Government of Canada helps 1,200 internationally trained newcomers in the Greater Toronto Area get their skills credentials recognized in Canada Français
MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 23, 2019 /CNW/ - Skilled newcomers often face unique challenges finding work in their field because of a lack of recognition of their education and training acquired abroad. To ensure a skilled, competitive and inclusive workforce, the Government of Canada is helping internationally trained newcomers find and keep good, well-paying jobs, which is part of the Government's plan to grow the economy, strengthen the middle class and ensure Canada's future competitiveness.
Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, announced a new project to help approximately 1,200 internationally trained newcomers in Mississauga and the Greater Toronto Area get their foreign credentials recognized so they can integrate into the job market faster, and contribute to Canada's growing economy. The Government of Canada is investing close to $3.8 million over 8 years in the Accelerating Career Advancement project by the Centre for Education and Training (TCET). With this investment, TCET will help new Canadians find good quality jobs in their area of expertise.
This support for internationally trained individuals, of which 50% are women, will be a primary focus to help them have their foreign credential assessment and recognition advanced, thereby increasing the rate of female participants successfully completing full recognition of credentials that were earned outside of Canada.
This investment is being made through the Foreign Credential Recognition Program (FCRP), which provides funding to provincial and territorial governments, regulatory bodies, national associations and credential assessment agencies. Governments and organizations use the funding for projects to streamline foreign credential recognition processes. The FCRP also provides loans to newcomers to help them cover expenses related to getting their skills and training recognized. It offers employment support services to help skilled newcomers get their first Canadian work experience in their profession and field of study.
Quotes
"Our success depends on everyone getting a fair chance at success—including newcomers. Helping newcomers get their foreign skills credentials recognized will allow them to pursue their profession in our workforce. Through this investment, we are making sure no untapped talent is left behind. When we give newcomers a fair chance at success in Canada, our economy and our middle class grow."
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
"The Centre for Education and Training thanks Employment and Social Development Canada for this critical investment. With these funds, many deserving internationally trained individuals are now able to have their credentials recognized to support their careers here in Canada. We are proud to work with ESDC in providing newcomers with the opportunity to enter the workforce in their chosen field."
– Merv Hillier, Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Education and Training.
Quick Facts
- The Toronto census metro area is home to over 350,000 or 36% of Canada's newcomers. (Statistics Canada, 2016).
- In 2017, over 13,975 newcomers visited the Centre for Education & Training to get information and referral centres.
- Over 1,200 internationally trained individuals will be served and have their credentials assessed and recognized through this investment. Of these:
- 300 will be issued loans over four years;
- 250 will be provided with career counselling;
- 270 will have their credentials assessed (90% of 300 internationally trained individuals);
- 240 will have their credentials recognized (80% of 300 internationally trained individuals); and
- 225 will obtain sustainable employment in their primary or related profession by program completion.
- Recent immigrants aged 15–64 have a lower employment rate (62.2%) than non-immigrants (71.7%). (Statistics Canada, Census 2016)
- Female newcomers in visible minority groups have a higher unemployment rate (14.4%) than their male counterparts (10.2%). (Statistics Canada, 2011–2016 newcomers to Canada)
- The Foreign Credential Recognition Loans Project delivers up to $15,000 to eligible recipients to cover costs of getting their credentials recognized and provides direct employment supports.
Associated Links
Centre for Education & Training (TCET)
Newcomer Success Stories
Foreign Credential Recognition Program
Approved projects
Innovation and skilled newcomer employment
Foreign Credential Recognition Loans Program
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Pre-arrival services
Getting a job in a different province or territory
Budget 2019
Backgrounder
Foreign Credential Recognition Program
The Foreign Credential Recognition Program (FCRP) improves the integration of internationally trained newcomers into the workforce. The Program provides funding to and works with the provinces and territories and other stakeholders—including non-profit organizations, regulatory bodies, post-secondary institutions, sectoral stakeholders and employers—to implement projects. There are three areas of focus under the FCRP.
- Simplify and harmonize national credential recognition processes for newcomers.
Foreign credential system modifications: Projects done in collaboration with regulatory bodies and other stakeholders that implement changes to credential recognition processes and systems and help speed up the credential process for newcomers. For example, standardized national exams, centralized information portals and alternative assessment processes. - Provide loans to offset the costs related to having foreign credentials recognized including support services, which help newcomers to navigate the recognition processes.
FCR Loans projects: Overcoming financial barriers to foreign credential recognition is important to help newcomers to Canada join the labour market. The Government of Canada allocates $7 million annually under the FCRP to provide loans and support services such as career and financial counselling to newcomers, so they can address barriers they face. Overall, 11 projects have been launched to help 8,000 skilled newcomers over 4 years. - Test the most effective and efficient ways to help highly skilled newcomers gain their first Canadian work experience in their profession and field of study.
Canadian Work Experience Pilot Project: Helps newcomers eliminate barriers due to a lack of first Canadian professional work experience and help them enter the job market faster. The Government of Canada is investing approximately $3.5 million in the Canadian Work Experience Pilot Project, helping highly skilled newcomers, of which 50% are women, over a period of 27 months.
Call for concepts – FCRP Innovation and Skilled Newcomer Employment
Employment and Social Development Canada closed a call for concepts in April 2019. Eligible stakeholders (e.g. regulatory bodies, professional associations and unions) submitted proposals. This will lead to the design and implementation of innovative employment supports for highly skilled newcomers to improve foreign credential recognition processes here in Canada.
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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