Government of Canada helping 300 internationally trained newcomers in Welland area get their credentials and experience recognized in Canada Français
WELLAND, ON, Nov. 14, 2018 /CNW/ - Helping internationally trained newcomers join the Canadian workforce faster will strengthen our middle class, help those working hard to join it, and grow our economy.
That's why today, Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, announced a new project that will help about 300 internationally trained newcomers in the Welland area get financial assistance and employment coaching to help them enter the Canadian workforce. Of the 44 expected to receive both loans and career counselling, half will be women, as part of an effort to increase their access to a loan for credential recognition.
The Government of Canada is investing almost $700,000 over the next eight years in the Niagara Foreign Credential Recognition Loans project. With this funding, the Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural Centre will increase resources for internationally trained newcomers to get their credentials recognized in Canada, and improve access to low-interest loans to support the foreign credential process.
By funding this project, the Government is helping reduce barriers to employment and helping newcomers find meaningful and long-term jobs in the Canadian workforce faster.
Quotes
"Helping newcomers obtain assistance to have their foreign credentials recognized will allow them to join the Canadian workforce faster, which is critical to growing our economy and strengthening the middle class. Through projects like these, we are supporting newcomers to kick-start their careers in Canada."
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
"Our Government continues to help reduce barriers and support newcomers—especially a number of women--as they put their skills to work in communities across Canada. This is especially important for people trained in various fields who can help fill growing vacancies in their new country."
– Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament, Niagara Centre
"Niagara Region has many newcomers to Canada arriving with international education and experience, looking to re-enter their professions here in Canada. The Niagara Foreign Credential Recognition Project will provide support to learn the steps to re-enter their career or a close alternative, while removing any financial barriers that would keep them from being able to access their careers sooner. This project is a needed and welcome addition to ensure newcomers are able to utilize their skills for their success and the success of Niagara Region."
– Lori Webster, Program Coordinator, Niagara Foreign Credential Recognition
Quick Facts
- Budget 2017 announced the Foreign Credential Recognition Loans projects and the Canadian Work Experience pilot projects to help highly skilled newcomers get their credentials recognized and obtain Canadian work experience more quickly so they can find jobs that suit their skills and experience.
- History has shown us that when women and girls are given opportunities to succeed, Canada succeeds. Budget 2018 builds on our commitment and includes key measures aimed at reducing the gender wage gap, encouraging greater workforce participation among women and helping to combat poverty and violence.
Associated Links
Foreign Credential Recognition Program
Credential assessment in Canada
Pre-arrival services
Budget 2017
Budget 2018
Backgrounder
Foreign Credential Recognition Program
- Through the Foreign Credential Recognition Program (FCRP), the Government of Canada supports the workplace integration of skilled newcomers by reducing barriers to foreign credential recognition; providing Canadian work experience; as well as loans to support the costs to having their credentials recognized.
- The program invests approximately $21 million annually to support provinces and territories, regulatory bodies and other stakeholders to help skilled newcomers get their foreign credentials recognized more quickly and better support them to restart their professional careers in Canada. The FCRP has two main activities:
- Since 2003, the program has worked closely with its partners to improve credential recognition systems – focusing on streamlining regulatory processes and harmonization of occupational requirements.
- In 2017, the program transitioned to also offer direct employment supports to skilled newcomers, as they have shown promise in helping newcomers integrate into the Canadian labour market; including:
- Loans – The Foreign Credential Recognition Loans projects, which are based on successful pilot projects from 2012-2015, are providing newcomers in need of financial assistance with loans to cover the costs of licensing exams, training, travel and skills upgrading associated with getting foreign credentials recognized. Results of the pilot projects showed that participants were able to enter the job market, earn wages commensurate with their skills more quickly and depend less on government transfers.
- Canadian Work Experience – These pilot projects test innovative approaches to help highly skilled newcomers gain critical first Canadian work experience in their professions. They will identify the best ways to facilitate access to their first Canadian work experience for skilled newcomers. This could include testing initiatives such as paid internships, mentorships and job matching, and looking at ways to help overcome employers' reluctance to hire newcomers as a result of difficulties in assessing the value of their foreign work experience.
A previous loan pilot, which ended in 2015, aimed to test models of community-based partnerships. Through this pilot, nine immigrant service and support agencies across Canada were funded to develop and deliver loans projects for internationally trained newcomers.
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
For media enquiries, please contact: Véronique Simard, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P., Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, [email protected], 819-654-5611; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]
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