Government of Canada helps 1,200 internationally trained newcomers in the Greater Toronto Area get their skills credentials recognized in Canada

From: Employment and Social Development Canada

News release

May 23, 2019              Mississauga, Ontario              Employment and Social Development Canada

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.

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Contacts

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
veronique.simard@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
819-654-5611

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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