Employment & Education
Are you looking for a job, growing your career, or continuing your education in Canada?
Finding the right support can make a big difference when starting a career or continuing your studies in a new country. Explore options on career guidance, job search assistance, training programs, and education services for newcomers.
Click below to go directly to the information you need
Explore job search support, training programs, and career services for newcomers and job seekers of all backgrounds.
WorkBC Centres – Burnaby Brentwood / Metrotown/ Edmonds
Offers job search support, skills training, employment counselling, and resume writing help.
YWCA Employment Services – Burnaby - Burnaby Brentwood Centre (Operated by YWCA)
Provides job readiness programs for women, including training, mentorship, and career coaching.
MOSAIC Employment Programs
Delivers employment support for immigrants including job matching, networking, and coaching.
ISSofBC Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants
A program that helps skilled immigrants with career coaching, job search support, and credential guidance to successfully find work in Canada.
Burnaby Neighbourhood House
Provides employment support, job readiness workshops, and career resources for individuals seeking to enter or re-enter the workforce.
ISSofBC – Journey to Success as a Newcomer Entrepreneur
ISSofBC offers programs like Spark and Ignite to help newcomers refine business ideas, develop plans, and launch successful businesses in Canada.
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
DBC supports newcomers entrepreneurs through financing and advisory services.
PICS (Progressive Intercultural Community Services)
Offers job readiness, employment counselling, and skills training across Metro Vancouver including Burnaby.
Dress for Success
Provides professional attire and career development for women returning to the workforce.
Welcome to Canada
Provides online tools for preparing to enter the Canadian workforce: NOC Code Finder, Soft Skills Practice, AI-powered Mock Job Interview, Canadian Career Kickstart.
Immigrant Employment Council of BC (IEC-BC)
Supports skilled immigrant workforce integration through employer connections and resources.
Self Employment for Newcomers | YMCA BC
YMCA’s free 10-week program helps newcomers gain business skills, develop a business plan, and start a small business in Canada.
Immigrants and the Labour Market
Provides online tools for preparing to enter the Canadian workforce: NOC Code Finder, Soft Skills Practice, AI-powered Mock Job Interview, Canadian Career Kickstart.
Education
Find information about schools and post-secondary institutions in Burnaby.
Post Secondary Education
Simon Fraser University
Offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across arts, science, business, engineering, and more.
BC Institute of Technology (BCIT)
Programs: Applied and natural sciences, business, engineering, health sciences, IT, trades, and apprenticeship training.
Douglas College – Training Centre (Burnaby)
Offers continuing education and professional development courses at its Burnaby Training Centre.
Sprott Shaw College – Burnaby Campus
Programs: Business, administration, health care, early childhood education, and more.
Ashton College – Burnaby Campus (Online/Hybrid)
Offers career-focused diplomas and certifications in immigration, HR, accounting, and more. (Mostly online; occasionally hosts workshops or in-person exams in Burnaby).
Sterling College (satellite classes held in Burnaby)
Programs: Nursing, IT, and business diploma programs (partnered with health institutions).
CDI College - Burnaby Campus
Programs: Health care, business, legal studies, technology, and design.
Financial Education
Coast Capital offers free financial education through workshops, online resources, and Coursera courses to help build money skills and long-term financial resilience.
World Education Services (WES)
WES has set the standard for international academic credential evaluation, that supports the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students in the U.S. and Canada.
Burnaby School District 41
Official home of all public schools, elementary and secondary-level listings, interactive map, and registration tools:
Secondary Schools (Grades 8 - 12)
Alpha Secondary
30 Alpha AvenueBurnaby Central Secondary
6011 Deer Lake ParkwayByrne Creek Community Secondary
7777 18th StBurnaby Mountain Secondary
8800 East Lake DrCariboo Hill Secondary
8580 16th AveBurnaby North Secondary
751 Hammarskjold Dr
Moscrop Secondary
4433 Moscrop St
Burnaby South Secondary
455 Rumble StElementary Schools (Grades K - 7)
Burnaby has approximately 41 elementary schools. These include:
Armstrong Elementary
Aubrey Elementary
Brantford Elementary
Brentwood Park Elementary
Buckingham Elementary
Cameron Elementary
Capitol Hill Elementary
Cascade Heights Elementary
Chaffey‑Burke Elementary
Clinton Elementary
Confederation Park Elementary
Douglas Road Elementary
Edmonds Community School
Forest Grove Elementary
Gilmore Community Elementary
Gilpin Elementary
Glenwood Elementary
Inman Elementary
Kitchener Elementary
Lakeview Elementary
Lochdale Community School
Lyndhurst Elementary
Marlborough Elementary
Maywood Community School
Montecito Elementary
Morley Elementary
Nelson Elementary
Parkcrest Elementary
Rosser Elementary
Seaforth Elementary
Second Street Community Elementary
South Slope Elementary
Sperling Elementary
Stoney Creek Community School
Stride Avenue Community School
Suncrest Elementary
Taylor Park Elementary
Twelfth Avenue Elementary
University Highlands Elementary
Westridge Elementary
Windsor Elementary
For contacts, addresses, and catchment details, use the School Locator Tool on the district website: Access it here
Special & Alternative Programs
BC School for Deaf - Burnaby Schools District
Provincial program serving K-12, co-located with Burnaby South Secondary
Burnaby Online Program
Full online K-12 offering, directly managed by SD41
Youth HUB Secondary Program
Grades 10-12 flexible learning program
Take a Hike & Royal Oak Secondary Programs
Alternative programming for grades 10-12
Private Schools in Burnaby
St. Thomas More Collegiate (STMC)
Independent Catholic Secondary School (Grades 8 - 12)
Deer Lake School
Independent Christian School (K-12) in Burnaby
Engage in opportunities to gain valuable Canadian experience, share your skills, meet people, and give back to the community.
Volunteering
Volunteer Burnaby
Volunteer Burnaby connects individuals with local volunteer opportunities and supports nonprofits through training and volunteer management. They help strengthen the community by matching volunteers with organizations in need.
City of Burnaby
City of Burnaby provides volunteer opportunities across city departments and programs which include festivals and specials events, access services, children’s programs, among others.
Burnaby Hospice Society
Burnaby Hospice Society offers volunteer opportunities in hospice care, providing compassionate support to individuals and families through end-of-life and bereavement services.
Burnaby Neighbourhood House (BNH)
Offers a variety of volunteer opportunities, including support for community programs and events, as well as roles focused on adult and senior literacy and digital skills training.
New to Canada? Want to improve your English? Here you can find free English classes to help achieve your goals.
English Language Classes
Burnaby School District 41 – Adult Education & LINC
Offers LINC and adult education ESL classes for permanent residents and refugees.
Douglas College - ESL & Academic Programs
Provides tuition-free English upgrading courses to help adults improve their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills for academic, employment, or personal goals. Classes are available from basic to advanced levels.
The Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)
This is the centre of expertise in support of the national standards in English and French for describing, measuring, and recognizing second language proficiency of adult immigrants and prospective immigrants for living and working in Canada.
Burnaby Public Library - English Conversation Circles
Informal English conversational practice in a welcoming drop-in setting. No registration required.
CLB - OSA
It is an online self-assessment tool for people who are interested in assessing their English as a Second Language (ESL). These tests are based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) and will assess your language proficiency in reading and listening.
Vancouver Community College (VCC)
Offers beginner to advanced English language training, including LICN, at Burnaby locations.
MOSAIC LINC / English Classes
Free LINC classes and English programs for eligible newcomers, including online options.
South Burnaby Neighbourhood House - ESL Support
Offers free, drop-in English conversation classes to help adult practice speaking and listening skills in a friendly, supportive environment. Open to all community members. No registration required.