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TL;DR
Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) is accepting registrations for a 13-week youth employment class starting July 6.
The Pathway to Integration course is open to immigrant and refugee youth ages 15 to 30 who are permanent residents, Canadian citizens, or refugees.
Participants must have at least Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4.
The course covers resume writing, interview prep, workplace culture, and computer skills, followed by one-on-one job-search support.
CCIS says spaces are filling quickly.
Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) said last Thursday that its Skills Elevate Youth Employment Program is taking registrations for the next Pathway to Integration class, which begins July 6. The 13-week course is aimed at immigrant and refugee youth ages 15 to 30 who are looking for help entering the labour market in Calgary and Southern Alberta.
The program covers core job-search skills and then pairs graduates with staff for individualized support aimed at securing permanent, full-time employment. CCIS said in its June 25 notice that "spaces are filling quickly."
Who qualifies for the program
The age range is 15 to 30, and the eligibility criteria include immigration status and language requirements. According to the Skills Elevate program page, applicants must be permanent residents, Canadian citizens, or refugees. They also need to have at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 4.
That means temporary foreign workers and international students on study permits would not qualify for this stream. If you're unsure about your CLB level, language assessment centres across Calgary can test you, and many settlement agencies offer referrals.
What the course covers
The 13-week Pathway to Integration class is built around practical employment-readiness skills. CCIS's notice lists the following areas:
Resume and cover letter writing
Interview preparation
Understanding Canadian workplace culture
Online job applications
Computer skills
Once the course is finished, program staff provide participants with one-on-one assistance. The stated goal is to help graduates find permanent, full-time work.
Where Skills Elevate fits inside CCIS
CCIS is a non-profit that has provided settlement and integration services to immigrants and refugees in Southern Alberta since 1981. The organization says its staff collectively speak more than 60 languages.
The Pathway to Integration class is one piece of a broader employment-support structure at CCIS. The organization also runs a Mentorship for Integration program that pairs newcomers with industry professionals in their field, with the goal of helping them find work aligned with their education and experience. On its employer-services page, CCIS describes offering a suite of employment programs that connect employers with job-ready newcomers across the region.
The youth class is designed as an entry point. Graduates who need deeper career support may be able to access additional CCIS services after completing the course.
How to register
CCIS's notice gives Beverley as the contact for registration; she can be reached at 403-891-8432 by phone or via email through the CCIS website. With the July 6 start date, there are fewer than two weeks left to register.
What this means for you
If you're between 15 and 30, live in Calgary or Southern Alberta, and hold permanent residence, citizenship, or refugee status, you can contact CCIS to check eligibility. Before you reach out, confirm two things:
Your immigration status category and your CLB level. If you haven't done a language assessment, ask Beverley whether CCIS can direct you to a testing centre or whether you need to complete that step independently before registering.
You should also ask about the class schedule, location, and whether there are any costs or documentation requirements. The registration notice does not list a fee, but confirming that directly with CCIS will save you a trip if paperwork is needed on day one. The July 6 start date is close, so contact them soon if you want this cohort.
