Markets as Incubators for Language, Cultural and Work Skills Development of Recent Immigrant & Refugee Women

Now accepting applicants for 2023

About the Program 

An award-winning program for recent immigrant and refugee women to learn how to make and sell handcrafted goods at farmers' markets and craft fairs in Victoria.

This no-cost program delivered for the third year by Camosun College, in association with the DIVERSECITY Community Resources Society, Mustard Seed, Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA) and the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets (BCAFM), is designed to help immigrant and refugee women acquire language, business and communication skills necessary to start their own small businesses and assist with integration into the local community. 

Phase 1: Mar to May 2023

Phase 2: May to Nov 2023

  • Improve your English language skills
  • Develop team building and communication skills
  • Learn the basics of business, entrepreneurship and product development
  • Develop employment and maker skills (foods and crafts)
     
Blended Learning: In person at Camosun, in community and online
Time Commitment: Morning or early afternoons, 4-5 days per week
  • Problem-solve with instructors and mentors
  • Apply skills and develop your products
  • Participate in weekly farmers' markets/craft fairs
  • Ongoing language and communication skills development
Blended Learning: In person at Camosun, in community and online
Time Commitment: Up to 10 hours per week

 

 

Information Sessions

Recruitment for the 2023 cohort has begun! The following tentative online information sessions will be held October 2022 to March 2023 for any who would like to learn more about the Maker-to-Market Program. Please email markets@camosun.ca if you have any questions.

Afternoon Sessions (12:00 PM to 1:00 PM)

Evening Sessions (6:00 PM to 7:00 PM)

  • February 8
  • February 22
  • March 8
Login to the afternoon online info session by clicking here or join by telephone by calling 1-888-899-2266 (PIN: 900 177 6815), or attend in-person at Camosun College Lansdowne Campus, Fisher Building, Room 210.
  • February 15
  • March 1
Login to the evening online info session by clicking here or join by telephone by calling 1-888-899-2266 (PIN: 725 327 1623), or attend in-person at Camosun College Lansdowne Campus, Fisher Building, Room 210.

Eligibility

Only the following persons are eligible to receive settlement services and be able to participate in this program:

  • Permanent residents of Canada or Protected Persons (Immigration and Refugee Protection Act); Individuals who have been selected inside or outside Canada to become permanent residents (pending verification) and who have been informed by a letter from IRCC;
  • Convention refugees and protected persons outside Canada who have been selected for resettlement in Canada by IRCC; and
  • Temporary foreign workers who hold or received approval of a work permit under section 112 or received initial approval for permanent residence under section 113 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
  • Eligible persons include principal applicant and eligible dependents.
  • Canadian citizen and non-permanent residents are not eligible for this program.

Applicants must also:

  • Have a Canadian Language Benchmark score of 3 or higher in reading, writing, listening and speaking

Successfully complete an intake interview to ensure that they have a good understanding of the program and are aware of the time commitment

Apply Today

Class Size: Limited to 12 Participants.

 

Contact Information

Maker to Market

Sydney Wilson

250-370-3266

markets@camosun.ca