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November 23, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
05-83
OTTAWA, ONTARIO - Belinda Stronach, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister responsible for Democratic Renewal, today announced over $4 million in funding, through Human Resources and Skills Development Canada's Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) Program, for two projects being carried out by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC).
The Canadian Immigration Integration Project will receive $3,980,499 to pilot test a framework for the delivery of a continuum of programs and services for immigrants, starting in their country of origin and continuing after they arrive in Canada. The project seeks to reduce barriers faced by immigrants wishing to enter Canada's labour market, but will also support immigrants in finding employment by facilitating recognition of their credentials.
Colleges and Institutes Supporting Immigrant Integration Into the Labour Market will receive $149,621 to support the exchange of innovative practices and enable colleges, institutes, sector councils, immigrant serving organizations and regulatory bodies to better collaborate. The project will also develop a model for the establishment of College and Institute Immigrant Integration Centres.
"These two projects underscore the importance of learning institutions, like Canada's community colleges, in our ongoing efforts to help immigrants to make full use of their skills so that they may do the work for which they are qualified," said Minister Stronach. "The integration of immigrants into Canada's labour market is not something we can do alone - we must work in partnership with stakeholders like the ACCC to improve the quality of life for immigrants which in turn will benefit the health of our cities and our overall economy."
The Government of Canada's FCR Program will improve the integration of internationally trained workers into the labour force by working with provinces, territories and key stakeholder organizations, such as professional bodies, trade associations and sector councils, to implement projects that will facilitate the assessment and recognition of qualifications acquired in other countries.
Today's announcement is linked to Canada's Workplace Skills Strategy, aimed at helping Canadians to become the best-trained, most highly skilled workers in the world, as well as ensuring that employers' needs are met.
The Government is providing $68 million over six years to implement the FCR program and to fund key activities from our partners aimed at improving FCR processes in Canada.
For details, see the backgrounder below.
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For further information (media only):
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
(819) 994-5559
Normand Bergeron
Special Advisor, Communications
Office of Minister Belinda Stronach
(819) 994-2482
BACKGROUNDER
Organization
Description of Project
Funding
Association of Canadian Community Colleges
Canadian Immigration Integration Project (CIIP) - This project will develop and test a framework, on a pilot basis, for the delivery of a continuum of programs and services for immigrants starting at their country of origin and continuing after landing in Canada. The Pilots proposed in this proposal are intended to reduce the barriers currently faced by immigrants who wish to enter the Canadian labour market and to support them in finding employment in their field of specialization by facilitating recognition of their credentials.
$3,980,499
Colleges and Institutes Supporting Immigrant Integration into the Labour Market - This project will support partnerships between colleges and institutes, sector councils, immigrant-serving agencies, credential assessment organizations and regulatory bodies to address foreign credential assessment and recognition and labour market integration; facilitate collaboration and exchange of innovative practices among colleges and institutes; develop a model for the establishment of College and Institute Immigrant Integration Centres.
$149,621
Total Projects
$4,130,120
