Government of Canada helps 960 internationally trained newcomers in Hamilton and Toronto regions get their credentials and experience recognized in Canada

TORONTO, Oct. 20, 2018 /CNW/ - Helping internationally trained newcomers join the Canadian workforce faster will strengthen our middle class, help those working hard to join it, and grow our economy.

That's why today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and Member of Parliament for York South — Weston, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, announced a new project that will help about 960 internationally trained newcomers in Toronto and Hamilton regions get financial assistance and employment coaching to help them enter the Canadian workforce. Of the 140 expected to receive both loans and career counselling, half will be women, as part of an effort to increase their access to a loan for credential recognition.

The Government of Canada is investing over $1.577 million over the next eight years in the FCR Loans project. With this investment, ACCESS Community Capital Fund will increase resources for internationally trained newcomers to get their credentials recognized in Canada, and improve access to low-interest loans to support the foreign credential recognition process.

By funding this project, the Government is helping reduce barriers to employment for highly skilled newcomers and helping them find meaningful and long-term jobs in the Canadian workforce faster.

Quotes

"Helping newcomers get their foreign credentials recognized will allow them to kick-start their careers in Canada.Their success is critical to growing our economy and strengthening the middle class. Through projects like these, we are giving more newcomers a fair chance at success in the Canadian workforce."
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

"I am proud that our Government is helping to reduce barriers and support newcomers—especially a number of women--as they put their skills to work in communities across Canada. This is especially important for people trained in various fields who can help fill growing vacancies in their new country."
– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and Member of Parliament for York South — Weston

" This grant will help so many more internationally trained individuals find meaningful work. Working with Employment and Social Development Canada is a major milestone for ACCESS, and we're delighted to be starting this new partnership with them."  
– Mona ElSayeh, ACCESS Executive Director

Quick Facts

• Budget 2017 announced the the Foreign Credential Recognition Loans projects and the Canadian Work Experience pilot projects to help highly skilled newcomers get their credentials recognized and obtain Canadian work experience more quickly so they can find jobs that suit their skills and experience.
• History has shown us that when women and girls are given opportunities to succeed, Canada succeeds. Budget 2018 builds on our commitment and includes key measures aimed at reducing the gender wage gap, encouraging greater workforce participation among women and helping to combat poverty and violence.

Associated Links
Foreign Credential Recognition Program
Credential assessment in Canada
Pre-arrival services
Budget 2017
Budget 2018

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Backgrounder

• Through the Foreign Credential Recognition Program (FCRP), the Government of Canada supports the workplace integration of skilled newcomers by reducing barriers to foreign credential recognition; providing Canadian work experience; as well as loans to support the costs to having their credentials recognized.
• The program invests approximately $21 million annually to support provinces and territories, regulatory bodies and other stakeholders to help skilled newcomers get their foreign credentials recognized more quickly and better support them to restart their professional careers in Canada. The FCRP has two main activities:

A previous loan pilot, which ended in 2015, aimed to test models of community-based partnerships. Through this pilot, nine immigrant service and support agencies across Canada were funded to develop and deliver loans projects for internationally trained newcomers.

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada