Changes to the Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP)

Temporary policy changes were made to the eligibility requirements for post-graduation work permits (PGWPs) for the following groups of students:

- students enrolled in PGWP-eligible programs in progress in March 2020

- students who began PGWP-eligible programs between March 2020 and August 31, 2022

These temporary policy changes are meant to facilitate the issuance of open work permits to former or current PGWP holders. To be eligible these students must meet one of the following requirements:

have a study permit

have been approved for a study permit

have submitted a study permit application before beginning their program that was eventually approved

These temporary policy changes do not apply to students who enrolled in programs after August 31, 2022.

New temporary policy changes (called “reduced facilitation measures”) will be in effect between September 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023, for students who began or will begin PGWP-eligible programs between those dates.

To find out more about the new temporary policy changes go to:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/study-permits/post-graduation-work-permit-program/temporary-policy.html

Canada Homestay with ESL English Tutors

 ESL in Canada recommends private one to one ESL English tutoring for international students. The combination of Canadian homestay and tutoring is an ideal learning opportunity for international students.

Costs for the 2023 homestay and ESL English tutor program:

Rooms are between $750 to $1,000 per four-week period
Meals are $450 per four-week period
Tutoring costs are:
Plan A : 20 hours per month for $400 or
Plan B : 40 hours per month for $800 or
Plan C : 60 hours per month for $1,200
Books, reading materials, reference materials: $100

Cost to the student is from $1,600 to $2,650 per four-week period. The homestay tutoring program will save students $300 to $800 each month and provide 30+ additional hours of individual attention each month.

The language students can also study TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, or Business English, for 2 hours per day with a specialist or at the local Board of Education continuing education programs or self-study at the Library or they can volunteer at the ESL in Canada Social Club for free language exchanges.

Example Day Program for Homestay Tutor Program
7:30 AM wake up
8 AM Breakfast
9 - 11 AM Study class with tutor
12 Noon Lunch
2 - 5 PM Metro Reference Library - Language listening Laboratory
6 PM Supper
7:30 - 9 PM Continuing Education Classes
9 - 10:30 PM Homework and journals
10:30 PM lights out

For additional information requests

Labour Demand and Growth in the Creative Technology Sector

http://study-work-live-retire-in-canada.blogspot.com

Interactive Ontario, in partnership with the City of Toronto and The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC), released their study on the creative tech labour supply in Ontario. 

The goal of the study is to understand the state of Ontario’s creative technology sector and its labour market needs.

Ontario is one of Canada’s leading technology regions with a diversified digital economy and a highly educated and skilled labour base. Ontario's digital economy boasts a long history of grassroots business success that has earned it the title of second largest information technology (IT) cluster in North America.

Creative technology is a core contributor to the province’s booming digital economy.  Creative technology requires skills in computer science, design, art, entertainment, and social sciences. Ontario has reported growth in areas including video games, immersive technology, and esports. 

This report "Ontario’s Next Gen Industry: Addressing Labour Demand and Growth in the Creative Technology Sector",examines strengths, opportunities, and key considerations in Ontario’s creative tech sector and labour market. This study investigates the labour needs (jobs, skills, seniority levels), recruitment and retention methods, diversity and inclusion needs, and other core considerations for the creative technology labour market.

Core takeaways of this research include the following: 

Creative technology talent demand persists. Many positions require a high-level understanding of the underlying technology driving applications and services,  strong “soft skills” like collaboration, critical thinking, and project management;  a combination of both technical and human skills.

Read the full summary here:

Link to ICTC News

Queen Elizabeth Scholars (QES) program

QES is a made-in-Canada initiative that promotes international student exchange and civic engagement through project-based scholarships. The program was established in 2012 to celebrate and honour The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. 

To date, 106 projects have been funded at 46 Canadian universities and in 72 countries around the world, and more than 2,200 young people have completed the program.

The Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship program, known as the QES, is led by the Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF) in collaboration with Universities Canada, and with founding support from Community Foundations of Canada (CFC).

For additional information:

https://queenelizabethscholars.ca/