Do you want to support and empower newcomers to Canada? Start your career as a settlement service worker through this two-year diploma program. Learn how to help newcomers integrate into their communities while advocating for their rights.
What to expect from the program
During this program, you’ll develop the knowledge and skills necessary to help newcomers to Canada access the services they need to thrive, such as housing, schooling, employment, transportation, healthcare, and more.
After completing this program, you’ll be able to:
- Determine your clients' needs through assessments and interviews, then refer them to the services they require
- Recognize how the transition to life in Canada can affect family dynamics
- Support individuals with disabilities
- Provide your clients with current resources available to newcomers
- Document and observe your clients’ needs
- Develop action plans for newcomers struggling with trauma or culture shock
- Identify the laws and policies around settlement services in Canada
- Understand how other cultures address mental health challenges and disabilities
Graduate with experience
At NorQuest College, we believe hands-on training and real-world experience provides our students with the education they need to succeed in their careers. In our Settlement Studies program, you’ll take part in two field experiences where you will:
- Graduate with 400 hours of field experience
- Work with individuals, families, communities, and organizations in a settlement setting
- Directly apply the knowledge and skills you learned in your courses to real settlement work
After completing the field placements, you’ll have settlement experience you can use in your resume and cover letter. You’ll also have the chance to work with clients and gain confidence in understanding the complex needs of newcomers and supporting their integration into Canada.
Your delivery option
To support your learning experience, this program is offered in the following format:
In-Person/Hyflex
A delivery option where some students attend in person and some students attend online.
Additional information
Get a head start in settlement studies with Canadian Settlement in Action: History and Future, an interactive online textbook created by NorQuest experts and community partners. This free resource offers an accessible way to explore key concepts, understand the history and future of settlement work in Canada, and discover if a career in this vital sector is right for you.
Career opportunities
As a settlement service worker, you’ll play a crucial role in Canada’s immigration system. You can explore career opportunities in the non-profit sector, settlement sector, and various departments within the municipal and provincial governments. You may also be employed by agencies that have partnerships with schools and public libraries.
Some job titles you can explore include:
- Settlement practitioner/consultant/counsellor
- Immigration partnership coordinator
- Settlement case manager
- Settlement support worker
- Newcomer planner
- Settlement outreach worker
This program prepares you to step confidently into your field while providing the flexibility to continue your education. Credits you earn may be transferable toward additional diplomas, degrees, or certifications—helping you advance your career and increase your earning potential.
Important information for international students
This program qualifies for a study permit, and a post-graduate work permit in Canada. Learn more about obtaining your study permit, and how to apply for a post-graduate work permit along with other important immigration information.
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