EIB Program: Implementation Guidelines for the Host Organization
1
Implementation Guidelines
for the Host Organization
The success of the Environmental Immigrant Bridging Program course rests upon
the partnership of ECO Canada, the host organization and the course instructor.
The following guidelines have been provided to assist the host program in running
the Environmental Immigrant Bridging Program course.
1.0 Preparation
1.1 Course Objectives
The objectives of the course are:
 to provide students with a strong grounding in higher level, occupation specific
language for the environmental sector;
 to provide students with a greater understanding of the cultural context of the
Canadian environmental sector workplace; and
 to provide students with the information and skills required to search for and
obtain employment in their area of expertise within the environmental sector.
1.2 Target Students
The target students are internationally trained environmental sector professionals
who are currently not employed in their field of expertise or who are
underemployed in their field of expertise. Students have a minimum of five years
of relevant work experience. The base language ability level required for entry into
the program is a CLB 7. Potential students must also demonstrate a commitment
to attending all classes, to actively participating in all classes, and to completing all
work required to process the information and skills presented in the classes.
1.3 Application Procedures
Target students must go through the following procedures in order to be admitted
to the course:
 completion of the application form online;
 demonstration of the required language ability (CLB 7); and
 demonstration of eligibility for the course (relevant degree or diploma, minimum
of five years of environmental work experience).
The application form is available online at www.eco.ca/bridging. Additional
information can be requested through immigration@eco.ca.
Copyright © 2011 Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada
EIB Program: Implementation Guidelines for the Host Organization
2
1.4 Class Size
The recommended class size is 12-15 students. The maximum class size is 25
students.
1.5 Course Length
The course is a total of 180 hours in length. The total time of instruction you
provide students can be increased by adding on short workshops your organization
already offers on topics of interest to the students (interview skills, computer skills,
networking skills). HOWEVER, the instructional time for the materials provided by
ECO Canada should not exceed 180 hours.
1.6 Course Schedule
The course is built in lessons that are in increments of 1.5 hours (90 minutes). The
lessons should be scheduled in the order listed in the Instructor’s Guide and the
Student’s Guide. There should be a 10 to 15 minute break every 1.5 hours.
Because the course is built in 1.5 hour increments, the provider can offer the
course in both full-time and part-time options. The full-time option consists of
three or four 1.5 hour increments per session, for a total class time of 4.5 or 6
hours per session. The part-time option consists of two 1.5 hour increments per
session, for a total class time of 3 hours per session.
1.7 Course Materials
You will need to make one copy of the Student’s Guide for each student. The guide
should be put into a binder with a clear plastic sleeve on the outside. Put a copy of
the manual cover in the plastic sleeve. Put the Acknowledgements, Course
Description and Table of Contents at the front of the binder. Then add the student
worksheets. The worksheets for each topic should be separated by a numbered
tab. There are ten topics so you will need ten tabs per student.
The materials should be copied in black and white except for the manual covers
which should be in colour. The materials should be copied single-sided to allow
students additional note space on the blank back side of each worksheet.
Provide each of your instructors with a full copy of the Instructor’s Guide. Also
provide the instructor with a copy of the PowerPoint slides on a CD. The
Instructor’s Guide and the CD should be returned to you at the end of the course.
Have each instructor sign a Materials Confidentiality Agreement (found in the
Administrative Documents section of this manual) before you release materials to
him/her.
Copyright © 2011 Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada
EIB Program: Implementation Guidelines for the Host Organization
3
1.8 Classroom Requirements
The classroom for the course should have the following:
 at least one large whiteboard or blackboard (preferably two);
 tables and seating that allow for different student interaction patterns (individual
work, pair work, small group work and whole class discussion);
 outlets at the front of the classroom for a laptop and LCD projector for the
instructor to use;
 internet access for the instructor’s laptop; and
 a screen on which to project the LCD projector.
Certain lessons require that all students have computer and internet access. For
these lessons, the instructor should be booked into a computer lab.
See the chart below for lessons in which the instructor requires a laptop, LCD
projector and internet access, and for lessons in which the students require
computer and internet access. Note: The use of PowerPoint is optional for the
instructor. If the instructor chooses to use PowerPoint, he/she will require the
laptop and LCD for every class.
Lesson Number and Name
1.1 Socializing and Networking Skills
1.2 Professional Communication
1.3 Conversation Management
1.4 Offering Opinion, Agreeing and
Disagreeing in a Professional Context
1.5 Telephone Communication Skills
1.6 Non-Verbal Communication Skills
1.7 Presentation Skills
1.8 Interview Skills
1.9 Professional Verbal Communication
Case Studies
2.1 A Professional Writing Style
2.2 Formatting Written Communication
2.3 Electronic Communication
2.4 Writing a Cover Letter and Resume
2.5 Proofreading and Editing Your
Written Communication
3.1 Adapting to Your Technical
Audience
3.2 Note Taking Skills for Technical
Writing
Laptop, LCD
projector and
internet access
required by the
instructor
N
N
N
N
Computer and
internet access
required by the
students
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
Y
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Copyright © 2011 Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada
N
N
N
N
EIB Program: Implementation Guidelines for the Host Organization
Lesson Number and Name
3.3 Drafting and Revising for Technical
Writing
3.4 Language Errors in Technical
Writing
3.5 Completing Proposals and
Progress Reports
3.6 Completing Environmental
Assessments
3.7 Analyzing Environmental
Assessments
4.1 Understanding Canadian
Culture...and Yourself
4.2 Overview of Canadian History
4.3 Overview of Canadian Geography
4.4 Overview of the First Nations of
Canada
4.5 Overview of the Canadian Economy
4.6 Overview of Canadian Business
Structures
4.7 Overview of the Canadian Political
System
4.8 Overview of the Canadian Legal
System
4.9 Human Rights Legislation
4.10 Workplace Legislation
4.11 Regional Research
4.12 Canadian Professional and
Cultural Context Case Studies
5.1 Environmental Sector Terminology
5.2 The History of the International
Environmental Sector
5.3 The History of the Canadian
Environmental Sector
5.4 Federal Environmental Legislation
5.5 Provincial Environmental
Legislation
5.6 Regional Environmental Legislation
Research
5.7 The Politics of the Environmental
Sector
5.8 ECO Canada
5.9 Hot Environment Topics
4
Laptop, LCD
projector and
internet access
required by the
instructor
N
Computer and
internet access
required by the
students
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
Y
N
Y
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Copyright © 2011 Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada
N
EIB Program: Implementation Guidelines for the Host Organization
Lesson Number and Name
5.10 The Canadian Environmental
Context Case Studies
6.1 Critical Thinking
6.2 Decision-Making
6.3 Risk Management
6.4 Critical Thinking and Judgment
Case Studies
7.1 Leadership
7.2 Negotiating and Building
Consensus
7.3 Conflict Resolution
7.4 Teamwork
7.5 Managing Others
7.6 Participating in Meetings
7.7 Leading and Influencing Others
Case Studies
8.1 Learning
8.2 Creativity
8.3 Learning and Creativity Case
Studies
9.1 Time Management
9.2 Financial Management
9.3 Project Management
9.4 Planning and Organizing Projects
Case Studies
10.1 A Code of Ethics
10.2 Conflict of Interest
10.3 Ethical Canadian Workplace
Behaviour
10.4 Work Ethics Case Studies
11.1 Computer Applications Used in
the Canadian Environmental sector
12.1 Professional Certification and Skills
Upgrading
12.2 Securing Employment in the
Environmental Sector
12.3 Career Night
5
Laptop, LCD
projector and
internet access
required by the
instructor
Y
Computer and
internet access
required by the
students
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
N
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
N
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
Copyright © 2011 Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada
Y
EIB Program: Implementation Guidelines for the Host Organization
6
1.9 Information about Local Services, Workshops and Courses
Throughout the course, the students will be given information about the services
and workshops that you, the host organization, offer or about workshops and
courses offered locally through other organizations, the Board of Education or a
local college. This will occur in specific lessons in which the topics of the lessons
relate directly to the services offered by the host organization or in lessons which
serve as an introduction to further professional training that students should take.
The coordination for providing this information to both the instructor and the
students should be completed PRIOR to the start of the course.
See the chart below for lessons that require information from the host organization
about services, workshops and courses.
Lesson Number and Name
1.1 Socializing and Networking Skills
1.2 Professional Communication
1.3 Conversation Management
1.4 Offering Opinion, Agreeing and
Disagreeing in a Professional Context
1.5 Telephone Communication Skills
1.6 Non-Verbal Communication Skills
1.7 Presentation Skills
1.8 Interview Skills
1.9 Professional Verbal Communication
Case Studies
2.1 A Professional Writing Style
2.2 Formatting Written Communication
2.3 Electronic Communication
2.4 Writing a Cover Letter and Resume
2.5 Proofreading and Editing Your
Written Communication
3.1 Adapting to Your Technical
Audience
3.2 Note Taking Skills for Technical
Writing
3.3 Drafting and Revising for Technical
Writing
3.4 Language Errors Technical Writing
3.5 Completing Proposals and Progress
Reports
Information Required from Host
Organization
Workshops on networking
Classes on professional communication
in English
Classes for advanced communication in
English
None
Workshops on telephone skills
None
Workshops on presentation skills
Workshops on interview skills
None
Workshops on professional or business
writing
Workshops on technical writing
Workshops on writing e-mails or
electronic communication
Workshops on writing a cover letter and
resume
Workshops or classes on advanced
English grammar
None
Copyright © 2011 Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada
None
None
None
None
EIB Program: Implementation Guidelines for the Host Organization
Lesson Number and Name
3.6 Completing Environmental
Assessments
3.7 Analyzing Environmental
Assessments
4.1 Understanding Canadian
Culture...and Yourself
4.2 Overview of Canadian History
4.3 Overview of Canadian Geography
4.4 Overview of the First Nations of
Canada
4.5 Overview of the Canadian Economy
4.6 Overview of Canadian Business
Structures
4.7 Overview of the Canadian Political
System
4.8 Overview of the Canadian Legal
System
4.9 Human Rights Legislation
4.10 Workplace Legislation
4.11 Regional Research
5.1 Environmental Sector Terminology
5.2 The History of the International
Environmental Sector
5.3 The History of the Canadian
Environmental Sector
5.4 Federal Environmental Legislation
5.5 Provincial Environmental
Legislation
5.6 Regional Environmental Legislation
Research
5.7 The Politics of the Environmental
Sector
5.8 ECO Canada
5.9 Environmental Hot Topics
5.10 The Canadian Environmental
Context Case Studies
6.1 Critical Thinking
6.2 Decision-Making
6.3 Risk Management
6.4 Critical Thinking and Judgment
Case Studies
7.1 Leadership
7.2 Negotiating and Building
Consensus
7
Information Required from Host
Organization
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Workshops on starting your own
business
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Workshops and courses on leadership
development
Workshops and courses on negotiating
Copyright © 2011 Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada
EIB Program: Implementation Guidelines for the Host Organization
Lesson Number and Name
7.3 Conflict Resolution
7.4 Teamwork
7.5 Managing Others
7.6 Participating in Meetings
7.7 Leading and Influencing Others
Case Studies
8.1 Learning
8.2 Creativity
8.3 Learning and Creativity Case
Studies
9.1 Time Management
9.2 Financial Management
9.3 Project Management
9.4 Planning and Organizing Projects
Case Studies
10.1 A Code of Ethics
10.2 Conflict of Interest
10.3 Ethical Canadian Workplace
Behaviour
10.4 Work Ethics Case Studies
11.1 Computer Applications Used in
the Canadian Environmental sector
12.1 Professional Certification and Skills
Upgrading
12.2 Securing Employment in the
Environmental Sector
12.3 Career Night
8
Information Required from Host
Organization
Workshops and courses on conflict
resolution
Workshops and courses on teamwork
Workshops and courses on general
management and interpersonal
communication
Workshops on business communication
None
None
None
None
Workshops on time management
Workshops on accounting and financial
management
Courses on project management
None
None
None
None
None
Workshops and courses on different
computer applications
None
Workshops on interview skills, writing
resumes and cover letters, networking
and job search skills
None
To further optimize the success of program participants, it is strongly encouraged
that the host organization integrate additional course components to strengthen
students’ corporate readiness. These can be course components that the host
organization already runs for other clients. If additional course components are
added to the program, the overall course length, will then surpass 180 hours;
however, it will utilize the success of current programs offered by the host
organization. These courses might include computer proficiency courses,
management and leadership courses, communications courses and/or employment
search courses. Host organizations may be interested in providing sign-up sheets
to additional courses during the abovementioned topics, while also integrating
mandatory workshops, such as resume and cover letter writing. As the intention of
the program is to provide program participants with Canadian environmental
Copyright © 2011 Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada
EIB Program: Implementation Guidelines for the Host Organization
9
experience, program offerings utilized by the agency for employer integration are
also encouraged.
1.10 Guest Speakers
In some lessons it is suggested that the instructor invite a guest speaker to talk to
the class about a particular area of expertise. The guest speakers are optional and
are subject to the availability of an appropriate expert. The coordination of the
guest speakers should be completed PRIOR to the start of the course. See the
chart below for the lessons in which a guest speaker has been suggested as an
option.
Lesson Number and Name
1.8 Interview Skills

4.11 Regional Research

5.8 ECO Canada

5.9 Environmental Hot Topics

5.10 The Canadian Environmental
Context Case Studies

7.5 Managing Others

11.1 Computer Applications Used in
the Canadian Environmental sector

12.2 Securing Employment in the
Environmental Sector


Optional Guest Speaker
A speaker from the host
organization to provide detailed
information on the interview skills
training offered by the organization
A speaker from the local area to
speak about the history, geography
and economy of the area
A representative from ECO Canada
to speak about the organization
A speaker from any of the sectors
represented in the hot topics or any
expert in a hot topic
A speaker who has taken part in an
environmental assessment or a
challenging environmental case
study
A local manager to speak about the
challenges of managing others in the
Canadian professional context
Speaker currently working in the
environmental sector to speak about
the software used in the sector
A representative from the host
organization to talk about
employment search services offered,
if applicable
An employee or human resources
representative to speak about what
they look for in an employee and
what it is like to work for that
particular employer. Environmental
Professionals (EP) may be interested
in sharing their career experiences
with students.
Copyright © 2011 Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada
EIB Program: Implementation Guidelines for the Host Organization
12.3 Career Night

10
Representatives of employers in the
local environmental sector to
participate in a mock networking
and interview event. This is an
opportunity for students to practice
these skills, while also providing
employers with an opportunity to
interview qualified candidates for
possible job openings in their
organizations.
1.11 Instructor Staffing
There are two options for staffing the instructors for the course. The first option is
to hire one instructor who has a wide range of expertise and so can handle all of
the subject matter and topics in the course. The second option is to hire a variety
of instructors, each with a particular area of expertise, to handle different topics.
See the chart below for the suggested instructor expertise for each topic in the
course.
Topic
EIB 1: Professional Verbal
Communication



EIB 2: Professional Written
Communication



EIB 3: Technical Writing



EIB 4: The Canadian
Professional and Cultural
Context

EIB 5: The Canadian
Environmental Context

EIB 6: Critical Thinking and
Judgment



Suggested Instructor Expertise
Excellent verbal communication skills
Strong understanding of the English language
A solid knowledge of communication patterns
and strategies.
Excellent written communication skills
Strong understanding of the English language
A solid knowledge of written communication
formats, patterns and strategies
Excellent written communication skills
Strong understanding of the English language
A solid knowledge of technical writing, including
writing style, document types and document
formats
Knowledge about what culture is, the forces that
shape it and how to analyze and understand it
Knowledge about Canadian history, geography,
aboriginal history, the Canadian economy, the
Canadian political system, human rights and
workplace legislation
A strong understanding of the Canadian
environmental sector, including policies and
regulations and employment
Experience teaching using scenarios and/or case
studies
A basic understanding of the key techniques for
Copyright © 2011 Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada
EIB Program: Implementation Guidelines for the Host Organization
EIB 7: Leading and Influencing
Others


EIB 8: Learning and Creativity


Topic
EIB 9: Planning and Organizing 
Projects
EIB 10: Work Ethics


EIB 11: Computer Proficiency

EIB 12: Building Your Career

11
critical thinking, decision-making and risk
management
Experience teaching using scenarios and/or case
studies
A basic understanding of current leadership
theory and Canadian leadership norms
An understanding of the philosophy behind
Canadian adult education and professional
development
An understanding of how innovation and
creativity are perceived in the Canadian work
context
Suggested Instructor Expertise
An understanding of or experience in project
management
An understanding of the Canadian professional
culture for work ethics
Experience teaching using scenarios and/or case
studies
Ability to discuss the different computer
applications used in the Canadian environmental
sector
A strong understanding of the environment
sector labour market and employment
requirements
Additionally you are looking for the following characteristics and/or experience:
 experience working with internationally trained professionals
 an understanding of what it takes to be successful in the environmental sector
 an ability and willingness to communicate directly and clearly about behaviour
that will make students successful or unsuccessful in the Canadian professional
culture
 an ability to model at all times the behaviour that will make students successful
in the Canadian professional culture (including dress, hygiene, posture,
communication style and interpersonal skills)
 good classroom time management skills and an ability to teach according to
tight timeframes
 disciplined teacher talk so that teacher talk is not excessive and/or irrelevant
 good classroom organization skills
ECO Canada reserves the right to approve all instructor appointments. As part of
the hiring process, please ensure that your instructors sign a Materials
Confidentiality Agreement prior to receiving any course materials.
1.12 Instructor Training
Copyright © 2011 Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada
EIB Program: Implementation Guidelines for the Host Organization
12
In order to train your instructors to teach the course you will need the following
materials:
 a computer
 an LCD projector
 the Train-the-Trainer PowerPoint (included in the Instructor’s Guide)
 one copy of the Instructor’s Guide per instructor
 one copy of the Student’s Guide per instructor.
To complete the instructor training, work through the PowerPoint and follow the
instructions provided in the notes section for each PowerPoint slide. The instructor
training will take between 1.5 and 2 hours depending upon how many questions the
instructors have.
2.0 Course Delivery
At the start of the course, please provide the instructor with an attendance list and
a student contact list. Please maintain regular communication with the course
instructor throughout the course delivery. Communicate about the following:
 any students who have been absent, either with or without notice
 any students who seem to be struggling with the course material
 information about local services that the instructor needs to provide to students
 guest speakers
 any issues with the classroom and/or facilities
 access to computers for the students and/or instructor.
3.0 Course Wrap-up
3.1 Course Evaluations
At the end of the course, please provide students with the opportunity to evaluate
the course and the instructor. Please use the following procedure to complete the
evaluations:
1. Use the evaluation forms provided.
2. Instruct students to NOT write their name on the form. All evaluations should
be completed anonymously.
3. Have the instructor select a student to collect the evaluation forms when all
students have completed them and put the forms in an envelope.
4. Have the instructor leave the room while students are completing the
evaluations. Keep a copy of the evaluations at your location. Send the originals
of the evaluations, along with the course attendance records and the materials
feedback forms, to ECO Canada at:
ECO Canada
Suite 200, 308 - 11th Avenue SE
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2G 0Y2
Copyright © 2011 Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada
EIB Program: Implementation Guidelines for the Host Organization
13
3.2 Certificates
Upon the successful completion of the program, provide each student with a
Certificate of Completion. The template for this certificate is available through ECO
Canada at immigration@eco.ca.
Copyright © 2011 Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada