If you are a foreign worker and have a prior employment authorization, you can get information from your employer for the next step.

Because the economy is changing, finding full-time, permanent jobs is becoming more difficult. The trend is toward part-time work, contract work (where you work on a short-term basis, for a specified period of time, on a specific task or project), temporary work or seasonal work. See Where the jobs are (page 16) for more information about the changing job market. A good place to get information about the labour market is through your local CEC.

There are a few terms that are often used to describe work in the Canadian labour market. It is useful to become familiar with them and to know what they mean. For example, "white collar" refers to jobs where the work does not involve physical labour and where degrees or diplomas from post-secondary institutions are usually required. "Blue collar" jobs are those where the work involves physical labour - janitors and truck drivers for example. "Pink collar" jobs are those usually done by women such as secretaries and receptionists. You might hear the term "traditional" or "non-traditional" jobs too. These terms are usually used when referring to women's work.

"Traditional" jobs are those where almost all the workers are women, such as nursing, teaching, and clerical jobs. "Non-traditional" jobs are those where most of the workers are men.

Another term you might come across, particularly if you are getting information about government funded programs, is "visible minority." This is a term the government uses to describe people who are visibly different from the white population because of their skin colour. Sometimes these people are immigrants, but sometimes they were born in Canada. Some government programs have a certain number of spaces in them set aside for "visible minorities."

Language training
Almost every job and training program requires you to understand and speak English. If you need to learn or upgrade your English, there are government funded programs that can help you. These programs are called LINC which stands for Language Instruction for New Comers. LINC classes are sponsored by the Immigration Department and are available to any immigrant, male or female, who is not yet a citizen. These classes are free and available at flexible times. Some classes even provide child care services. They are delivered by various schools, private institutions, immigrant service agencies and community and non-profit organizations.

There are three levels of LINC training. After level three you graduate with an intermediate level of English. Before you can take these programs, you need to have your English skills assessed. In Vancouver call 876-5756 to make an appointment for an assessment. If you live in the Fraser Valley area, call 589-7739. At other locations in the province call your local Immigration office for information about LINC programs. Local community or cultural organizations should also have information about language training. You can also find other English language classes, which you pay for, at private institutions, continuing education departments of colleges and school boards.