1.1 What is the Canadian Language Benchmarks Standard? 1.2 CLB Stages and Benchmarks 1.3 CLB Competencies & Sample Tasks 1.4 F.A.Q. about the CLB 1.5 Language Assessment 1.6 Literacy and English as a Second Language (ESL) 1.7 Literacy and ESL - Assessments 1.8 CLB and Essential Skills 1.9 Occupational Language Analyses (OLA)

Section 1: INTRODUCTION

An introduction to Work Ready, the Canadian Language Benchmarks and General Information for Counsellors and Human Resource Professionals

What is Work Ready?

Work Ready: CLB Resources for Counselling, Hiring and Working with Internationally Trained Individuals (ITIs) (also referred to as simply Work Ready) is a collection of language-based tips and resources for employment counsellors and human resource (HR) professionals, to facilitate the successful employment of internationally trained individuals (ITIs).[1]

Work Ready is divided into five sections:

• Section I contains general information about Work Ready, the Canadian Language Benchmarks, language assessment and Essential Skills.
• Section II contains information relevant to counsellors as they work with ITIs in the pre-employment stage.
• Section III contains information for HR professionals and employers on hiring and retaining ITIs.
• Section IV contains case studies of employment-based projects where ITIs have received training to help them work successfully in Canada.
• Section V contains additional resources.

Employment counsellors and human resource professionals are encouraged to read all the sections of the kit, and not just the ones identified as being directly relevant, as there is a wealth of information that applies to both groups in all five sections.

Statistics Canada[2] has identified language as a significant factor in ITIs having difficulty finding employment in Canada. This kit provides resources to help break down the language barrier when counselling, hiring and working with ITIs. The CCLB has tested the kit and the materials with HR personnel, counsellors and employers. We interviewed many ITIs to better understand their employment and language needs. Relevant comments from the ITIs interviewed can be found on the online version of Work Ready.

In Work Ready, we refer to the Canada Language Benchmarks (CLB) when we talk about the language levels of ITIs and the levels of language needed in, and for, the workplace. Resources related to les Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens can be found on language.ca.

Did You Know?

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[1] The term ITI is used extensively in this document; however, terms such as immigrant, second language learner, internationally educated professional and others are also used on occasion.

[2] Statistics Canada. Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada, Progress and Challenges of New Immigrants in the Workforce. (2003).