Occupation-specific Language Training (OSLT) are free communication skills courses for newcomers.
Participants will develop the language and communication skills needed to:
- understand workplace culture in their occupation and sector
- interact effectively with their colleagues, clients and supervisors
- give and receive information by email and telephone
- interview and network effectively
Conestoga College offers OSLT courses in the following areas:
- Business
- Health Sciences
- Human Services
- Technology
Admission requirements
Participants must be permanent residents or protected persons who live in Ontario and have:
- training or experience in a specific occupation or sector, but need to improve their occupation-specific communication skills.
- language proficiency of at least level 5 in Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). Some courses/modules require higher CLB levels.
Program classes
Please contact OSLT@conestogac.on.ca for more details.
Business: Accounting/Finance
This practical and innovative course will help you:
- understand business workplaces in Ontario
- communicate effectively with customers, suppliers, financial officers and governmental offices
- develop strong interviewing, networking and career-building communication skills
Business: Entrepreneurship/Sales/Marketing
This practical and innovative course will help you:
- understand business workplaces in Ontario
- interact effectively with customers, colleagues, employees, suppliers, financial officers and government officials
- network and connect with local business associations, employers and employment resources
- learn how to use your workplace communication training in a variety of business and workplace settings
Business: Communication Skills for Professional Managers
This practical and innovative course will help you:
- understand management within business and technology workplaces in Ontario
- interact effectively with staff, colleagues, upper levels of management
- network and connect with employers and employment resources
Healthcare
This practical and innovative course will help you:
- understand health care workplaces in Ontario such as hospitals, clinics and nursing homes
- interact clearly and effectively with colleagues, clients and supervisors
- develop strong interviewing, networking and career-building communication skills
Interprofessional Healthcare
This practical and innovative course will help you:
- provide and obtain information on the care of a client
- describe your occupation to another professional
- seek and provide assistance to team members
- manage challenging team interactions
Technology
This practical and innovative course will help you:
- understand technology workplaces in Ontario
- interact clearly and effectively with colleagues, clients, supervisors and stakeholders and in project teams
- develop strong interviewing, networking and career-building communication skills
Early Childhood Education Providers
This practical and innovative course will help you:
- understand human services workplaces in Ontario, including child-care centres and schools
- interact clearly and effectively with colleagues, clients, supervisors, and the public
- network and connect with local employers, agencies, and employment resources
- learn how to use your workplace communication training in settings such as nursery schools, centre and home-based daycares, elementary schools, and high schools
Program locations
Classes are currently being held virtually. When in person, courses may be offered at any of the following locations:
- Conestoga Waterloo campus, 108 University Ave. E, Waterloo
- Conestoga Kitchener - Doon campus, 299 Doon Valley Drive, Kitchener
- 800 King St. W., Kitchener
Opportunities and pathways
Students who graduate from any Workplace Communication skills class will receive a certificate of completion and may be interested in moving directly into the workforce or pursuing the following programs:
-
Bridging programs
- Certificate programs
- Diploma programs
- Degree programs (depending upon admission criteria)
Conestoga College OSLT is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.