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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday June 30, 2006 - 15 Government unveils new Bridge-To-Work Service program Continued from page 1 shirt -- agreed, saying Canada boasts 400 years of immigration that have not only broadened cultural diversity but also added to the Canadian quality of life and peace. Esther Shaye, representing Halton MP Garth Turner, then gave Matthews a new Canadian flag to fly over HMC's office. Another special guest was Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Mike Colle, who said Canadians come from 200-plus countries and bring with them their "brightest and best." He then praised HMC for its leading role in aiding immigrants. "The Halton Multicultural Council is nurturing Canada by nurturing newcomers," he said. Colle was also on hand to mark the launch of HMC's Bridge-to-Work Service for Internationally Trained Accountants and Bookkeepers, a program designed for professionals who are convention refugees, permanent residents, permit holders and Canadian citizens and have two or more years experience in the bookkeeping and accounting. "Our new service addresses barriers that impede the integration of internationally trained accountants into the Canadian labour market," said Matthews. "Common barriers for newcomers include a lack of understanding of workplace language, culture and the requirements for licensure. We also find that many employers are unaware of the tremendous skills and global experience the internationally trained offer them." Colle said the Province has invested $484,126 in the program, which will support at least 144 newcomers over a two-year pilot period. LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER SMILE FOR THE CAMERA: Pravjot Bhamra and Sumia Shaukat take a photo of themselves at the Halton Multicultural Council's (HMC) annual Multiculturalism Day Picnic at Bronte Creek Provincial Park on Tuesday. "We're helping internationally trained accountants and bookkeepers work in the field of their expertise. Newcomers have the drive, the skill and the global experience that Ontario needs to prosper," said Colle. "We are very proud to be partners with the Halton Multicultural Council." Viresh Panchal, one graduate of the program, said Bridge-to-Work was instrumental in him landing contract employment with a chartered accountant firm. "I'm pleased I got a job within a month. This is quite an achievement," said Panchal, a married father of two sons who had 10 years accounting experience in India and England before coming to Canada in April. Panchal said he was just about to accept a door-to-door sales job before hearing about said Bridge-to-Work and enrolling. "My job was only possible through the program," he added. Said Colle, who gave Panchal a framed commemorative certificate: "This is a great success story." Earlier in the afternoon, the Oakville Kiwanis Club presented a cheque for $5,000 in support of HMC's Summer ESL Program for Children. Oakville firm Omron also gave HMC a cheque for $4,586. HMC is a community agency dedicated to enabling every individual, regardless of race or ethnic origin, to participate as full and active members of the community through fostering mutual respect and understanding of one another. It is the only agency that facilitates and assists the settlement and integration of new immigrants and refugees to Halton Region. THE CONSERVATION ZONE EVERY KILOWATTS COUNTS ­ EVEN AT THE COTTAGE! Chief Energy Conservation ongoing energy strategy. 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