For immigrants who come to Canada because they've heard there are opportunities for skilled workers, it's not always an easy task finding work once they arrive.

Often, employers are looking for someone who has had more local experience. Other times, there can be a language barrier, Yukon College instructor Ann Bowen said in an interview this morning.

That's where the college comes in. Next week, the school will begin Breaking Into Employment: Providing Work-Experience Opportunities for Canadian Immigrants, a 15-week program to help immigrants find work.

The program is accepting up to 10 applicants, said Bowen, who will instruct the class. Students will receive $200 paid bi-weekly.

While much of the program will focus on learning English, it will also provide students with information on labour practices, a work plan and provide a four-week work placement.

In developing English skills, students will work on pronunciation, listening comprehension and building vocabulary.

The students will look at Canadian work sites and how they apply to workers in various employment files. Students will also look at the foreign credential recognition process and help out in matching credits to Canadian credentials.

'All that is covered in this,' Bowen said.

She believes the four-week job placement will help students with more local references employers are often looking for.

Often, Canadian employers are nervous about hiring prospective employees who have no Canadian references. A work placement in an occupation which interests the student will help them gain that often-needed experience in obtaining a job.

'That will break barriers,' Bowen said.

The section of the course on creating a work plan will assist students with writing a resume, practising interview techniques, job-search skills and focusing on English language development.

Bowen noted the financial assistance is there to help immigrants 'get off the ground.'

The funding for the stipend is coming from Citizenship and Immigration Canada, which is also putting in $37,000 of the expected $60,000 it will cost to run the program.

Another $15,000 is coming from the advanced education branch of the territorial Department of Education. Yukon College will provide the remaining $8,000 with in-kind services.

Applicants must have documents of their professional or vocational training and will have their English skills assessed.