Quinte Immigration Services is launching a new pilot program aimed at helping interested Syrian refugees grow their skill set in the agriculture industry.
Farmers Feed The World is a training program that promises to provide information on Canadian agriculture practices, starting a farm and selling food in Ontario, regulations regarding work and food safety along with land transactions and leasing.
QUIS executive director Orlando Ferro says their research shows 45 percent of government assisted refugees in Ontario have an agricultural background from the time they lived in Syria. By the end of September the Quinte area, plus surrounding area, will have welcomed 79 privately- sponsored Syrian families.
Ferro said the idea was sparked form a series of recent forums within the Quinte area aimed at helping first line respondents in the social services, health professionals, employment agencies and language.
Now with support from the Eastern Central Ontario Training Board and $49,000 in funding from the Canadian Red Cross, the project is expected to last 12 months.
Information sessions are planned for November 2016 and will be available in Arabic.
For more details call Quinte Immigration Services at (613) 968-7723 or email info@quinteimmigration.ca
