Newcomers to Abbotsford will benefit from an improved immigrant settlement services program that helps them adapt in their new lives and gain employment.

The Abbotsford Community Services Society immigrant services program received $896,341 in funding from the province to help make the transition to Canada easier for new residents.

"Immigrating can be daunting, especially when moving to somewhere unfamiliar. These services will go a long way," said Michael de Jong, Abbotsford West MLA and B.C.'s Minister of Health.

This funding is part of a $20.3 million annual budget for the Settlement and Integration Program under WelcomeBC.

The funding goes towards orientation classes and workshops on a wide variety of topics such as how to find a job, how to find a place to live, and how to navigate the local transit system and banking basics.

"The services this money supports are vital to helping new immigrants integrate into our community," said Abbotsford South MLA John van Dongen.

B.C. continues to be one of Canada's most popular destinations for new immigrants, welcoming more than 40,000 newcomers each year.

"We are seeing immigration from many diverse cultures, and these services will go a long way in helping new residents settle in and begin their new life, said AbbotsfordMission MLA Randy Hawes.

By 2019, it's expected that there will be over a million job openings in the province, and skilled immigrants will play a vital role in filling many of those positions.