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Canada invests in credential recognition of skilled immigrants
Canada has granted more than two million Canadian dollars (about 1.99 million U.S. dollars) to develop a national assessment process for foreign-trained occupational therapists to help them find jobs in their field.
The funds,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], which have been earmarked to the Victoria-based College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], came as part of the Canadian government's ongoing efforts to recognize the qualifications of skilled immigrants.
The process includes the development of a competency evaluation tool,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], a national certification exam and a language standard for the profession.
In Canada,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych],[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], it is common to see foreign-trained professionals working for minimum wage only because their qualifications and work experience haven't been recognized in the country.
In the past couple of years,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], Canada has moved to reverse the situation.
With the introduction of the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications in late 2009 under the country's Economic Action Plan,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], the federal government is working with the individual provinces and territories to break barriers to foreign credential recognition.
The main purpose is to provide a fast track for foreign-trained professionals to the field for which they have been trained.
Last year, Canada started streamlining foreign credential recognition in eight target occupations: architects,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], registered nurses, physiotherapists,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], pharmacists, occupational therapists, medical laboratory technologists,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], auditors and accountants,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], and engineers.
This year the framework has been expanded to include teachers (kindergarten to grade 12),[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], physicians, medical radiation technicians, licensed practical nurses, engineering technicians and dentists.
Diane Finley,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], Canada's minister of human resources and skills development, who announced the grant to the college in the British Columbia capital,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], said the framework was important in addressing labor shortages,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], and in improving the "health of our communities" and "strengthening our economy."
"All this will help newcomers to put their knowledge and their skills to work sooner in communities right across this great country. We recognize the importance of helping foreign-trained professionals, especially those in health care,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], to get jobs doing what they were trained to do," she said.
Under the framework, immigrants in these key professions can now have their qualifications assessed within one year. Upon assessment, they will be advised on how their credentials compare with the Canadian standard.
The reply could be that they need additional education, or possibly be directed to alternative occupations that could benefit from their skills and experience.
Finley said the one-year service standard represented a significant step forward towards a more fair and timely system addressing foreign qualifications recognition within Canada.
She added the ruling Conservative Party was united in its goal to develop "a common approach to foreign credentials recognition" that would benefit the country.
"We're helping skilled immigrants reach their potential in Canada. And we all realize for this happen,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], newcomers need to have their education and experience recognized. That's why the government of Canada is working with the provinces and the territories to encourage partners to improve the foreign credential admission process,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]," she said.
"By improving the process of recognizing international qualifications, we're helping new Canadians demonstrate their talents here in our job market," she said.
The program also includes free training in either English or French,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], Canada's two official languages. Language proficiency is considered one of the main obstacles many immigrants need to overcome if they are to survive and thrive in Canada.
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