January 5, 2022 – Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Windmill Microlending have recently entered a partnership to support newcomers through Windmill’s low-interest microloan program. Sask Polytech and Windmill are committed to helping newcomer learners in the transition from underemployment to career success.
As part of this partnership Windmill’s outreach team will provide informational webinars to Sask Polytech staff and prospective students on their unique microloan program. Microloans have a significant social and personal aspect, where newcomers can feel like they’re succeeding, they’re belonging and that the upheaval of settling in a new country was worth it.
Affordable loans from Windmill also have real-world impacts including income growth of more than three times (3.4x) and a reduction in unemployment from 42 to seven per cent, among its newcomer clients. Windmill currently supports nearly 3,000 immigrant and refugee clients across the country.
“Nearly 15,000 newcomers arrive in Saskatchewan annually,” says Paula Calderon, Windmill’s national director, Client Success. “At Windmill, we are focused on helping these skilled immigrants and refugees realize their potential and achieve career success. We are excited to partner with Sask Polytech because, together, we can increase awareness about the benefits of our microloans, career coaching and supporting resources. We can help more newcomers in Saskatchewan convert their potential to prosperity.”
Windmill supports newcomers who arrive with education, skills and experience but face significant barriers to employment. For many immigrants, what prevents them from entering the labour market is a lack of financial support.
“Newcomers are an important part of our campus communities,” says Dr. Larry Rosia, Saskatchewan Polytechnic president and CEO. “We are excited for this new collaborative partnership with Windmill which provides students with more options for financial support, while working towards their educational and career goals. These loans can be used for training programs, licensing exams, course materials and more.”
Windmill provides microloans of up to $15,000 to skilled immigrants and refugees so they can succeed in their careers. They support clients to obtain the Canadian licensing or training required to work in their field, or to secure a position which matches their level of education, skills and experience. Windmill loans can pay for exams, training, credential assessments, books and materials, living allowance, relocation costs, professional association fees and other expenses related to advancing careers.
Learn more about Windmill Microlending.