Accenture is investing $4 million in a digital tool to provide career assistance to displaced and newcomer communities. The money will be used by PeaceGeeks, a Vancouver-based technology non-profit, to launch a virtual career coach.
Through this partnership, PeaceGeeks said it will expand its existing Welcome to Canada app, a free, multilingual resource tailored to the diverse needs of immigrants, refugees, temporary foreign workers, and international students.
The new Virtual Career Coach functionality will provide a comprehensive range of services, including support with permanent residency applications, AI-enabled interview practice, and skills quizzes, to help refugees and newcomers navigate the Canadian employment landscape.
As Canada’s population continues to grow, surpassing 41 million in March 2024, and largely driven by international migration, PeaceGeeks said it’s addressing a “critical need for newcomers to Canada. With up to 60% of immigrants facing challenges securing employment that aligns with their international work background or credentials, the Virtual Career Coach will play a crucial role in supporting their integration and success in the Canadian job market,” it said in a press release.
“Through the generous support and active collaboration of Accenture, PeaceGeeks is using the latest technologies to facilitate a smooth transition for newcomers to Canada and address the most persistent pain points they experience,” said Jen Freeman, CEO of PeaceGeeks.
The Virtual Career Coach is a joint effort between PeaceGeeks and Accenture, designed specifically to prepare immigrants for employment success in Canada. Initial features include a National Occupational Classification (NOC) code finder to help newcomers secure permanent residency points and a Canadian career kickstart with essential information about Canadian workplaces.
“Accenture is honored to contribute both financial resources and valuable expertise to this project, empowering PeaceGeeks as they scale their Welcome to Canada initiative nationwide,” said David Morgenstern, president of Accenture in Canada. “Through our funding, training opportunities, mentoring, private-sector partnerships, and strategic guidance, we are committed to supporting PeaceGeeks in their mission to connect and transform the journeys of refugees and newcomers alike.”