Windmill Microlending and Lighthouse Labs – Partners in helping immigrants achieve career success

Looking to advance and launch your career in web development or data science?

Windmill Microlending can help you afford a Lighthouse Labs program.

About Windmill Microlending

Windmill Microlending is a Canadian non-profit offering low-interest career loans to help newcomers pay for the education they need to succeed in Canada. Since 2005, Windmill has supported over 10,000 immigrants and refugees to overcome underemployment and succeed in their careers.

We partner with institutions to help their members cover costs of tuition, accreditation, relocation and living costs. Our affordable loans are designed to meet the unique needs of immigrant clients, who often cannot access mainline credit, by providing a fixed interest rate that is lower than other financing options.

Shining Bright: Your Journey with Lighthouse Labs

To thrive in a rapidly changing environment, many immigrants chose a career in tech to increase their professional opportunities. Why? Because web development and data science qualifies newcomers for a wider variety of jobs and helps them stand out from the competition.

Arriving in Canada from Mexico City in 2015, Victor was feeling uncertainty and stress about the direction of his career and life. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, he began re-evaluating his career goals but the costs of re-training were holding him back from making a change. When Victor first heard about affordable loans through Windmill Microlending, he says it sounded too good to be true – but in this case – it was true. Victor now has what he calls a “dream job,” in cybersecurity. “When I landed this job, I felt like my life was back on track,” he says.

Victor

Cibersecurity Specialist

What makes a Windmill loan unique?

Our loans offer two years of interest-only payments and up to three years of
principal + interest payments depending on the length of your career plan.

Loans up to $15,000

Fixed low-interest rate
as low as 6.7%

Zero loan processing fees

Success coaching support and mentorship program

More than just a loan

As a Windmill client, you benefit from a range of services, including:

One-on-one coaching to support you on your career path

Career and educational resource supports

Financial planning and budgeting tools

The Windmill Mentorship Program

Exclusive access to our Community Success Hub

Our impact on our clients

Over 3x

Growth in income

Newcomers take on low-income jobs to survive. Windmill helps our clients return to their trained profession to boost their income by over 3 times.

95%

Historical repayment rate

Our affordable loans and repayment structure support clients like you. The impressive rate of repayment showcases our client's determination and the impact of their success.


75%

Decrease in unemployment

As our borrowers take their next steps, employment opportunities soar upon loan repayment, marking the start of a remarkable journey and booming economy.


Arriving in Canada from Mexico City in 2015, Victor was feeling uncertainty and stress about the direction of his career and life. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, he began re-evaluating his career goals but the costs of re-training were holding him back from making a change. When Victor first heard about affordable loans through Windmill Microlending, he says it sounded too good to be true – but in this case – it was true. Victor now has what he calls a “dream job,” in cybersecurity. “When I landed this job, I felt like my life was back on track,” he says.

Victor

Cibersecurity Specialist