Language Assessment, Referral, and Counselling Centre (LARCC) 2012-2013 Public Report

This brief public report provides demographic and statistical answers to three questions:

1) Who is coming for service at the Language Assessment, Referral, and Counselling Centre (LARCC) of Immigration and Settlement Service, at Catholic Social Services?

2) What are these clients’ goals and priorities?

3) What are their language levels?
 

As outlined in the report, LARCC comprises two language assessment and referral programs for adult immigrants to the Edmonton area. The main focus of the report is on the new clients served during this last fiscal year by the provincially funded side of LARCC, the Language and Vocational Assessment (LVA) team. Where possible, the report also includes parallel information of services rendered by the federally funded Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) assessment team at LARCC, and for clients returning for service in months or years following initial service.
 

The purpose of the report is to build community knowledge of skills, aspirations, needs, and characteristics of our international newcomer adult population. Many newcomers are relatively isolated in their learning and career process, and unaware of local resources and systems. Referrals, networks, and follow-up supports are critical components to facilitating eventual career and settlement success. Beginning with this centralized assessment and referral service, we seek to promote substantive labour market success for the majority of international newcomers to Edmonton.
 

We envision a healthy economy where all members are supported to meet their potential, in an encouraging environment, rich with social, learning, and business connections, in a vibrant and consciously welcoming culture.