Looking for Work? Get “Admin Ready” with TIES

When Apoorva Joshi arrived in Canada, the world was basically shut down.

“When I first came to Canada it was in 2019 – it was COVID. Everything was closed,” Joshi points out. “So, my struggle basically started from there.”

The biggest struggle for the newcomer has been finding a job. Despite a very strong educational background from India, she has found herself shut out of certain careers over the years.

“I need to talk to people, learn new things and develop my skills.”

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Enter TIES (The Immigrant Education Society) and its Admin Ready program.

The 10-week program teaches newcomers and naturalized citizens advanced administrative, digital, and soft (practical) skills. It then places them in an invaluable 80-hour work experience practicum – all at no cost to them!

Ultimately, helping them forge a path to a professional and in-demand office career.

“There is always a need for admin assistants and admin professionals in Calgary and Alberta,” TIES Manager, Employment & Career Development Mayssoun Hniedi says.  

“Every organization needs administrative assistance. And with the aging population, there are people that will retire and then we need to fill those spots.”

Hniedi believes one way to do that is to tap into an often-untapped market – educated and professional immigrants.

“We’re trying to help foreign-trained professionals who have education from outside of Canada who are hoping to transition their careers to administrative roles,” Hniedi says.  

“We see someone who maybe has a marketing degree from outside of Canada, or maybe a teaching degree, and they’re here and they don’t know where to start.”

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Like many, Kunjan Soni struggled to find her “employment” start.

Soni moved to Canada in 2013 from India, with more than four years of experience in client services and computer programming instruction. She also has a diploma in IT (Information Technology).  

“If I want to upgrade in that (IT), I need more time,” she says. “But I don’t have that time.”

Another worry – finding the money to pay for other schools’ programs, especially without a guaranteed job at the end.

“If I apply for some other colleges, the cost … the fees might be like $15,000 or something. If I spend that money – how can I pay the loan?”

She’s grateful to be accepted into the Admin Ready program. She’s also thankful for her wonderful instructors for the advanced skills she’s learned in such a short time.

“I’m a person who is very passionate, very social. I always like upgrading my skills,” she says.  

“I just need a chance to prove myself!”

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That’s all Apoorva Joshi needs as well.

“I’m reliable. I’m adaptable. I’m flexible, I’m hardworking,” she says. “I’m eager to learn always.”

And now, along with her bachelor’s degree in commerce, a Diploma in Human Resource Management, and advanced photography courses, she’s well on her way to being Admin Ready!

“I’m very happy to take my experience and my skills further with this course,” she says.  

“My ultimate goal is to find a suitable job with my experience and my skills.”

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It’s a hope Mayssoun Hniedi has for all the program’s students.  

“Normally newcomers when they come, everyone expects them to do lower-paying jobs,” she points out.

“With this program what we hope to do is to train professionals, train clients who are job ready and just need a little bit of help to upgrade their skills.”

Hopefully setting them up – for success.

“Our goal is to have everyone employed!”

The program will run for two years and train more than 80 students over that time.

Admin Ready is funded by the Government of Alberta.

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Eligibility:

• Permanent resident, Naturalized Canadian citizen, conventional refugee  

• 18+ years old

• Strong language skills (CLB 5+ in English – verbal or written)

• Not receiving EI benefits

• Ready and able to work

• Committed to full program + 80-hour practicum  

• Basic digital skills: Microsoft Office, Excel, email, internet use

NOTE: Individuals who hold a college diploma or university degree from a Canadian institution are not eligible for the program

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Media RSVP, Interviews & Inquiries:

Tomasia DaSilva

Media and Relationship Strategist

Email: tomasiadasilva@immigrant-education.ca

Phone: 403-291-0002

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