The Government of Canada has partnered with two leading private Canadian businesses to develop and expand the Federal Internship for Newcomers Program (FIN).

CGI Group Inc, a leading information technology company, and CIBC, a top financial services business, have partnered with the government to hire foreign workers through the FIN program. The program assists new immigrants to Canada in finding temporary or permanent work in their fields of study.

Since September 2010, the FIN program has assisted over 130 newcomers in finding work in Canada. Before the partnerships with CIBC and CGI Group Inc, work was offered in federal departments and agencies.

“Lack of Canadian work experience can prevent many newcomers from successfully integrating into the labour market,” said Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney. “This program is an excellent example of the Federal government’s leadership role in helping immigrants enter the Canadian workforce”.

Through the program, CIBC and CGI Group Inc will be able to review the profiles of newcomers whose work readiness has already been assessed by the government. It is hoped that this partnership will allow the companies to gain key employees, and help immigrants gain valuable Canadian work experience as they continue to establish themselves in their new home.