This program closed April 1, 2026 and is no longer accepting new participants.
For updates on future opportunities, please subscribe to our monthly newsletter, or consider registering for our Flagship program.
The ITL Pathway to Employment Program (ITL PEP) aims to assist internationally trained Lawyers on their journey to getting back into legal practice in Canada. ITL-PEP provides mentoring support, cultural awareness training, job readiness workshops for participants, and articling placement for those who have obtained their certificate of qualification.
The Internationally Trained Lawyers Pathway to Employment Program is funded by the Government of Alberta.
As part of the Job Readiness support for program participants, CRIEC will provide an online program designed to bring ITLs up to speed with the cultural challenges they are likely to encounter in the employment space, and how they can successfully deal with these challenges. Equipping participants with the soft skills to navigate the Canadian legal landscape, ensuring a smooth transition and successful integration.
Mentors will guide participants through job search strategies, Canadian workplace culture, goal setting, networking, resource identification, and role modelling.
CRIEC offers two forms of Mentoring opportunities to program participants:
ITLs in the program will have access to funding (in the amount of $500 per person) to take the Legal Research and Writing Skills Course or a Legal Analysis Training, or similar related course. This amount can be applied toward the Student at Law’s (SAL) Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education (CPLED) training tuition payment.
Speed mentoring events, like SmartConnections, aim to provide program participants the opportunity to connect with leading employers, recruiters, and hiring managers. Attendees can engage with potential employers, and network with industry professionals, all of which contribute to enhancing career prospects and fostering diversity in Alberta’s Law sector.
CRIEC will work with employers to secure a year placement with a law firm or in-house law departments for 50 ITLs over two years.
This process assumes everything is completed correctly.
Our Mentorship and Job Readiness programs take approximately 2-3 months to complete.
Residency Status: Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents, or Refugee/Protected Persons selected by IRCC.
Educational Requirements: Must hold a degree equivalent to the Canadian standard. The program is open to ITLs who:
Empower Internationally Trained Lawyers (ITLs) and promote diversity in the legal profession by partnering with us.
Once matched, your firm will:
Participating firms can assess their fit for full-time employment at the end of the articling term. Plus, your firm will receive support through a Grant Agreement to help foster ITL growth in the legal field.
Participating Law firm will have access to funding in the amount of $20,000.00 per articling student, payable at the end of the articling year.
For more information please email itlpep@criec.ca
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