In an effort to address issues surrounding foreign credential recognition, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has proposed a plan to assess skilled workers before they arrive in Canada.
For instance, immigrants applying to come to Canada as federal skilled workers would have their education credentials verified by a third party.
If adopted, the plan would give newcomers a sense of how their credentials stack up against someone with a similar Canadian education. It's also expected any new policy would screen out those who don't have adequate levels of education.
Kenney ultimately hopes it will address the problem of immigrants arriving in Canada only to discover they can't work in their respective field.
"Our government is building an immigration system that is focused on economic growth and ensuring that all Canadians, including immigrants are able to contribute to their maximum capacity," Kenney said Wednesday. "By having their foreign education credentials assessed before their arrival to Canada, foreign skilled workers will have a better sense of how their credentials fit into the Canadian labour market and will be able to contribute their full skill set to the economy more quickly."
The pre-arrival assessment does not guarantee the applicant will find work in Canada commensurate with their skills nor does it guarantee they'd become licensed in their field.
Brunell Way. This is Brunell Way part of a large business park to the north of Colchester. The mainly service industries based here have to some degree helped alleviate the unemployment caused by the closure of Colchester’s traditional engineering employers such as the lathe company. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
OTTAWA, March 29, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Currently, immigrants represent only 13% of the total labour force in Canada's utilities industry (the electricity and renewables sector being a key component) - well below the national average of 19% of immigrants employed in all industries. This means other industries are facing similar challenges with skill shortages and are pursuing Internationally Trained Workers (ITWs) as a source of talent.
In this context, the ESC developed a resource kit to support employers to more effectively reach this valuable talent. The kit provides pragmatic resources to enable employers to become more effective at recruiting, hiring, and retaining ITWs.
"The ITW resource kit will be of huge help in terms of navigating the processes with hiring International workers. With so much growth in this industry it is important to reach out to skilled workers all over the world. This kit is a resource for both industry and workers as well and contains a collection of tried and tested ideas and resources from industry across Canada," says Lynn Meloney, Project Chair and HR Specialist at Emera Utility Services.
The ESC's 2011 Labour Market Information report, Power in Motion, revealed that there are many reasons for employers in the electricity and renewable energy industry to employ ITWs including help meet labour needs and connect employers with other workers.
Funded by the Foreign Credential Referral Office of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the material is available in hard copy, and electronically with hyperlinks to other useful resources and websites at www.brightfutures.ca/international .
SOURCE Electricity Sector Council
Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Mar 28, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Canada is proposing a major change to how foreign skilled workers' education credentials are assessed, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today.
The proposed new requirement would mean that applicants wanting to immigrate as Federal Skilled Workers would have their foreign education credentials assessed and verified by designated organizations before they arrive in Canada.
"Our Government is building an immigration system that is focused on economic growth and ensuring that all Canadians, including immigrants, are able to contribute to their maximum capacity," said Jason Kenney. "By having their foreign education credentials assessed before their arrival to Canada, foreign skilled workers will have a better sense of how their credentials fit into the Canadian labour market and will be able to contribute their full skill set to the economy more quickly. This proposal is part of a broader package of transformational changes that will make Canada's immigration policies work better for the Canadian economy."
A pre-arrival assessment would let applicants know how their education credentials compare to Canadian credentials and it will give immigrants a sense of how Canadian employers are likely to value their education. This will also screen out people without proper education levels and is an important step in helping to address the problem of immigrants arriving and not being able to work in their field.
The assessment of international educational credentials would not mean that Federal Skilled Workers would automatically find employment in Canada commensurate with their skills nor would it guarantee that they would become licensed to practice in a regulated occupation. Applicants who intend to work in a regulated profession would likely need to have their qualifications assessed in greater depth for purposes of licensure by a regulatory body specific to their profession and intended province of work.
"Internationally trained workers make an important contribution to Canada's job market and the economy," added Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. "That's why our Government is working in partnership to improve foreign credential recognition so that skilled newcomers can put their knowledge and skills to work sooner."
Minister Kenney also used the occasion to release the 2011 Government of Canada Progress Report on Foreign Credential Recognition, Strengthening Canada's Economy. The annual report, led by the Foreign Credentials Referral Office, highlights achievements made by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Health Canada to help foreign trained individuals integrate into the Canadian workforce.
Highlights of the report include:
-- expansion of the Canadian Immigration Integration Program (CIIP), which
is designed and managed by the Association of Canadian Community
Colleges. CIIP currently offers pre-arrival orientation sessions in up
to 25 countries, based on demand;
-- an innovative assessment and bridging program to help internationally
educated nurses meet regulatory requirements for licensure across
Canada; and
-- the launch of the International Qualifications Network Website for
stakeholders to share information and best practices in credential
assessment
To read the Government of Canada 2011 Progress Report on Foreign Credential Recognition, Strengthening Canada's Economy, go to: http://www.credentials.gc.ca/fcro/progress-report2011.asp
Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CitImmCanada
Photo of Minister Kenney will be available later today at: www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/photos/high-res/index.asp .
Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada's economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.
Contacts:
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Minister's Office
Ana Curic
613-954-1064
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Communications Branch
Media Relations
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario -- from College Street in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
By Randall Palmer
OTTAWA (Reuters) - The Canadian government says it is taking action to try to ensure that immigrants with foreign professional credentials are actually qualified to work in their chosen fields in Canada, with the screening to be done before they arrive.
Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced the proposed new requirement on Wednesday in a speech to regulatory bodies that are responsible for recognizing or denying foreign credentials.
The idea is to avoid situations in which, for instance, foreign doctors cannot find work after immigrating to Canada because Canadian medical bodies will not recognize their qualifications, and end up in jobs such as driving taxis.
"The overall goal here is to better select and better support potential immigrants before they come to Canada, so they can hit the ground running once they arrive by integrating quickly into our labor market," Kenney said.
Kenney said he continually hears heart-rending stories of doctors and other professionals from abroad unable to get licensed to practice in Canada.
The plan is for the government to hire designated third-party organizations to do the assessments, which will feed into the decision on whether to let the applicants immigrate.
Kenney said this would enable Canadian officials to screen out applicants without the necessary education and qualifications more effectively.
He said he hopes to have the system up and running by the end of the year.
"Not everyone from every country from every university has an equal shot at licensure at a job in a profession in Canada," he said.
"Part of the problem in the past has been our rigid and passive immigration system, which has invited people into the country, even those who frankly will never have a shot at applying their credentials into the licensed profession in Canada."
Kenney said the plan was no guarantee that the proposals would improve the chances that accrediting organizations in Canada - the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, for example - will end up accrediting the immigrants once they arrive.
The government cannot force the regulatory bodies to accredit more foreigners, and Kenney said it did not want them to lower their Canadian standards. But he did encourage the regulatory bodies to streamline their processes and open up opportunity.
BY DENISE DEVEAU, FOR POSTMEDIA NEWSMARCH 28, 2012
Vishwa Mohan and his wife Claire Xu have travelled the world throughout their careers in the hotel industry. But when it finally came time to settle in Toronto and purchase their first home, they found their permanent residency status worked against them, despite the fact they had solid work histories and money in the bank.
"I had a job before I even landed in Canada in 2010," says Mohan, a professional chef. "But when we started looking into the real estate market at the beginning of 2011, we were turned down because we were newcomers and didn't have enough background and credit history. They suggested we wait another six months, but we didn't want to do that."
There were also additional hurdles to getting approvals, including a sizable minimum down payment.
"That was the next problem," Mohan says. "They wanted a minimum of 20 per cent down, which would have been all of our savings from the last 10 years. Otherwise we would have had to pay $5,000 for mortgage insurance."
Militsa Fiuza, a mortgage agent with Invis in Toronto, says the problems the Mohans faced are typical with new immigrants.
"The biggest challenge they face is establishing credit. They have no history here. Another is the large down-payment requirements."
She says that it's getting easier, slowly but surely. "Banks used to demand up to a 35 per cent down payment. Because immigration is playing a huge role in the housing markets, the banks are starting to tailor mortgage programs to them. But there is still more required of new Canadians than someone who was born and lives here."
New Canadians are an increasingly important market for mortgage providers. The Department of Citizenship and Immigration reports that more than 280,000 immigrants came to Canada in 2010 - the highest number in 50 years. Between now and 2031, the foreign-born population of Canada is projected to increase approximately four times faster than the rest of the population.
Thomas Fischer, executive director for Habitat for Humanity in Brampton, notes that 80 per cent of families that approach them for financing are immigrants.
"One of the problems is they just don't have enough years of employment history in Canada to show a stable income. And they don't have the network they typically would have in their home country, so support is limited."
In many cases, they're in jobs that are below qualifications acquired in their home countries, he adds. "Another issue is language, especially when it comes to understanding how things work here."
Language and cultural barriers can prove extremely challenging in some mortgage application processes, Fiuza confirms.
"Brokers should sit down and explain how they need to go about the rules and regulations around getting a mortgage in Canada, including the difference between conventional and insured. A lot don't know any of this. Even if they come from the U.S., it's different."
There are a few things applicants can do to help their cause, Fiuza says. She encourages new immigrants who are first-time homebuyers to bring references from their banks back home, along with contact information (English language documentation preferred). Other important items to have in hand are a copy of your work permit, proof of landed immigrant status, passport, social insurance number, proof of employment, and a statement showing 90 days of account history in Canada.
One simple way to establish a credit rating relatively quickly is to get a secured credit card, says Parm Persaud, branch manager for Meridian Credit Union in Toronto.
"Use it regularly whatever you buy and more importantly, pay it off regularly."
He cautions people not to get too many credit cards.
"The more inquiries that need to be made, the lower your credit score and the more limited your borrowing capacity."
Another helpful hint is to show a pattern of savings.
"How you pay bills can be a key consideration," he says. "If you pay your landlord regularly, for example, and maintain a good payment history with your telephone or cable provider, that can be helpful. All of this, along with bank statements and referrals from your home country can help us make an informed decision."
In an effort to cut down on spousal sponsorship fraud, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has put into action a new requirement where any new immigrant to Canada sponsored by a spouse or partner must have permanent residency (PR) status for 5 years before they themselves can sponsor a new spouse or partner from abroad.
This new requirement is effective immediately for new immigration applications under theFamily Class category.
According to the CIC, this requirement is similar to regulations already enacted in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
Essentially, the regulation aims to make it harder for newcomers to enter into marriages of covenience with Canadians with the wrong intentions. The new immigrant might have the intention of quickly splitting up and in turn sponsoring the person's more legitimate partner, or, as in other cases, of simply sponsoring someone else for money.
To keep one's PR status, a new immigrant must spend 2 out of 5 years in Canada following the awarding of their PR. As well, when sponsoring a spouse or partner under the Family Class category, the relationship is thoroughly investigathed for legitimacy by the Canadian immigration authorities.
On 21 March 2012, the Quebec Ministry of Immigration and Cultural Communities (MICC) issued a statement outlining new policies for Permanent Residency (PR) immigration to Quebec through the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSW). These new policies took effect retroactively on 20 March 2012, and will dictate what applications Quebec will accept for the upcoming fiscal year, which stretches until 31 March 2013.
Potential applicants to the QSW program are now divided into three groups based on their “areas of training”, or fields of study, as well as additional selection criteria. The groups are determined as follows:
Group 1
Applicants fall into Group 1 if they fulfill one or more of seven criteria. An unlimited number of applications from Group 1 will be accepted for processing by Quebec Immigration. The following individuals are eligible to apply:
1. Temporary workers currently residing in Quebec
2. Students who have obtained, or are about to obtain, a diploma awarded by a Quebec institution
3. Young people in Quebec on a youth exchange program subject to an international agreement, such as the Working Holiday Program, who are working full time in Quebec
4. Applicants residing in and submitting an application to Quebec who were formerly Canadian citizens
6. Applicants, or their spouses, who hold a diploma awarded by a teaching institution in an area of training (field of study)which allows them to receive 12 or 16 points on the province’sselection grid
• The diploma must be obtained less than five years before the date of application, or the applicant must have practiced in this field on a full-time basis for at least one of five years preceding the date of application.
• Areas of training may receive different points depending on whether the degree was obtained inside or outside of Quebec.
7. Applicants with a validated offer of employment from a Quebec employer
Group 2
A maximum number of 14,300 applications will be accepted between 21 March 2012 and 31 March 2013 in this category. Applicants will be classified into Group 2 if they fall under one of the following two situations:
1. Applicants, or their spouses, who hold a diploma awarded by a teaching institution in an area of training which allows them to receive 6 points under the province’s selection grid may apply under Group 2.
• The diploma must be obtained less than five years before the date of application, or the applicant must have practiced in this field on a full-time basis for at least one of five years preceding the date of application.
• Areas of training may receive different points depending on whether the degree was obtained inside or outside of Quebec.
2. Applicants, or their spouses, who hold or are currently pursuing a Quebec diploma or the equivalent outside of Quebec. This could apply to holders of other Canadian diplomas, or individuals who hold foreign diplomas in a regulated trade or profession who have already received authorization to practice this trade in Quebec.
• As above, the diploma must be obtained less than five years before the date of application, or the applicant must have practiced in this field on a full-time basis for at least one of five years preceding the date of application.
Group 3
Potential applicants who do not fall under Groups 1 and 2 fall under Group 3. This year, no applications from Group 3 will be accepted for processing.
Processing fees for the primary applicant under the QSW will be raised on 1 April 2012 from $406 to $750.
The primary reason for enacting the above measures is so that Quebec immigration can reduce its current backlog of applications, and better serve those applicants who do get processed. In recent years, the number of applications has risen dramatically, from around 30,000 in 2008 to over 65,000 in 2011. Because of this huge increase, processing times have risen, and can now take more than 2 years for some categories of permanent residency. The Quebec government believes that taking such time to produce a decision on a subject that will so greatly affect the lives of applicants and their families must be addressed.
“I understand that Quebec is taking steps to better serve the needs of both the province and its future residents,” says Attorney David Cohen. “Given the new system, especially with regard to Group 2 applicants, I encourage those who are eligible and committed to immigrating to Quebec to submit quickly to ensure their place in the processing queue”.
The government hopes that by narrowing the selection criteria of the QSW program, the province will be able to more readily choose immigrants that will satisfy it’s economic and labour market needs. It anticipates that it will be able to stabilize the amount of applications processed in the next three years to 50,000 a year, with the hope that a greater percentage of those reviewed will be admitted to the province in a timely manner, and that that refusals will be diminished.
It is important to note that these changes have been announced specifically for the upcoming year, and may or may not persist after March 2013. Regardless, it is crucial that potential immigrants to Quebec are aware of their possible changes in eligibility, and take steps accordingly to address any changes that arise on both the regional and federal levels.
To find out if you are eligible for Quebec immigration or one of the over 60 Canadian immigration programs, please fill out our online assessment.
THIS POST WAS WRITTEN BY CHARLES KELLY ON MARCH 27, 2012 POSTED UNDER: NEWS
The Independent reports on new security checks already in place – even for flights hundreds of miles from American airspace…
One million British travellers planning to fly to Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico this year face the risk of being turned away at the airport – at the insistence of the US Department of Homeland Security.
New rules require British Airways and other airlines flying to certain airports outside America to submit passengers’ personal data to US authorities. The information is checked against a “No Fly” list containing tens of thousands of names. Even if the flight plan steers well clear of US territory, travellers whom the Americans regard as suspicious will be denied boarding.
Simon Hughes, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, told The Independent: “The concern by the US for its own security is entirely understandable, but it seems to me it’s a whole different issue that American wishes should determine the rights and choices of people travelling between two countries neither of which is the US.”
For several years, every US-bound passenger has had to provide Advance Passenger Information (API) before departure. Washington has extended the obligation to air routes that over-fly US airspace, such as Heathrow to Mexico City or Gatwick to Havana.
Now the US is demanding passengers’ full names, dates of birth and gender from airlines, at least 72 hour before departure from the UK to Canada. The initial requirement is for flights to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and the Nova Scotia capital, Halifax – 150 miles from the nearest US territory. A similar stipulation is expected soon for the main airports in western Canada, Vancouver and Calgary.
Any passenger who refuses to comply will be denied boarding. Those who do supply details may find their trip could be abruptly cancelled by the Department of Homeland Security, which says it will “ake boarding pass determinations up until the time a flight leaves the gate … If a passenger successfully obtains a boarding pass, his/her name is not on the No Fly list.” In other words, travellers cannot find out whether they will be accepted on board until they reach the airport.
Canadian Affair, the leading charter operator between Britain and Canada, began supplying the data a week ago and 13,500 of its clients have complied with the demands. None has so far refused to provide the information and no one has been refused boarding.
Air Canada and British said they would comply with any new rules and The Independent understands that they will join the scheme in April. Flights to Mexico and Cuba – the Caribbean island closest to the US – are also included.
The US will have full details of all British visitors to Cuba, including business travellers, which could potentially be used to identify people suspected of breaking America’s draconian sanctions against the Castro regime.
Neil Taylor, a tour operator who pioneered tourism to Cuba, said: “Imagine if the Chinese were to ask for such data on all passengers to Taiwan, and similarly if the Saudis were to ask about flights to Israel – would the US government understand?
“One also has to wonder how an American traveller in Europe would react if he were denied boarding on a flight from London to Rome because the German government had not received sufficient data from him.”
Tony Wheeler, founder of Lonely Planet travel guides, said “This extension of the rule to include flights that never enter US airspace is scarcely credible. What on earth right does the US have to ask for passenger information if you’re flying London-Havana?”
NOW BOARDING: WHO IS AFFECTED?
725,000: Number of British visitors to Canada each year. Airports affected: Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax
300,000: Number of British visitors to Mexico each year. Airports affected: Mexico City and Cancun
160,000: Number of British visitors to Cuba each year. Airports affected: Havana, Varadero and Holguin.
I have recently been granted the permanent resident status further to securing immigration under the skilled worker category in Canada.
I am a corporate finance professional of Southeast Asian descent and have been working at a large sovereign wealth fund in the Middle East for the last five years analyzing, executing and managing multi-billion-dollar joint venture investments and also managing a portfolio of 5 Star U.K.-based hotels. I studied in London, where I completed my ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), through which I was also able to get membership of CGA Canada (under the mutual recognition agreement). Lately, I have been studying for the CFA (chartered financial analyst) program and completed CFA level 1.
This year while visiting Toronto for 20 days, I was able to meet three recruiters (very respected names in the financial services recruitment sector) and received a good response. They appreciated the overall profile, particularly my communication and interpersonal skills which they said remains a lacking skill amongst other immigrants. But all emphasized the importance of being in Canada to be able to attend interviews with prospective employers that sometimes ranges from three to four sittings over a period of two to three months.
I want to confirm if my understanding from these meetings and other discussions that I had with professionals working in the financial sectors are right or not.
Lastly, a lot of people mentioned to me that February is by far the best month to start a job hunt since people resign after bonus payments and banks or firms implement their hiring plans for the new year thereon. They also said that six months is a reasonable time to measure one’s ability to secure the right job.
I would appreciate your advice on the above and a brief view of how you see the job market in the financial services sector to perform in the year 2012.
The answer
It’s great to see that you’ve done your homework, and that you are doing all the right things to set yourself up for a new life and career in Canada. It sounds like the recruiters with whom you’ve met have given you sound advice.
It will be easier for you to secure a job when you are physically in Canada. A local address gives prospective employers the impression that you are accessible and available to them when they need you.
There are a few different schools of thought in terms of the best time to look for a job. Keep in mind that in “peak” hiring seasons, more candidates may be looking for work, in which case you may have increased competition. Year after year I see many candidates who are hired over the summer and Christmas holiday seasons – a time when people typically think the job market slows down.
Given your goal of settling in Canada, there are a few things you can do to help your job search, both while you are in the Middle East, and when you arrive here:
Continue working on your chartered financial analyst program and gain a thorough understanding of the Canadian financial and business landscape. In your interviews, you must demonstrate that you understand, are knowledgeable and are comfortable with the local laws and business dynamics, to show you can “hit the ground running.” Follow Canadian media, read, watch and listen to news segments (in the online world, all of these sources can be accessible to you from outside Canada). Monitor trade publications, so you can build your knowledge of the local landscape
Last but not least, consider seeking out virtual mentors by researching and reaching out to Canadian market leaders, and immigrants who have succeeded in the path you are about to follow. They may be able to offer unique insights through their personal experiences.
