Using an interactive delivery model, COA sessions provide relevant, accurate, and timely information and orientation on targeted topics such as travel, initial settlement, and in-Canada services.
- Over 320,000 individuals have benefited from the programme since 1998
- Training is 15 hours, spread over 3 days; with adult and youth-focused curricula
- In-person group sessions have an average of 25 participants
- Refugees age 13 and over resettling to Canada are eligible
- Supports available include interpretation, childminding, meals, transportation and accommodation grants
- There are 14 permanent COA training locations: Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Pakistan, Sudan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Türkiye, and Uganda
- Many permanent COA training locations have regional functions and deliver in-person mobile training sessions in other countries as well as remote sessions using virtual or telephonic modalities
- COA is conducted in over 100 countries worldwide, annually
The COA programme is based on an interactive delivery model which draws from the wealth of experience of participants, ensures content is accessible to all learning profiles, and fosters active participation. A mix of printed materials and activities are used in order to help participants engage in learning and better retain information. COA training materials are available in 16 languages and a wide variety of visual aids are used for those who may not read in their mother tongue.