KEYS Employment & Newcomer Services

09/15/2026

Next STEP is a five-week experiential program running October 12 to November 13. Participants will explore career options, build workplace skills and confidence, receive safety training and certifications, meet employers and mentors, and gain hands-on exposure to skilled trades.

Next STEP is looking for young people 25 and under who are recent high school graduates (within the last 3 years) and/or transitioning from school to work, are not yet established in a career, and are motivated to work, learn, and explore their options.

To gain the most benefit from this program, participants must be:
▪️ Able to commit to the full 5-week program
▪️ Interested in career exploration with a focus on trades and manufacturing
▪️ Motivated, reliable, and dependable
▪️ The training and workshops require Grade 10 literacy and CLB 5+ to fully participate and obtain the certifications.

Interested applicants must attend one of our upcoming information sessions at KEYS, 182 Sydenham Street:

▪️ Tuesday September 22 | 10:00am–11:00am
▪️ Thursday September 24 | 2:00pm–3:00pm

For questions, please email: [email protected]

09/11/2026

Wishing a happy Rosh Hashanah to all those celebrating.
May the New Year bring peace, good health, happiness, and new opportunities to you and your loved ones. Shanah Tovah!

09/09/2026

CareerSTART Information Session

Are you a recent post-secondary graduate looking to start your career?

Join KEYS for a CareerSTART Information Session and learn how the program can help you access a 16-week wage-subsidized placement along with other employment supports.

▪️ Tuesday, September 15, 2026
▪️ 10:00 AM

Who should join?

Recent post-secondary graduates who completed their studies within the last 3 years and are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, along with additional program eligibility requirements.

Interested in attending?
Email Anil at [email protected] with a brief introduction and your resume to secure your spot.

🎁 Bonus: One lucky attendee will receive a $25 Tim Hortons gift card!

Questions? Contact Anil:
📞 613-546-5559 ext. 248
📱 613-453-2403
📧 [email protected]

Your future STARTS here!

09/07/2026

We love seeing Aidee Rebollo and Adelitaz Mexican Food in the spotlight! ❤️

Aidee’s story is also a wonderful example of why the KEYS Harbour Community Kitchen exists.

As an HCK participant, Aidee has had access to licensed commercial kitchen space, business supports, mentorship and - perhaps most importantly - a community where food entrepreneurs can test, learn, grow and build their businesses.

And Aidee is not alone. HCK is incubating a growing community of women-led food businesses, each with its own story, flavours and ambitions.

We are incredibly proud to have played a part in Aidee’s journey from idea to thriving food business, and we can’t wait to see where she takes Adelitaz next.

Congratulations, Aidee! 👏

Adelitaz Mexican Food serves tacos, sopes and huaraches in Kingston, with tortillas made in-house. Meet Aidee Rebollo, and the reason corn runs through it all.

09/07/2026

Happy Labour Day!
KEYS Job Centre will be closed Monday September 7, reopening Tuesday September 8.
We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable long weekend.

08/27/2026

KEYS is looking for a Resettlement Advisor!

📅 Start: September 28 2026, or ASAP
📅 End: April 2 2027, with possibility of extension to February 2028
💰 Pay: $32.32 | 35 hours/week
📍 Kingston, ON
🕒 Apply by: 9am - September 28, 2026
📩 Apply to Jaclyn Nadon at [email protected]
👉 More info: https://ow.ly/mokX50ZFKTz

Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

This posting is for an existing vacancy. KEYS does not use AI in its recruitment process. KEYS is committed to employment equity. We encourage members of designated groups to apply and self-identify.

KEYS is also committed to an inclusive, barrier-free selection process.

We will make appropriate accommodation throughout the recruitment and selection process for applicants with disabilities.

To obtain a copy of this posting and job description in an alternate format,
or to request any accommodation, contact us directly at:
[email protected] | 613.546.5559 Ex. 247 | TTY: 613.546.0511
Information received relating to accommodation requests will be addressed confidentially.

KEYS is located on the traditional homelands of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Huron-Wendat. We strive to support all those impacted by colonialism.

08/21/2026

Partner Appreciation: Immigrant Services Kingston and Area - ISKA

The Newcomer and Employment services team at KEYS is proud to collaborate with the ISKA team who also supports newcomers with settlement needs, government documents, housing, school and daycare enrolment, community resources and connections, multilingual services, mentoring and counselling, language assessments, referrals, and more.

For many newcomers who join our LINC English classes, their language-learning journey begins with an assessment through ISKA's Language Assessment and Referral Centre. The assessment helps identify their current language level and the language training that best fits their needs. From there, learners can continue building their English skills through programs such as LINC at KEYS.

Thank you to the team at ISKA for being such an important part of our community and championing newcomer support along with KEYS and many other wonderful partners.

08/19/2026

The InSight Youth Mentoring Program at KEYS is inviting caring community members to become mentors to youth, including newcomer and refugee youth building their lives in Canada.

We are particularly interested in hearing from people who can support youth with:
• Learning and communicating in a second language
• Grade 11 and 12 Math and English
• Navigating the experiences of racialized newcomer and refugee youth
• 2SLGBTQPIA+ identities and experiences, including mentors with lived experience

Mentors meet with their mentee for approximately one hour each week, with training and ongoing support from the InSight team.

For more details:
• Visit: https://ow.ly/mHyt50ZAyYI
• Email: [email protected]

📅 Upcoming Mentor Training: September 22 & October 6 at 4:30 p.m.