Canwest News Service
When Iranian-born Fariborz Birjandian came to Canada 21 years ago with a degree in management and maritime science, he quickly realized he had transferable skills that could be applied to several occupations.
At the time, the process of foreign credential recognition was nearly non-existent compared with today and that process is now undergoing what the federal government says is another step to speed up the assessment of internationally trained immigrants.
Ottawa recently announced a plan to ensure newcomers to Canada in certain fields will know within one year whether their qualifications will be recognized by provincial and professional regulatory and accreditation bodies across Canada, working in conjunction with provincial officials to coordinate implementation of the new framework.
"We have to give these people hope to see light at the end of the tunnel," says Birjandian, who is now the executive director of the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society. "At least the federal government is trying to engage all other partners in a meaningful way. Hopefully, there will be some accountability around it."
The Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications sets an initial deadline of Dec. 31, 2010 to assess the first round of eight occupations: architects, engineers, financial auditors and accountants, medical laboratory technologists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, physiotherapists and registered nurses. It's part of Ottawa's previously announced $50-million plan to work with provincial and territorial ministers to address barriers to credential recognition.
"This framework complements initiatives such as the Action Plan for Faster Immigration, as they make our immigration system better meet the needs of our labour market," says Jason Kenney, federal minister of citizenship, immigration and multiculturalism, in a news release.
During the next phase of implementation ending December 2012, the framework will expand to include dentists, engineering technicians, licensed practical nurses, medical radiation technologists, physicians and primary school teachers.
"Ensuring that foreign credentials and qualifications are assessed … in a timely manner will enable newcomers to maximize their talents," adds Diane Finley, minister of human resources and skills development.
Birjandian hopes the plan will address the length of time it can take to immigrate to Canada, which he says is often four or five years — delays that can cause highly sought-after workers to find their skills no longer needed upon arrival.
At the start of the boom in Alberta, for example, welders were in high demand. By the time they were recruited and accredited in Canada, the recession took hold and many now find themselves working in menial jobs. Similar stories are heard from engineers.
"We think that if we deal with those [credential recognition] issues they have … we're going to solve the problem, but at the end of the day, it's employers that accept the assessment or not," says Birjandian. "If we don't address the numbers [of new immigrants], we're still going to be in the same situation where everybody will be qualified and certified in Canada, but supply and demand will tell us how many of them get jobs."
The Foreign Credentials Referral Office, established in May 2007, helps foreign-trained workers get the information and support services they need to speed up the process of credential recognition in Canada and before they arrive.
While Birjandian is encouraged by the recent announcement, he worries Canada's immigrant selection system, based on a points scale targeting specific occupations, will result in unneeded professionals as supply and demand shifts.
"It's a rapidly-changing environment we're dealing with in the business community worldwide," he says.
CCIS helps new immigrants identify transferable skills that can be applied to occupations that utilize their skills to avoid highly trained newcomers working as taxi drivers or day labourers.
The new framework is meant to improve pre-arrival services, timely assessments that are fair and eventually improved workforce participation.
Expats weigh in on ‘Destination Canada’
By Fouzia Khan
Source: Saudi Gazette
Canada is a popular immigration destination for expatriates here as it continues to provide funding to support new migrants and assist them to settle, this apparently being one of the reasons for its huge popularity.
“Canadian immigration, which is a set of rules, regulations, directives, policies and the Act of Parliament that regulates the entry of each person into Canada, has always played a central role in Canadian history,” said Colin R. Singer, an immigration lawyer at a Canada-based immigration company.
He said his firm provides the necessary employment-based search consulting assistance that applicants to Canada require.
According to another immigration company, Canada has implemented fast-tracking of visa applications for “safe” countries, and formalized the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) program, in order to make traveling easier for tourists and other travelers.
Akbar Ali, a taxi driver in Canada, says that despite major inconveniences caused to immigrants, people still prefer migrating to Canada and other western countries, in general, because their governments “take care of the citizens even after retirement and children can get a better education”.
“The hard work pays off after retirement as individual companies or the government provides high pensions, free medical care, etc.,” he said. Mirroring Ali’s views, Imran Ahmed, an accountant in Jeddah who is soon moving with his family to Canada, said a potential Canadian immigrant had to satisfy 40 different criteria, with clauses, such as, professional experience, education, relatives already living in the country, if any, etc.
“I applied through a Canadian immigration firm, which assured me that they would not charge me unless I got my visa,” said Ahmed.
The cost of living in Saudi Arabia is less than that in Canada or any European country, where there are various commodity taxes. However, when it comes to higher education, these countries score well above the Kingdom.
“I have joined an Islamic center here called Huda Institute that is excellent for Islamic Studies for Muslim girls. Quality education is not hard to find here,” said Ameena Kapoor, a 14-year-old girl living in Canada.
“I plan to join one of the best universities in Canada for my higher education, which otherwise would not have been possible in Saudi Arabia, where there are not many opportunities for higher education,” she added.
The Canadian Temporary Work Permit is one of the most popular ways for newcomers to come to Canada, earn money, and gain valuable Canadian work experience.
“Immigration policies and conditions are constantly changing, and some of these changes may affect an immigrant’s eligibility to immigrate to Canada, the UK, Australia or the US,” am immigration agency statement said.
Process of obtaining Canadian immigration:
The Canadian Immigration and Citizenship department, also known as CIC Canada, is one of the most important departments of the Canadian government. In order to obtain Canadian immigration, an applicant is required to fill in the prescribed immigration forms.
He must first apply to a well-known Canadian immigration company that will help him through the process of moving to Canada.
For example, some immigration agencies require the applicant to be registered with them, take a free Canadian Visa Eligibility Assessment according to the type and requirements of the visa, e.g., work visa, student’s visa, general immigration, business immigration, etc.
For general immigration, the individual’s evaluation is based on their education, training and work experience, which reflects their ability to economically establish themselves in Canada. –
Source: Saudi Gazette
Canada is a popular immigration destination for expatriates here as it continues to provide funding to support new migrants and assist them to settle, this apparently being one of the reasons for its huge popularity.
“Canadian immigration, which is a set of rules, regulations, directives, policies and the Act of Parliament that regulates the entry of each person into Canada, has always played a central role in Canadian history,” said Colin R. Singer, an immigration lawyer at a Canada-based immigration company.
He said his firm provides the necessary employment-based search consulting assistance that applicants to Canada require.
According to another immigration company, Canada has implemented fast-tracking of visa applications for “safe” countries, and formalized the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) program, in order to make traveling easier for tourists and other travelers.
Akbar Ali, a taxi driver in Canada, says that despite major inconveniences caused to immigrants, people still prefer migrating to Canada and other western countries, in general, because their governments “take care of the citizens even after retirement and children can get a better education”.
“The hard work pays off after retirement as individual companies or the government provides high pensions, free medical care, etc.,” he said. Mirroring Ali’s views, Imran Ahmed, an accountant in Jeddah who is soon moving with his family to Canada, said a potential Canadian immigrant had to satisfy 40 different criteria, with clauses, such as, professional experience, education, relatives already living in the country, if any, etc.
“I applied through a Canadian immigration firm, which assured me that they would not charge me unless I got my visa,” said Ahmed.
The cost of living in Saudi Arabia is less than that in Canada or any European country, where there are various commodity taxes. However, when it comes to higher education, these countries score well above the Kingdom.
“I have joined an Islamic center here called Huda Institute that is excellent for Islamic Studies for Muslim girls. Quality education is not hard to find here,” said Ameena Kapoor, a 14-year-old girl living in Canada.
“I plan to join one of the best universities in Canada for my higher education, which otherwise would not have been possible in Saudi Arabia, where there are not many opportunities for higher education,” she added.
The Canadian Temporary Work Permit is one of the most popular ways for newcomers to come to Canada, earn money, and gain valuable Canadian work experience.
“Immigration policies and conditions are constantly changing, and some of these changes may affect an immigrant’s eligibility to immigrate to Canada, the UK, Australia or the US,” am immigration agency statement said.
Process of obtaining Canadian immigration:
The Canadian Immigration and Citizenship department, also known as CIC Canada, is one of the most important departments of the Canadian government. In order to obtain Canadian immigration, an applicant is required to fill in the prescribed immigration forms.
He must first apply to a well-known Canadian immigration company that will help him through the process of moving to Canada.
For example, some immigration agencies require the applicant to be registered with them, take a free Canadian Visa Eligibility Assessment according to the type and requirements of the visa, e.g., work visa, student’s visa, general immigration, business immigration, etc.
For general immigration, the individual’s evaluation is based on their education, training and work experience, which reflects their ability to economically establish themselves in Canada. –
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Check our online courses now
Click Here now!!!!