LINC: A Retrospective and Future Directions LINC Administrators’ Conference March 7, 2007

History of LINC In the 70’s and 80’s there was a program for heads of family who were destined for the labour force that provided up to six months of language training as well as training allowances. In the 70’s and 80’s there was a program for heads of family who were destined for the labour force that provided up to six months of language training as well as training allowances. It was provided by community colleges. It was provided by community colleges. Most people who were referred to the program stayed for the entire six months of training Most people who were referred to the program stayed for the entire six months of training

History of LINC Eventually, there was court challenge that said that the program was discriminatory against women because it targeted heads of family. Eventually, there was court challenge that said that the program was discriminatory against women because it targeted heads of family. So CIC introduced the Settlement Language Program. It provided no training allowances, but it did provide child minding and a transportation allowance. So CIC introduced the Settlement Language Program. It provided no training allowances, but it did provide child minding and a transportation allowance. It opened the door to delivery by school boards and community agencies. It opened the door to delivery by school boards and community agencies.

History of LINC When LINC came along in 1992, it was modeled on the Settlement Language Program. When LINC came along in 1992, it was modeled on the Settlement Language Program. Brought in centralized assessment Brought in centralized assessment Delivered LINC 1-3 Delivered LINC 1-3 Shepherded by CIC staff (who were not experts in language training) Shepherded by CIC staff (who were not experts in language training) ORLAC was formed – a committee of subject matter experts representing deliverers who helped develop tools and shape the program ORLAC was formed – a committee of subject matter experts representing deliverers who helped develop tools and shape the program

Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA) signed on November 21, 2005 Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA) signed on November 21, 2005 Increased federal funding- additional 920 million over 5 years- for settlement and adult language training services Increased federal funding- additional 920 million over 5 years- for settlement and adult language training services Enhanced municipal role in immigration Enhanced municipal role in immigration

Consultations and the Strategic Plan Consultations on service needs of newcomers with stakeholders Consultations on service needs of newcomers with stakeholders Major needs: employment and language training Major needs: employment and language training Strategic Plan Strategic Plan Developed jointly by CIC and MCI Developed jointly by CIC and MCI Informed by needs identified in the consultations and other research Informed by needs identified in the consultations and other research Will guide program development and delivery Will guide program development and delivery

Strategic Plan 4 Strategies: Develop a flexible, coordinated system of SETTLEMENT SERVICES Develop a flexible, coordinated system of SETTLEMENT SERVICES Build on existing services to develop and implement a COMPREHENSIVE LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT, TRAINING SYSTEM Build on existing services to develop and implement a COMPREHENSIVE LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT, TRAINING SYSTEM WORK WITH MUNICIPALITIES and federal- provincial government departments to enable partnerships WORK WITH MUNICIPALITIES and federal- provincial government departments to enable partnerships Design, fund and administer settlement and language training programs based on how well they support desired OUTCOMES Design, fund and administer settlement and language training programs based on how well they support desired OUTCOMES

COIA Strategy 1 – Settlement Services Expand the availability of pre-arrival services Expand the availability of pre-arrival services Build effective information and referral systems that link newcomers to the resources they need through all stages of the settlement process Build effective information and referral systems that link newcomers to the resources they need through all stages of the settlement process Establish visible entry points or “first-stop” centres by co-locating services Establish visible entry points or “first-stop” centres by co-locating services Increase access to services through innovative partnerships among service providers and other stakeholders Increase access to services through innovative partnerships among service providers and other stakeholders Support the development of responsive, innovative services and delivery models that meet local conditions and/or engage employers Support the development of responsive, innovative services and delivery models that meet local conditions and/or engage employers Improve access to services in French Improve access to services in French Facilitate stakeholder participation Facilitate stakeholder participation Build capacity to engage newcomers in social networks. Build capacity to engage newcomers in social networks.

Features of Settlement Services Up-to-date accurate information and tools Up-to-date accurate information and tools Services that are available at the right time and place Services that are available at the right time and place Innovative partnerships to increase access to services to clients Innovative partnerships to increase access to services to clients Services that address diverse needs of diverse populations Services that address diverse needs of diverse populations Services that focus on strengths of newcomers rather than weaknessesOutcome-oriented approaches Services that focus on strengths of newcomers rather than weaknessesOutcome-oriented approaches Availability of services in both official languages Availability of services in both official languages Services designed to address local needs Services designed to address local needs Support for professional and organizational development Support for professional and organizational development Support to develop local capacity for planning and coordination Support to develop local capacity for planning and coordination

COIA STRATEGY 2 – Language Training Build on existing services to develop and implement a comprehensive language assessment, referral and training system that assists newcomers to become competent in English or French as quickly as possible. Build on existing services to develop and implement a comprehensive language assessment, referral and training system that assists newcomers to become competent in English or French as quickly as possible. Key elements include: Key elements include:  Expand and develop new programming at CLB/NCLC levels 7–12 to ensure that newcomers have the language competencies to study at the post- secondary level and/or have access to employment training  Develop and implement an ongoing system of occupation-specific language training supported by new partnerships  Coordinate and implement common standards for assessment and evaluation, and expand the current system to cover CLB/NCLC 1-12  Expand the role of language assessment centres to include assessment and referral to a range of programs  Develop and enhance French as a second language tools & curriculum materials  Establish language in the workplace programs where appropriate  Developing client-centred programming.

LINC 6 and 7 The COIA promises higher levels of language training and refers to 12 CLB levels. The COIA promises higher levels of language training and refers to 12 CLB levels. After discussion with the Province, it was determined that delivering higher levels of LINC was one of a number of initiatives that could move forward until the COIA strategy was developed. After discussion with the Province, it was determined that delivering higher levels of LINC was one of a number of initiatives that could move forward until the COIA strategy was developed. Programming for LINC 6 and 7 started on October 1, 2006 Programming for LINC 6 and 7 started on October 1, 2006 LINC 6,7, 6/7 Full-time Statistics: LINC 6,7, 6/7 Full-time Statistics: Number of Classes - 27 Number of Classes - 27 Number of Students – 509 Number of Students – 509 LINC 6,7, 6/7 Part-time Statistics LINC 6,7, 6/7 Part-time Statistics Number of Classes - 58 Number of Classes - 58 Number of Students – 889 Number of Students – 889

LINC Placement Grid As a result of a CFP, the TCDSB was chosen to develop the LINC 6 and 7 curriculum guidelines. As a result of a CFP, the TCDSB was chosen to develop the LINC 6 and 7 curriculum guidelines. LINC curriculum guidelines must be in accordance with a CLB placement and outcomes grid. LINC curriculum guidelines must be in accordance with a CLB placement and outcomes grid. A committee of language training experts (LINC assessors, language trainers, language specialists etc.) from across Canada met on January 30 to discuss/develop/endorse a national placement grid. A committee of language training experts (LINC assessors, language trainers, language specialists etc.) from across Canada met on January 30 to discuss/develop/endorse a national placement grid. The grid was endorsed as a national placement grid by CIC National Headquarters on February 14, 2007 The grid was endorsed as a national placement grid by CIC National Headquarters on February 14, 2007

LINC Placement Grid Skill Area LINC 1 (CLB 1) LINC 2 (CLB 2) LINC 3 (CLB 3,4) LINC 4 (CLB 4,5) LINC 5 (CLB 5,6) LINC 6 (CLB 6,7) LINC 7 (CLB 7,8) Speaking Entry pre ‑ CLB 1 23,45678 Objectives* CLB 1 23,45678 Exit Listening Entry pre ‑ CLB 1 23,45678 Objectives* CLB 1 23,45678 Exit Reading Entry pre ‑ CLB ,8 Objectives* CLB ,8 Exit Writing Entry pre ‑ CLB ,8 Objectives* CLB ,8 Exit National operational guidelines as approved February 2007

Recent Improvements to LINC Agreements amended in 2006 for: Reimbursement of actual cost of doing business Reimbursement of actual cost of doing business Increased salaries and benefits Increased salaries and benefits Enhancements to SPO sites Enhancements to SPO sites Capital cost purchases Capital cost purchases Increased # of computer labs, upgraded computers and software packages Increased # of computer labs, upgraded computers and software packages Increased promotion and outreach Increased promotion and outreach

ISAP Renewal and LINC In October 2006 a Request for Expressions of Interest and Pre Qualification (RFEI & PQ) was issued In October 2006 a Request for Expressions of Interest and Pre Qualification (RFEI & PQ) was issued 182 responses were received 182 responses were received 75 are current ISAP providers 75 are current ISAP providers More providers are needed More providers are needed A second Request is being offered A second Request is being offered From the respondents CIC will create a list of approved / pre qualified applicants From the respondents CIC will create a list of approved / pre qualified applicants

ISAP Renewal and LINC The list will be used to direct: Calls for Proposals for under serviced areas Calls for Proposals for under serviced areas Calls for Proposals for new services Calls for Proposals for new services Applications and Calls for Proposals for current ISAP projects Applications and Calls for Proposals for current ISAP projects If you want to be involved in the delivery of ISAP services in the future, visit the (RFEI & PQ) at (deadline Mar. 22) If you want to be involved in the delivery of ISAP services in the future, visit the (RFEI & PQ) at (deadline Mar. 22)

The Future of LINC Lots of money Lots of money Exploring new initiatives Exploring new initiatives Occupational specific/market sector language training Occupational specific/market sector language training Workplace communication skills Workplace communication skills Coordinated assessment system Coordinated assessment system Self-directed learning/ alternative learning facilities Self-directed learning/ alternative learning facilities Curriculum guidelines beyond 6/7 Curriculum guidelines beyond 6/7 Assessment tools Assessment tools LINC Tutoring LINC Tutoring LINC for Late Life Learning (i.e., for seniors) LINC for Late Life Learning (i.e., for seniors)And: Enhanced Language Training Enhanced Language Training Working towards regionalization Working towards regionalization