Subjects: EXE, FOR, LBR
Newcomers to get help to have their foreign credentials recognized
Eligible organizations are encouraged to apply for funding
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 11, 2017 /CNW/ - Helping internationally trained newcomers join the Canadian workforce faster will help grow the economy and strengthen the middle class.
That's why today Omar Alghabra, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Consular Affairs) and Member of Parliament for Mississauga Centre (Ontario), highlighted the launch of a call for proposals for the Foreign Credential Recognition Loans Program.
The Foreign Credential Recognition Loans Program offers loans to newcomers to help cover the costs of getting their foreign credentials recognized. These costs could include expenses related to licensing exams, training and travel. The Program will also provide newcomers with information and support services such as assistance with navigating processes for credential recognition, career advice and financial literacy workshops.
The Program builds upon the success of the Foreign Credential Recognition Loans Pilot Project, which demonstrated that newcomers were able to get their foreign credentials recognized faster, allowing them to enter the job market faster.
Quotes
"Helping newcomers get their foreign credentials recognized faster will allow them to join the Canadian work force faster, which is critical to growing our economy and strengthening the middle class."
? The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
"Newcomers want to be productive members of society, but sometimes navigating the Canadian system for those who are trained abroad can be complicated. We want to offer them meaningful assistance so they can achieve their professional and personal potential."
? Omar Alghabra, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Consular Affairs) and Member of Parliament for Mississauga Centre
Quick Facts
- The Foreign Credential Recognition Loans Program is part of the Targeted Employment Strategy for Newcomers, which was announced in Budget 2017.
- The call for proposals was launched on September 29, 2017 and will close on November 24, 2017.
- Quebec organizations are not eligible to apply for funding. Discussions with the Government of Quebec are underway to develop an approach that takes into account the unique features of Quebec's newcomer support system.
- As part of the Foreign Credential Recognition Loans Pilot Project, over 1,800 micro-loans were approved, with an average loan value of $7,000 and repayment rate of 98 percent.
Associated Links
Call for Proposals
Budget 2017
Foreign Credential Recognition Program
Credential assessment in Canada
Pre-arrival services
Backgrounder
Targeted Employment Strategy for Newcomers
The Targeted Employment Strategy for Newcomers will have three components to help newcomers more quickly integrate into the labour market and more fully contribute to the Canadian economy. These are:
- improved pre-arrival supports;
- a loan program to assist newcomers with costs of getting their foreign credentials recognized; and
- assistance to acquire first Canadian work experience in their profession or in a field related to their profession.
The Strategy will also test innovative approaches to help skilled newcomers gain critical first Canadian work experience in their professions. Pilot projects will be implemented to gather evidence on the best ways to facilitate the critical first Canadian work experience for skilled newcomers. This could include testing initiatives such as paid internships, mentorships, 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.
The previous loan pilot, which ended in 2015, aimed to test models of community-based partnerships. Through this pilot, nine non-profit organizations across Canada were funded to develop and deliver a loan program for internationally trained workers.
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
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