At Regional Connections, life-changing transformations are unfolding through the GWEN Program—short for Gateway to Work Experience for Newcomers. It’s a small but powerful initiative designed to support newcomers who face some of the toughest employment barriers, including limited English, interrupted education, and little or no formal job experience.
What is GWEN?
“GWEN is more sector-specific or job-specific training to employment programs,” explained Jessica Lopez, Employment Program Coordinator at Regional Connections. “This is more for those who are experiencing or facing many barriers to getting employment… newcomers with low English levels… some of them might have lived their whole lives in a refugee camp, and so they never had the opportunity to gain employment skills, workplace skills. So, when they come to Canada, they struggle to land their first job.”
The program provides more than just training—it provides hope. “We provide them with subsidized training, subsidized employment experience through work placements that often lead to full-time jobs.”
Due to the cost and depth of support involved, space is limited. “We only have room for about 30 people per year because it is an expensive program. So, they get allowance, training allowance, work placement allowance, transportation, training, equipment, tools—whatever to get them trained.”
Where are the students from?
In 2024, the program delivered an Introduction to Manufacturing course by Instructor Bessie Xu, in partnership with Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, among others. “We had 39 participants across our three different cohorts… representing about 19 countries,” said Lopez. “It’s a very diverse group. We have people from Eritrea, India, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jamaica, Philippines, Russia, Syria, Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Ethiopia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, DR Congo, and Rwanda.”
Overcoming barriers
Many of these individuals came to GWEN after struggling to find employment through other avenues.
“You have to remember that these individuals were reassigned to the GWEN program after spending 2–3 months in the EAS (Employment Assistance Services) program without any success. So, this is a really big deal for them—this would be their first job in Canada.”
And for many, it was. “Of the 39, 26 were offered full-time jobs after completing the program in manufacturing.”
An emotional success story
One story that stands out for Lopez involves a resettled refugee from Afghanistan. “He came to Canada with his family—five kids—very low English… He couldn’t land the job because of his English. Of course, construction, manufacturing experience in Afghanistan is completely different from Canada.”
After finishing the GWEN program, Lopez and her team connected him with a local contractor who offered him a three-month job. “He was so impressed… he rehired him for another short-term project… but then we still needed to help him find long-term employment.”
That’s when another employer stepped in. “They said, ‘We’re going to offer him the job contingent on him getting a driver’s license.’” The team helped him prepare for his test. “He tried twice. He failed the first time. He tried again, and he passed… Now he has his driver’s license.”
Lopez beamed, “He already has a full-time job waiting for him in manufacturing, which is entry-level, which is perfect for him… He’s settled in Canada. We’re so happy for him… It’s not just his life that has changed, but his kids’ as well. He has five kids.”
"They have so much to offer."
When asked why she was emotional while speaking about the program, Lopez was candid:
“These people just need someone to give them a chance. They have so much to offer… They work so hard to prove themselves while also… working through some personal trauma, family obligations, learning a new culture… It just reminds me to be grateful and not take things for granted. They're amazing.”
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Another success story for the region
Another major milestone from last year was reached through a Childcare Assistant training cohort.
“This was in partnership with our CNC—Care for Newcomer Children—program… The training helped prepare unemployed newcomers, all of them women, who were wanting to break into the ECE (Early Childhood Education) field,” said Lopez.
Following the training and practical experience in Winkler, Morden, and Altona facilities, graduates were supported into volunteer roles that opened career doors.
“One person… qualified for an accelerated ECE training program at Assiniboine College in Morden. She was offered a full-time, paid position at the facility where she had initially volunteered… We’re expecting she’ll finish the program this year, and she will be a certified ECE.”
Lopez stressed that behind each story is a village.
“All credit to… our frontliners who listen to these stories and these challenges that clients share… working together with clients, creating long-term plans, short-term plans, addressing gaps and barriers… coordinating with local employers, with a language program, and just everything else.”
And to the province: “We’re always grateful to the province for being so supportive of our programming and being so responsive.”
Each number on the page, each milestone celebrated, represents not just a career shift, but a life transformed.