More than Economic Integration: An Independent Evaluation of ISANS’ English in the Workplace Program


Immigrant success is often defined and described in terms of self-sufficiency. Migrants are regarded as successful in their settlement efforts when they achieve economic success. To this end, settlement programs are typically designed to ensure labour market readiness, with employment as their final objective. That said, as a growing body of academic literature demonstrates, “getting a job” is only one aspect of successful integration, and newcomers often continue to require support after they’ve secured employment. Our qualitative study took as its focus an innovative, individualized language and cultural training program offered by the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) called English in the Workplace (EWP).