WELARC
WELARC is a Winnipeg-based non-profit that provides free, government-funded standardized language assessments (CLBPA for English, BTC-NCLC for French) and referrals to language classes for newcomers to Manitoba.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersWinnipeg, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What WELARC does
WELARC, the Winnipeg English Language Assessment and Referral Centre, is a Canadian non-profit organization founded in 2007 and headquartered at 275 Portage Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It operates as the centralized, government-mandated language assessment office for newcomers in Manitoba, administering the standardized Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Assessment (CLBPA) for English and the Batterie de tests de classement aux Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (BTC-NCLC) for French. Assessments measure listening, speaking, reading, and writing competencies up to CLB Level 8 and are conducted by certified assessors holding provincial teaching qualifications, at least 300 hours of adult EAL teaching experience, and Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks certification.
WELARC's core product is a two-step service: standardized language assessment followed by referral to appropriate English as Additional Language (EAL) or French as Additional Language (FAL) classes, including part-time, full-time, in-person, and online options with childcare. The organization also issues LINC Certificates and progress reports documenting CLB levels. Service delivery occurs through walk-in hours at its Winnipeg office, phone and email inquiries, and a Google Forms-based online appointment tool, with supplemental content on a YouTube channel and Facebook page.
The business model is grant-funded rather than commercial. WELARC has been funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) since April 2013, and all services are provided free of charge to eligible newcomers (permanent residents, landing paper holders, and work permit holders). Customers access the service through self-referral, immigration consultants, settlement agencies, and Manitoba newcomer services. As a non-profit operating under government mandate, WELARC has no traditional sales or marketing motion and is constrained to a single Manitoba geography.
WELARC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- WELARC
- Legal name
- Winnipeg English Language Assessment and Referral Centre
- Website
- https://welarc.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- WELARC is a Winnipeg-based non-profit that provides free, government-funded standardized language assessments (CLBPA for English, BTC-NCLC for French) and referrals to language classes for newcomers to Manitoba.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
WELARC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Newcomer Language Assessment and Referral Services
- NAICS
- Language Schools (61163), Language Schools (611630), Educational Support Services (6117)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Immigrant/Integration Language Programs (ESL/ESOL, Civics-Integrated) (EDAMAFAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Immigration, Citizenship & Integration Language Exam Prep (EDANACAG), Language Proficiency Exam Prep (CEFR, TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, PTE) (EDANACAD), Newcomer & Refugee Student Support Programs (EDAJAGAH)
Keywords
Where WELARC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Winnipeg
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
WELARC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government Funding (IRCC): WELARC is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) since April 2013. The organization provides free language assessments and referrals to eligible newcomers. Revenue comes from government grants and program funding rather than direct customer payments. Previously operated as part of the Government of Manitoba's immigration strategy since 2007.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free language assessment and referral services for eligible newcomers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
WELARC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WELARC (Winnipeg English Language Assessment and Referral Centre) administers standardized language assessments — the Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Assessment (CLBPA) for English and the Batterie de tests de classement aux Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (BTC-NCLC) for French — for adult immigrants, refugees, and temporary residents. Following assessment, the centre refers eligible newcomers to appropriate English as Additional Language (EAL) and French as Additional Language (FAL) classes across part-time, full-time, in-person, and online delivery options. All services are provided free of charge to eligible newcomers under IRCC and Government of Manitoba funding.
Product overview
WELARC is a Winnipeg-based centralized language assessment and referral center for newcomers. The organization operates as a single integrated service offering: it provides standardized language assessments (the CLBPA for English and BTC-NCLC for French) followed by referrals to appropriate language classes. Services include part-time and full-time English as Additional Language (EAL) and French as Additional Language (FAL) classes, available in-person or online, with childcare options. The CLBPA and BTC-NCLC are the primary assessment tools that measure four skill areas (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing) up to CLB Level 8, and assessment results are used exclusively for class placement referrals—not for employment, academic, or immigration purposes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 250 hours of full-time classes typically needed for one CLB level improvement
Companies that use WELARC
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
WELARC technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
WELARC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
WELARC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Immigrant Services Calgary (ISC): Calgary-based non-profit offering language assessment, EAL/ESL training, and settlement programming funded primarily by IRCC. Directly comparable as a single-province centralized newcomer services provider.
- MOSAIC: Vancouver-based non-profit providing language training, translation, settlement, and employment services to immigrants and refugees under IRCC settlement funding. Mirrors WELARC's service-mix logic in a different provincial jurisdiction.
- COSTI Immigrant Services: Ontario-based non-profit delivering language training, assessment, and settlement services for newcomers under IRCC funding. Most directly comparable to WELARC as a multi-service newcomer provider in another province.
- Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS): Settlement agency offering language instruction and newcomer integration services in Alberta under IRCC settlement funding. Comparable scope and funding model to WELARC.
- Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS): Province-wide IRCC-funded settlement and language assessment body for newcomers in Nova Scotia. Operates the same federal-provincial funding model as WELARC and delivers CLB-aligned assessment and referral services.
- London Cross Cultural Learner Centre (LCCLC): Ontario-based non-profit providing language instruction, settlement services, and newcomer support under IRCC settlement funding. Comparable as a regional newcomer services body serving a similar mandate.
Broad incumbents
- YMCA Newcomer Services (Greater Toronto): Large multi-service non-profit delivering language assessment and settlement services to newcomers in the GTA, including LINC programming. Comparable newcomer-facing offerings but embedded in a much broader community services portfolio.
- Toronto District School Board – Adult LINC Program: Public-sector body delivering IRCC-funded LINC classes and CLB-aligned assessment referrals in Toronto. Comparable scope and IRCC mandate, though operating within a school board rather than as a stand-alone non-profit.
Others
- Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CCLB): National body that develops the CLB standards and certifies assessors that WELARC relies on. Adjacent rather than competitive — sets the assessment framework WELARC administers.
Regional players
- AMSSA (Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC): Provincial umbrella for settlement and language training providers in British Columbia, including coordinating LINC/CLB-aligned programming. Operates a similar IRCC-funded ecosystem role to WELARC but at an aggregated provincial level.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
WELARC social profiles
Digital presenceWELARC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WELARC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
WELARC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WELARC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about WELARC
What does WELARC do?
WELARC (Winnipeg English Language Assessment and Referral Centre) administers standardized language assessments — the Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Assessment (CLBPA) for English and the Batterie de tests de classement aux Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (BTC-NCLC) for French — for adult immigrants, refugees, and temporary residents. Following assessment, the centre refers eligible newcomers to appropriate English as Additional Language (EAL) and French as Additional Language (FAL) classes across part-time, full-time, in-person, and online delivery options. All services are provided free of charge to eligible newcomers under IRCC and Government of Manitoba funding.
Is WELARC a public or private company?
WELARC is a private company. It is currently operating.
When was WELARC founded?
WELARC was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is WELARC based?
WELARC is headquartered in Winnipeg, Canada, in the North America region.
How does WELARC make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Funding (IRCC).
Who are WELARC's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Immigrant Services Calgary (ISC), MOSAIC, COSTI Immigrant Services, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS), Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) and London Cross Cultural Learner Centre (LCCLC). Broad incumbents are YMCA Newcomer Services (Greater Toronto) and Toronto District School Board – Adult LINC Program. Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CCLB) is listed as an others. AMSSA (Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC) is listed as a regional player.
Does WELARC have an API?
No public API is recorded for WELARC.
What industry is WELARC in?
WELARC's product category is Newcomer Language Assessment and Referral Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAFAK, Immigrant/Integration Language Programs (ESL/ESOL, Civics-Integrated), with a secondary code of EDANACAG, Immigration, Citizenship & Integration Language Exam Prep. Its NAICS code is 61163 and its SIC code is 8200.