Edmonton, Alberta, November 14, 2013—The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism, today announced $4 million in funding for credential recognition projects that are designed to attract, retain and help Canadian and internationally-trained nurses get jobs in their field faster—anywhere in Canada.
“Our government’s top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. That is why we are taking action to help internationally trained nurses find jobs in their field quickly,” said Minister Kenney. “These projects will speed up credential recognition for trained nurses, allowing them to put their knowledge and skills to work sooner in communities across Canada.”
The National Nursing Assessment Service, the Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators and the Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada are each receiving funding for their respective projects to expedite assessment and licensing processes. In some cases, it will allow internationally educated nurses to begin the assessment process before arriving in Canada.
“In addition to helping internationally trained nurses put their skills to use faster, these projects will improve labour mobility within Canada and make it easier for Canadian nurses to work in any province,” added Minister Kenney.
Since 2009, internationally trained individuals in 14 occupations, including nurses and other healthcare providers, can have their qualifications assessed within one year, anywhere in Canada, so they can put their knowledge and skills to work sooner.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan invested $50 million to streamline foreign credential and experience recognition for key occupations.
For more information, visit the credential recognition webpage.
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Alexandra Fortier
Office of the Minister
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Employment and Social Development Canada
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The following organizations are receiving funding through the Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) program:
- over $3.4 million to the National Nursing Assessment Service to provide a consistent assessment service for internationally educated nurses seeking registration in Canada;
- approximately $150,000 to the Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators to conduct a practice analysis to improve interprovincial labour mobility of Canadian and internationally educated nurse practitioners; and
- over $450,000 to the Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada for its project to support the assessment and interprovincial mobility of Canadian and internationally educated registered psychiatric nurses.
The FCR improves the integration of internationally trained workers into the workforce. The program works with and provides funding to provinces, 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.
Established in 2007 by the Government of Canada, the Foreign Credentials Referral Office provides information and referral services, both in Canada and overseas, to help internationally trained workers have their credentials assessed quickly.
Also, in 2005 the Government of Canada launched the Internationally Educated Health Professionals Initiative. Working with provinces, territories and stakeholders, this initiative enables more internationally educated health professionals to put their skills to work in Canada's health system.
In February 2012, the Government introduced the Foreign Credential Recognition Loans Pilot Project. Delivered in cooperation with community organizations, this pilot is helping internationally trained professionals cover the costs of having their credentials recognized, so they can find jobs that best suit their skills and experience.
