Occupation-specific Language Training (OSLT)

Are you new to Canada? Do you want to communicate better at work?

Discover how Occupation-specific Language Training (OSLT) can help you improve your communication and language skills for the Canadian workplace.

On this page:

Read an OSLT success story
English language studies

OSLT Program Closure

As of September, 2026, IRCC will no longer fund the delivery of Occupation-specific Language Training. Our final course deliveries have finished as of July 31. We thank you for your interest and appreciate the years of positive participation from our learners.

About OSLT

OSLT is FREE work-oriented language training to help newcomers to Canada improve their workplace communication skills. Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and in partnership with Colleges Ontario, Georgian continues to provide information on pathways to employment and further education and training.

If you’re internationally trained or have experience in the fields of business or information technology but are experiencing communication barriers in the workplace, OSLT can help!

How can OSLT help me?

OSLT courses can help you develop the language and communication skills necessary to:

  • understand the workplace culture in your occupation or sector
  • interact clearly and effectively with clients, co-workers and supervisors
  • communicate effectively via email and telephone
  • develop interview and networking skills

Who is eligible?

To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Permanent resident or protected person; NOT a Canadian citizen
  • Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of five (5)
  • Relevant training/education or experience in the specific field
  • Temporary residents affected by the crisis in Gaza (showing “MOME2023” in status documentation until March 31, 2027)

CUAET holders, Ukrainian nationals with temporary resident status in Canada, and their dependents are no longer eligible for IRCC-funded services.

Note: You do NOT need to be employed to be eligible.

Julia Rokhina
Through this OSLT course, I’ve earned more than just knowledge. I attained a sense of community, a sense of belonging.

In class, I met professionals from all around the world, who were also navigating their new life in Ontario. Some already had their careers on track and wanted to upgrade their communication skills, others were still looking for a job that would fit their experience, and there were even several entrepreneurs among us who were already creating or planning to create new jobs here in Ontario. It was both a pleasure and an honour for me as a newcomer to participate in classes with such a brilliant and diverse audience.

Since March, I’ve started two bridging programs with Ryerson University, which I should finish by October. I got my first Canadian job last month. I’m sure the start that OSLT for Professional Managers at Georgian College gives would provide a lot of opportunities for many more professionals who chose Ontario as their new home.—Julia Rokhina (Read more about Julia’s OSLT success story)

Occupation-specific Language Training (OSLT) is available in French as La formation linguistique axée sur les professions (FLAP). If you wish to access French language training and/or French settlement services, please go to the FLAP website or contact the Francophone colleges (Boréal or La Cité).

Occupation-specific Language Training (OSLT) est disponible en français sous l’appellation La Formation linguistique axée sur les professions (FLAP). Si vous souhaitez accéder à la formation en français et/ou aux services d’établissement en français, veuillez s.v.p. vous rendre dans le site Web de FLAP, ou communiquer avec les collèges de langue française.

Contact us

Have questions? Need more information?

For more information about OSLT or booking a CLB assessment, please contact us.