ReNEW: Workforce Readiness for Internationally Trained Professionals

Develop Your Career in Canada

Learn about our free 10-week career readiness program.

Fall intake starts October 5, 2026.

Four newcomer students walking in a hall, smiling and talking

Build the skills, confidence and professional connections you need to restart your career in the Canadian workforce.

ReNEW is a free, 10-week instructor-led program for internationally trained professionals. Through online and in-person learning, you will learn about the Canadian job market and work culture, expand your job search skills and create a personalized career plan.

Delivered by George Brown Polytechnic’s School of ESL and Immigrant Education, ReNEW will help you prepare for career success in Canada.

This tuition-free program is generously sponsored by Scotiabank.

ReNEW Program Overview

Duration: 10 weeks

Commitment: Approximately 15 hours per week

Method of study: Hybrid (on campus and online)

On-campus location: 200 King St. E, Toronto, St. James Campus

Starting months: October 2026 and January 2027

Cost: Free of charge

Credential: George Brown Polytechnic certificate of completion

What You’ll Gain From ReNEW

Understand Canadian employment trends, opportunities and requirements
Strengthen Canadian employment search and application skills
Create a personalized action plan for your career
Build an expanded professional network in Canada
Develop a resume, LinkedIn profile, and a professional introduction/pitch that shows your value
Gain basic Canadian financial literacy
Earn a George Brown Polytechnic certificate of program completion

Who Should Apply?

The ReNEW program is designed for internationally trained professionals who:

Have a post-secondary education credential earned outside Canada
Have a minimum two years of previous work experience outside of Canada
Committed to the full 10-week program, including all in-person and online sessions
Want to strengthen their understanding of the Canadian job market

What Are the Requirements?

Admission

ReNEW participants must meet the following admission requirements:

Language

You have a Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in each section, or
A minimum IELTS Academic overall test score of 5.5, in addition to a minimum test score of 5.5 in each of the Writing and Speaking sections, or
Completion of Level 8 of the English for Academic Purposes (EAP R105) program, or
Completed Level ESL IIIB Advanced Course of the Continuing Education English as a Second Language (ESL R901) program at George Brown Polytechnic

Canadian status

You are one of the following:

Permanent Resident
Convention Refugee/Protected Person
Refugee Claimant with a valid work permit
Recent Canadian Citizen (within 5 years)
Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) Visa Holder
MOME2023 Visa Holder

Technology

Tools & Setup

A computer with internet, a webcam, and a microphone
Microsoft 365 and Zoom/Teams (licenses provided)
A LinkedIn profile

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Apply now

Have Questions?

For more information about the ReNEW program, email the School of ESL and Immigrant Education office at ReNEW@georgebrown.ca.

Graduate Success Stories

Imene Chebila

"As a newcomer to Canada, the ReNEW Program at George Brown Polytechnic helped me find my confidence, build meaningful connections, and believe in my future"

Valeria Choi

"The ReNEW program provided me with valuable tools and resources to better understand and navigate the Canadian job market. With the guidance of my incredible facilitator and the support of my peers, I gained the confidence to pursue my professional career in this new and challenging environment."

Rana Guluyeva

"The course was informative, practical, and helpful. It increased my confidence and provided useful knowledge about working in Canada as a newcomer."

Daniela Lopez

"ReNEW helped me recognize the value of my transferable skills and how they can contribute to Canada’s workforce. The guidance, encouragement, and insights I gained through the program helped me feel more optimistic as I pursue new career opportunities."

Hlib Maloshtan

"ReNEW gave me confidence and helped me build both soft and hard skills. Everything was practical, clear, and useful, and I continue to use these skills in my career journey in Canada."

Ralitsa Todorova-Baker

"I came to Canada with years of senior marketing experience, but not the local context to make it count. ReNEW gave me the skills, the map, and the start of a network and it's honest about the rest: the program hands you the tools, and then it's on you to do the work. That's exactly why it works."