Simpact | Practice Firm Program
You Have the Experience.
Now Get the Canadian Experience.
You worked hard in your home country. You built a career. You have real skills. But when you arrive in Canada, employers keep asking for the same thing: Canadian work experience.
That's where Simpact comes in. It's a simulated Canadian workplace — built to look, feel, and run like a real business — so you can gain the experience employers are asking for before you ever land the job.
Request More InformationAbout the program
A Simulated Workplace. Genuine Experience.
Simpact is Job Skills' Practice Firm program — a simulated Canadian business environment where you step into a role in your field, work alongside others, and build the kind of experience that belongs on your resume.
It's not a classroom. It's a simulated business with real departments: sales, marketing, accounting, administration, human resources, IT, and more. You'll work through actual projects designed to mirror what Canadian employers expect.
If you're an accountant, you might be working through bank reconciliations, income statements, or getting hands-on time in QuickBooks. If your background is in marketing, you're building campaigns. Whatever your profession, you'll be doing the kind of work you'd be doing on the job — in a supported, simulated environment designed to set you up for success.
Simulated Roles
- Administration
- Accounting / Bookkeeping
- Data Entry
- Marketing
- Sales
- Purchasing
- Communications
- Human Resources
- Information Systems
- Computer Graphics
How it works
More Than a Simulated Workplace
Simpact prepares you for the whole job search, not just the resume line. Here's what you can expect:
Facilitator Coach
Works closely with you throughout — guiding your projects, keeping you on track, and supporting you through the challenges every newcomer faces.
Employer Relations Specialist
Focused on connecting you with real employment opportunities once you're ready to make your move.
Job Search Support
Resume building and targeting, interview practice, and Canadian workplace norms — everything you need to compete with confidence.
Guest Speakers
Hear from mental health professionals through CMHA and sector-specific experts to support both your employment and wellness goals.
By the time you finish, you won't just have something new for your resume. You'll have the confidence to walk into an interview and know you're ready.
Program details
What to Expect
Duration
Up to 8 weeks of supported job preparation
Schedule
Monday to Friday, 10 am to 2 pm
Network
Connected to the International Practice Firm Network
Eligibility
Who Can Apply
Simpact is open to newcomers who:
- Are a Convention Refugee, Permanent Resident, Landed Immigrant, or Authorized Person for Emergency Travel
- Are legally entitled to work in Canada
- Have a minimum English language level of CLB 4
- Have at least two years of work experience in their profession from their home country
- Are job ready and looking for employment
Already registered with another service provider? You don't need to register with us separately to attend.
Funded by
Frequently Asked Questions
Simpact is a free program that helps Newcomers like you get ready for work in Canada. It gives you a chance to practise real workplace skills, build your confidence, and learn how things work in a Canadian office — before you ever walk into a job interview.
A Practice Firm is a simulated workplace where you take on a real role and do real work — just in a safe, supportive setting. It's a place where you can make mistakes, ask questions, and build your confidence without the pressure of an actual job on the line. Many Newcomers find it's exactly the bridge they needed between their experience back home and finding work here.
If you're a Newcomer who's ready to work but not sure how to navigate the Canadian job market, Simpact was built for you. You'll need to be a Convention Refugee, Permanent Resident, Landed Immigrant, or Authorized Person for Emergency Travel, be legally entitled to work in Canada, have an English level of at least CLB 4, and have at least two years of work experience from your home country.
You'll practise in professional roles that match your background — things like administration, accounting and bookkeeping, marketing, communications, sales, data entry, human resources, information systems, computer graphics, and purchasing. The work is hands-on and practical, not just classroom learning.
Simpact runs for up to eight weeks. You'll attend Monday to Friday, 10 am to 2 pm, in person at the Richmond Hill Welcome Centre. It's a consistent weekly schedule that helps you get back into a working routine while you prepare for employment.
You won't be on your own. You'll work closely with a Facilitator/Coach who guides you through the program, and an Employer Relations Specialist who helps connect you with job opportunities. You'll also build a personal return-to-work action plan, hear from guest speakers in your field, and access wellness support through CMHA.
Yes, and that's one of the most valuable parts. You'll be learning alongside other Newcomers who are going through the same experience. You'll build real connections, share what you're learning, and support each other — the kind of network that can make a real difference when you're starting fresh in a new country.
Nothing at all. The program is completely free, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). There's no cost to register and no cost to participate.
Yes. You don't need to switch providers or re-register with Job Skills to join Simpact. You're welcome to attend as you are.
Just fill out the request form on this page and someone from our team will be in touch. You can also call us at 1-866-592-6278 or visit the Richmond Hill Welcome Centre during program hours. We're here to help you take the next step.
FGF Brands would like to thank Job Skills for a job well done putting together a virtual career fair. The event exceeded our expectations and we were able to fill an opening. We would recommend their services in the future and look forward to continuing our partnership.
It was a great feeling coming to the workshops each day to learn principles that could be implemented into my own business to enhance productivity. The business plan really opened up my insight into a lot of factors within my industry and business such as competitors, suppliers, and my target market.
I am so grateful I had the opportunity to be part of a great program catered to women. I enjoyed the supportive environment which helped me to grow and learn and gain hands-on experience in a business setting. In addition, Simpact successfully prepared me and supported me in finding employment including being a great reference for me.
Your online classes were not only full of knowledge but were also full of life. Your way of delivering the information was very enthusiastic, engaging, and motivating. When I shared with you that I have a good opportunity with Amazon, you walked with me… in order to improve my performance and this definitely contributed to my success in getting the job.
This program is phenomenal! It has been such a welcoming place and the support from staff and other participants has been amazing. The whole work environment has been created as a safe place to be yourself and contribute your skillset at your comfort level… I had figuratively lost my voice, this program helped me find my voice.
Having just gotten to Canada about 2 weeks ago this was the most valuable experience I have had. I have run my own business in the past and appreciate that execution and time management is one of the most important things I can focus on. I got so much value from the slides and the conversation today because this was insight that would have taken me months to gather.