Business Occupation-specific Language Training (OSLT) - Free online course

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Communicate effectively at work with OSLT Business, a free online course offered at no cost to eligible newcomers with a background in the business sector from another country or Canada.

With OSLT, participants increase their confidence when communicating with colleagues, supervisors and clients while expanding their understanding of Canadian workplaces. All OSLT graduates earn a certificate issued by Mohawk College.

Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Apply for the Fall intake

Apply online


Course information:

Module 1: Accessing the Business Job Market 
Dates: September 2024
Online lessons: Thursdays, 7 pm - 8 pm

The class will help you:

  • Conduct research related to a job search, such as labour market trends, occupational requirements, pathways for working in your occupation, networking opportunities and helpful resources.
  • Analyze job ads to better understand what employers are looking for and how to tailor an application.
  • Introduce yourself in the job search context.
  • Describe your professional experience and present your knowledge, skills and attributes effectively.
  • Create a plan for moving forward in a job search.

Module 2: Communicating in Business
Dates: December 2024
Online lessons: Thursdays, 7 pm - 8 pm

The class will help you:

  • Explore relevant cultural concepts and how to adapt communication to suit your purposes.
  • Improve skills for gathering and sharing information in the workplace.
  • Make presentations in the workplace.
  • Use the telephone and email effectively.

Module 3: Managing Interactions in Business
Dates: February 2025
Online lessons: Thursdays, 7 pm - 8 pm

The class will help you:

  • Explore workplace structures and workplace cultural concepts.
  • Work on teams, make and respond to requests, offer suggestions and recommendations, and negotiate and problem-solve with others.
  • Participate in team meetings.
  • Deal with challenging interactions.

Who is eligible? 

Eligible participants must:

  • be a permanent resident, convention refugee/protected person, or a Ukrainian temporary resident or their dependent in Canada who lives in Ontario,
  • have benchmarks at level 6 to 8 from the English test taken at an official assessment centre in Ontario,
  • have training or experience from another country or Canada in accounting, finance, project management, running your own business, or sales and marketing.
  • In addition, participants must have access to a computer with video and audio capabilities as well as an Internet connection. 

Accepted proof of English: connect with an approved language assessment centre in Ontario to take the English test required for your application to be considered. Or contact YMCA Immigrant Services at (905) 662-9400 or (905) 526-8452 or at immigrant.settlement [at] ymcahbb.ca (immigrant[dot]settlement[at]ymcahbb[dot]ca). The test has no cost for permanent residents and protected persons.

 

Other OSLT courses:


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