Established in 1982, Skills for Change (SfC) is a not-for-profit organization that provides mentoring and "sector-specific" programs and services for newcomers to the Canadian work environment, specifically, in the fields of accounting, biotechnology, engineering, education and health care. Its services connect thousands of newcomers with employers across the greater Toronto area. Annually, SfC serves more than 7,000 people.

SfC has a network of more than 700 employers in health care, retail, finance, information technology, manufacturing and social and government services. The Certified General Accountants of Ontario is part of this network via sponsoring and participating in SfC’s New Pioneers Awards gala. This event honours individuals who have overcome barriers to achieve success in a specific category and who have made significant contributions in the community.

CGA Ontario has sponsored the New Pioneers Skills for Change Graduate Award for numerous years.
In addition to our sponsorship activities, individual CGAs mentor newcomers who wish to pursue professional Canadian accounting designations. Wayne Haymer, CGA, and Kanchan Kaura, CGA, are two who come to mind. CGA Ontario also participates in Skills for Change's Sector Terminology and Information Counselling (STIC) program. CGA Ontario staff speaks to STIC classes to provide details on how to become a CGA.

CGA Ontario 2008 Graduate Award Winner: Afshin Ebtekar
Skills for Change, New Pioneers Awards Program

For more information please contact marketing@cga-ontario.org.