Government of Canada helps over 1 000 newcomers get their qualifications recognized and find jobs in Canada

Foreign Credential Recognition loans help internationally trained workers put their skills to work faster

VANCOUVER, Jan. 18, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism, celebrated a significant milestone for the Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) Loans Pilot Project. Over 1 000 internationally trained workers have now benefitted from loans that have helped them get their credentials recognized helping them take advantage of job opportunities here in Canada.

Minister Kenney stressed the importance of attracting and retaining the best international talent and helping internationally trained workers put their skills to work sooner in communities across Canada.

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada launched the Foreign Credential Recognition Loans Pilot Project in 2012. The project is currently delivered in partnership with nine community organizations, including S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
• Eligible newcomers and Canadians trained abroad may receive up to $15,000 in loans to help cover the costs of licensing, exams, training and skills upgrading, which can often present a significant obstacle to credential recognition.
• As a community partner in Vancouver, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. has provided over 341 loans to internationally trained workers to date.

Quotes

"Our government's top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity, and we recognize that skilled newcomers help fill shortages in key occupations and make an important contribution to Canada's economy. Through Foreign Credential Recognition loans, internationally trained workers can now get help to cover the cost of having their credentials recognized, so they can find jobs in their fields more quickly."

The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism

"This pilot project brings government, non-profit organizations and private stakeholders together to provide financial assistance to internationally trained workers. It helps newcomers follow their career paths in Canada and integrate into Canadian society".

Queenie Choo, CEO of S.U.C.C.E.S.S

Associated links

• Employment and Social Development Canada: Credential Recognition
• Applying for Foreign Credential Recognition Loans
• A Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Credentials
  
• Foreign Credentials Referral Office (Citizenship and Immigration Canada)
  

Backgrounder

Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) Loans Pilot Project

Delivered in cooperation with community organizations, this project helps internationally trained workers cover the costs of having their credentials recognized, so they can find jobs that best suit their skills and experience.

By working with enterprising social innovators, the Government of Canada is supporting new approaches to addressing social and labour market issues that impact Canadians and our economic prosperity.

FCR loans partners across Canada:

• S.U.C.C.E.S.S. in British Columbia;
  
• Immigrant Access Fund, in Alberta and Saskatchewan;
  
• SEED Winnipeg Inc., in Manitoba;
  
• WIL Employment Connections, in Ontario;
  
• Association communautaire d'emprunt de Montréal (ACEM), in Québec;
  
• New Brunswick Multicultural Council Inc.;
  
• Canada Microcredit Educators Group, in Prince Edward Island; and
  
• Immigrant Settlement and Integration Services, in Nova Scotia.

Improving foreign credential recognition

Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada works with the provinces and territories and other stakeholders to improve foreign credential recognition. This partnership led to the development of a national framework that is streamlining foreign credential recognition for priority occupations, including architects, nurses and engineers.

Under the framework, internationally trained workers who submit an application to be licensed or registered to work in certain fields, along with all fees and relevant documents, will be advised within one year how their credentials compare to Canadian standards. They may also be advised of additional requirements or be directed to alternative occupations that would benefit from their skills and experience. Service standards have been established so that internationally trained professionals in 14 priority occupations, many in healthcare, can have their credentials assessed within one year, anywhere in Canada.

Economic Action Plan 2013 reinforced the Government of Canada's commitment to further improve foreign credential recognition and continue to work in partnership with the provinces and territories to identify the next set of target occupations.

For more information, please consult http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/jobs/credential_recognition/docs/pcf.pdf

Government of Canada Foreign Credential Recognition programs and services

The Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) Program aims to improve the integration of internationally trained workers into the workforce. The Program provides funding to and works with the provinces and territories and other stakeholders—including regulatory bodies, post-secondary institutions, sector councils and employers—to implement projects that facilitate the assessment and recognition of qualifications acquired in other countries.

The Foreign Credential Recognition Loans Pilot Project, delivered in cooperation with community organizations, helps internationally trained workers cover the costs of having their credentials recognized, so they can find jobs that best suit their skills and experience.

The Foreign Credentials Referral Office provides information and path-finding and referral services, both in Canada and overseas, to help internationally trained workers have their credentials assessed quickly so they can find work faster in the fields in which they have been trained.

The Internationally Educated Health Professionals Initiative works with provinces, territories and stakeholders to enable more internationally educated health professionals to put their skills to work in Canada's health system.

SOURCE: Employment and Social Development Canada

Alexandra Fortier
Office of the Minister
819-994-2482

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
[email protected]

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