The Montérégie West Community Network (MWCN) in collaboration with 4Korners are proud to launch “English as an Asset: Boosting Employability,” a regional initiative delivering locally accessible, English-language employment services across Montérégie Ouest and the Laurentians.
Serving more than 103,000 English speakers in Montérégie West and 47,000 in the Laurentians, this new program aims to expand support for English-speaking job seekers, helping them access meaningful employment closer to home. Funding for this initiative is provided through YES Employment + Entrepreneurship’s Community Opportunity Fund, supported by the federal government.
Despite relatively high levels of education, English-speaking residents continue to face systemic barriers: unemployment rates are 3.7 per cent higher than those of francophones, and average annual earnings are approximately $5,000 lower. Limited access to English-language services often forces individuals to travel long distances for support—delaying workforce entry or pushing them to seek employment outside their region.
“Many residents in our region are ready and willing to contribute to the workforce, but language barriers and limited local services have made it more difficult to find sustainable employment. This initiative brings practical skills training, individualized support, and job placement opportunities closer to home—helping people build careers without leaving their communities,” said MWCN Executive Director Pauline Wiedow.
4Korners Executive Director Hugo Bissonnet added, “As a thriving economic region, the Laurentians rely on key sectors such as aerospace, tourism, retail, and professional and technical services —industries and of course tourism, with more than 3 million people visiting the region annually. In many cases where English should be an asset, not a barrier. Strengthening our economy requires attracting and retaining talent, and English-speaking communities must be part of the solution to labour shortages.”
The project will directly benefit 240 English-speaking job seekers between January 2026 and March 2027 by:
Delivering 30 employability workshops focused on interview skills, professional communication, and AI readiness
• Providing 80 to 120 individualized employment counselling sessions tailored to career goals and local labour market needs
• Hosting three job fairs and one AI-focused “Future-Ready Careers” event connecting residents with local employers
• Building 15 partnerships with employers, training providers, and community organizations to create sustainable employment pathways
This inclusive initiative is open to all English-speaking job seekers, including youth, newcomers, Indigenous peoples, mature workers, women, visible minorities, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, and persons with disabilities. It strengthens workforce readiness and bilingual capacity while creating a model of community-driven employment support that benefits local economies.
