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  PICS Surrey, Nov 22 – We are pleased to announce that Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) Program is expanding its scope to support more Internationally Trained Professionals (ITPs) by starting to accept clients from Accounting, Law and Other sectors, in addition to the existing sectors of Health, Education and Technology.  The Program has also changed its loan program to provide multiple loans up to $15,000, to cover the cost of credentialing and other career needs of ITP’s to assist them in getting back to their original profession in Canada. “I am delighted to see that PICS continues to look for opportunities to assist more newcomer professionals transitioning into their profession of choice,” said Satbir Cheema, CEO of PICS. The Foreign Credential Recognition Loan Program helps ITPs, who are Permanent Resident, Canadian citizen or Refugee with legal documents representing working status in BC. The FCR Program helps ITPs to complete their credentialing process, [...]

PICS Golden Glam-Ma Pageant 2019 organized by Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS), in support of PICS Diversity Village, a complex care home to be built in Cloverdale was a resounding success as over 500 people attended the event held at Taj Park Convention Center in Surrey. PICS Society was able to raise over $200,000. The fundraiser beauty pageant consisted of three rounds with 14 senior women as participants. The two judges were Tarana Kaur and legendary Bollywood Diva, Ms. Zeenat Aman. The guests of honour at the event were Consul General of India, Abhilasha Joshi; Mayor, City of Surrey: Doug McCallum; and Minister of Health: Adrian Dix. Other dignitaries in attendance were Provincial Ministers: Bruce Ralston and Harry Bains; MLAs: Jagrup Brar, Jinny Sims, Rachna Singh, and Anne Kang; City Councillors: Doug Elford, Allison Patton, Mandeep Nagra, Laurie; MPs: Sukh Dhaliwal, Randeep Sarai and Don Davies. There was a strong [...]

The 5th Annual Inclusive Employer Awards, organized by the Rotary Club of Surrey, was held on October 24th at the Surrey Arts Centre. PICS was recipient of the 2019 Inclusive Employer Award in the Not-for-Profits category. It was a celebration in recognition of employers who are making a difference in inclusive employment. Four awards were given out to businesses in Surrey, Delta and White Rock who go above and beyond to hire people with disabilities. Staff members take pride in winning this award. Together, we have helped create a culture of inclusiveness at PICS. The kindness and the support provided by PICS staff to employees and volunteers who have disabilities, is to be commended. PICS takes pride in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for their colleagues of any gender, sexual orientation, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. PICS Case Manager, Career Path for Skilled Immigrants Program, Maninder Sanghera nominated PICS and a [...]

How do you teach someone about a much-loved national holiday in Canada? You take a pie, some whipping cream and let ‘em go at it! The migrant workers in the Wednesday English class were absolutely delighted with the whole idea of Thanksgiving especially, “punkin” pie and whipping cream that sprays out of a bottle.

8 Participants from the 1st cohort of the Immigrant Public Works Technician Training Project graduated on October 4, 2019. Participants from this Project Based Labour Market Training Program (PBLMT) received training from Kwantlen Polytechnic University(KPU), support from ASTTBC, as well as work experience in occupational skills related to: public works, working safely, use of tools and equipment, environmental best practices as well as maintaining and repairing roads and sidewalks, water systems, sanitary and storm sewer systems, building maintenance, parks and recreation facilities and fire protection systems. Many thanks to PICS staff for putting this together and staff from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction for attending as well. Click Here for Video : IMG_9544 About PBLMT: Immigrant Public Works Technician Training Project is a 17 week- Project Based Labour Market Training Program (PBLMT), Participants will receive training from Kwantlen Polytechnic University(KPU) as well as work experience in occupational skills [...]

On September 23rd, a number of service providers from the Lower Mainland met at PICS for the Migrant Worker's Program's first Meet & Greet. Our speaker was Mr. Masud Azar, Program Manger at Salvation Army's Grace Mansion and expert on Human Trafficking. He emphasized that this is (akin to unjust servitude )and that we all had a part in making this a safe work place for all Canadians.   What is the TMW Program?   The Government of Canada’s Migrant Worker’s Program Support Network program spearheaded by ESDC is a pilot project aimed at informing and supporting Migrant Workers from economic exploitation and misinformation. This program will educate and support migrant workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities. Throughout the program, customized workshops will be conducted on legal issues, safety in the workplace, employment standards and other social services that the TMW are entitled to but do not access for [...]

Every year PICS Senior House residents and staff organize Akhand Path (the continuous, front to back, reading of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib)at the PICS Senior Housing Facility. The Akhand Path lasted for 3 days and the staff and residents volunteered these 3 days to prepare the langar (free meal served to all the visitors, without distinction of religion, caste, gender, economic status or ethnicity. The free meal is always vegetarian). This year PICS organized the Akhand Path  from September 6th to September 8th 2019.  This event was attended by hundreds of people not just belonging to the seniors housing but many of the friends, relatives and families of our clients and staff.  Dignitaries also showed their support, including: Adrian Dix- MLA for Vancouver-Kingsway, Harry Bains-Minister of Labour, Katrina Chen-Minister of State for Child Care, Anne Kang-MLA for Burnaby-Deer Lake, Rachna Singh- MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers, Sukh Dhaliwal- MP - Surrey [...]

PICS Mega Job Fair in Surrey was tremendously successful. We had a great turnout with over 2000 enthusiastic visitors and 81 exhibitors. The crowd was consistently bigger with each passing hour and the employers were very busy taking in resumes. The City of Surrey Councillors, MLAs and MPs also joined us to show their support. We achieved massive success and it wouldn't have been possible without the job seekers and exhibitors participation. Thank You! We also want to thank our staff and volunteers for their hard work in making this event successful and dignitaries for their continuous support.  

Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, Melanie Mark visited Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society head office on May 23, 2019 to make an announcement regarding the funding provided to PICS.  PICS Society will receive an annual funding over the next two years to deliver skills training programs and supports to young adults and young adults at risk, including former youth in care. The two programs at PICS are among 39 programs in BC that started on April 1, 2019. These programs are providing training and employment support programs for people aged between 18 and 24 years, regardless of their employment insurance availability. The types of programs vary by service provider, but typically include skills training, mentorship and other supports to help participants overcome employment barriers. These barriers could include lack of work experience or occupational skills, as well as involvement in the criminal justice system, incomplete high school [...]