For this second member spotlight, we focus on the Settlement Online Pre-Arrival (SOPA) program led by ISANS. Watch the presentation below to learn more about the program and how post-arrival service organizations can work with SOPA. 

5 KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Settlement Online Pre-Arrival (SOPA) is an online platform that offers tailored pre-employment assistance to newcomers, helping them find and retain employment in Canada. It collaborates with a nationwide network of six settlement agencies to deliver training to help immigrants integrate into the Canadian labour market successfully.
   
2. The top 10 countries of clients participating in the SOPA program are Nigeria, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Philippines, Iran, Algeria, UAE, Colombia, and the USA. Since the program’s launch in 2015, SOPA has served over 10,000 clients.
3. SOPA offers various services, including one-on-one intake orientation, employment counselling, job search and workplace communication courses, specialized courses for refugees and youth, and a Foreign Credential Recognition Navigator program.
4. To be eligible for SOPA, individuals must live outside Canada, have received approval from IRCC to immigrate to Canada, have an English level (IELTS) 5.5 or higher, and have access to a computer and high-speed internet.
5. The SOPA client journey includes intake orientation, facilitated and self-guided courses, employment counselling, virtual events, and referrals to post-arrival services.

RESOURCES

• Website
• YouTube 
• Postcard
• What to expect

MEET THE SPEAKER

Anika Sweet is the supervisor for the SOPA program. Anika has held different roles in the program since October 2019 and supported the program as course facilitator, intake counsellor and, since August 2023 as the supervisor. Having held different roles in the team helped Anika gain a broad knowledge about pre-arrival services in Canada. Anika has a TESL certificate and four years of experience teaching English to newcomers before joining the SOPA team.