Many internationally trained professionals move to Canada with education, experience, and expertise, but face barriers to having their skills recognized in order to join the labour market. A group in Newfoundland and Labrador formed a co-op to help newcomers overcome these barriers.

The Expertise Hub Cooperative is a non-profit, predominantly women-led coop that provides free, government-funded programming, mentorship, supported referrals, transition-to-employment supports, and project-based work opportunities that help members build Canadian experience, strengthen their professional networks, and access meaningful paid opportunities.

“A co-operative structure allows us to build solutions with the people most affected by these barriers, rather than only designing services for them,” a representative of the co-op said. “One of the biggest advantages of organizing as a co-operative is that it keeps the focus on community impact rather than private profit…This structure helps us build trust, strengthen collaboration, and create a more inclusive labour market together.”

Expertise Hub members can access mentorship, supported referrals, professional development, networking opportunities, and transition-to-employment supports through the co-op’s programming. It connects members with paid opportunities, including contract-based work, short-term employment, long-term employment, and project-based roles with community organizations, businesses, and public-sector partners.

Co-operatives First was proud to help incorporate and support this federal co-operative!