:
- Find a job
- Employment Services
- International credentials and skills
- Know your rights at work
- Language Learning
Find a job
Employment services in Waterloo Region provide support with:
- Résumé and cover-letter writing
- Job searching
- Interview preparation
- Career planning
- Connecting with employers
- Understanding Canadian workplace culture
- Training and skills development
Local Employment Ontario providers and newcomer-focused employment programs are available throughout Waterloo Region.
Learn more about employment services and supports at the City of Kitchener and at the Region of Waterloo.
Protect yourself learn more about job and employment scams
Newcomer employment programs
Newcomer-specific programs can help you build professional connections and understand the local labour market.
Employment Services
- WorkOne
- WR Connectors
- Conestoga Career Centre
- Starling Employment Services
- Agilec
- Employment Ontario Service Providers
- NEWCOMER OUTREACH - Kinbridge Community Association
- Workplace & Immigrant Network (WIN) – Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin
Employer & Workforce Networks
- Waterloo Local Immigration Partnership Employer Council
- Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce
- YMCA of Three Rivers Immigrant and Employment Services
Entrepreneurship & Small Business
● Waterloo Region Small Business Centre
International credentials and skills
If you completed education or professional training outside Canada, you may need to have your credentials assessed or recognized before working in certain occupations.
Employment and settlement organizations can help you:
- Understand credential assessment
- Identify licensing requirements
- Explore bridging programs
- Identify transferable skills
- Find education or training opportunities
Learn more about education and credential resources:
· Government of Canada newcomer education and credential resources
Know your rights at work
Workers in Ontario have rights relating to areas such as wages, hours of work and workplace health and safety.
A settlement or employment counsellor can also help you understand workplace expectations and connect you with information about workers’ rights.
Learn more through the Ontario newcomers resource.
Language Learning
General Language Learning Services:
- Depending on your eligibility, you may be able to access:
- Formal language classes
- Conversation circles
- Library programs
- Online learning
- Workplace language programs
Kitchener Public Library also provides language-learning tools and English-learning resources for newcomers.
Land acknowledgement
The City of Kitchener is situated on the traditional territory of the Chonnonton, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee Peoples. We recognize our responsibility to act as stewards for the land and honour the original caretakers who came before us. Our community is enriched by the enduring knowledge and deep-rooted traditions of the diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples who live in Kitchener today.