Laurier’s Faculty of Social Work wins award for contribution to immigrant training program

Waterloo - The Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Social Work has been recognized by the Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network (WRIEN) for leadership in the development and delivery of bridge training for the social work sector.

Laurier wins the award along with The Working Centre, Extend-A-Family, Renison University College, Conestoga College, Centre for Community Based Research and Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network, who collaborate on the Social Work in Waterloo Region program.

The program offers a unique model of bridge training that suits a community the size of Waterloo Region. By drawing together new Canadians from a broad range of backgrounds that do not easily translate within Canadian qualifications, participants are able to apply their experience and training either directly into employment or through further education. The individualized pathway for each participant, combined with intensive sector-specific research and increased access to education, allows new Canadians to move forward strategically and effectively to employment in their chosen field.

The program is run through continuing education at the Laurier Faculty of Social Work. The collaboration with other social work groups helped improve access to educational opportunities and employment consistent with people’s skills and experience.

“Winning this award really acknowledges the participants in this program,” says Faculty of Social Work Dean Lesley Cooper. “What a remarkable group! In their home countries they suffered privation and persecution and despite this fought for human rights. Now that they are in Canada, they want to be good citizens and make this country the best place on earth.

“Laurier and the Faculty of Social Work are very pleased to have some of them as social work students. They will make a remarkable contribution to the life of the faculty and to social work.”

The award is presented annually by WRIEN to an educator, employer or service provider who engages in innovative practices for Internationally Trained Individuals related to building English language skills or qualifications recognition. The award ceremony was held last week at Waterloo Inn.