Advancing New Canadian Women in Technology’s new cohort will prepare new immigrant women with technical STEM skills for the Canadian job market.
Sawsan Abdul-Majid established Advancing New Canadian Women in Technology (ANCWT) in 2016 at the University of Ottawa to help immigrant and refugee women with technical skills in STEM fields to transition into the Canadian job market. From 2016 to 2023, ANCWT has had six cohorts (four in person and two virtual), with 80 graduates.
Cohorts consist of three phases: eligibility assessment and participant selection, training (in person and online), and networking. ANCWT cohorts provide professional development workshops with topics including: job market awareness; resume-writing workshops; LinkedIn profile creation; engineering licensing in Canada; equality, diversity, and inclusion; and worker rights. Cohorts also include a three-minute technical pitch competition to develop participants’ communication and showcase technical skills, campus lab tours, and an industry panel with potential employers from technical fields.
Cohort alumnae receive ongoing support including networking events and professional development opportunities. ANCWT also offers seminars with relevant experts for both alumnae and the general public.
Introducing the fall cohort
ANCWT is pleased to announce that it will be conducting the ANCWT 2023 cohort from October 25th, 2023, to November 17th, 2023. The sessions are scheduled for three days per week (Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays) from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. This cohort will be hybrid.
The four-week program will help newly immigrated women who already have a background in STEM fields to hone their skills, build a professional network, and find opportunities to work in Canada. Every module in the program is carefully designed to help newcomers develop a clear understanding of their respective job markets through various expert lectures, assignments, and activities.
If you’re interested in being involved with this fall’s cohort as a participant, industry partner, or speaker, please email [email protected]. To learn more, visit ancwt.ca.