Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
December 22, 2017

Minister Hawkins Announces Projects to Help Newcomers Access Employment in their Fields

The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, today announced the second round of successful applicants for funding through the federal-provincial Foreign Qualification Recognition Agreement.

Foreign qualification recognition is the process of verifying that the knowledge, skills, work experience and education obtained in another country meet established Canadian standards. A partnership agreement between the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of Canada allocates $800,000 in federal funding to enhance foreign qualification recognition capacity, helping internationally-trained workers qualify for employment in their fields.

New projects focus on assisting internationally trained healthcare professionals and landscape horticultural workers, as well as newcomers with limited experience in a Canadian workplace. They are:

  • The Association for New Canadians will receive just over $142,500 to modify a workplace communication and integration training module covering professional writing, Canadian workplace culture, business communication, and continuous learning in the workplace, to an online training program.
  • The College of Physicians and Surgeons will receive $140,300 to conduct a Lean assessment of recruitment and licensing for internationally trained physicians. To oversee the project, the college will establish an advisory committee with representation from the Department of Health and Community Services and health authorities.
  • The College of Physicians and Surgeons will also receive an additional $123,050 to redevelop its website to clearly identify and communicate pathways to licensure, including a licensing status functionality, a feature commonly requested by international applicants. This will help streamline the licensing process.
  • College of the North Atlantic, in partnership with Landscape Newfoundland and Labrador and supported by Apprenticeship and Trades Certification, will receive $134,876 to develop a comprehensive online training assessment tool to identify skill gaps among foreign-trained landscape horticultural workers and develop individual training plans.

These projects help achieve a key commitment in The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador to enhance foreign qualification recognition, building on the strong partnership between the provincial and federal governments.

Quotes
“Newfoundland and Labrador benefits when internationally-trained professionals are able to get their foreign qualifications recognized in a timely manner. These projects will streamline the recognition process, making it easier for internationally-trained professionals to practice in their fields, to stay right here in Newfoundland and Labrador and fully contribute their talent and training to our social, cultural and economic development.”
Honourable Al Hawkins
Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

“Helping newcomers get their foreign credentials recognized faster will allow them to join the Canadian work force faster, which is critical to growing our economy and strengthening the middle class. Our government is pleased to work in partnership with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to help highly skilled newcomers find and keep good jobs.”
Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

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Learn More
Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism - nlimmigration.ca/ external link icon

The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador - www.aesl.gov.nl.ca/publications/pdf/ImmigrationPlan.pdf PDF icon

Provincial Government Announces Projects to Help Newcomers Secure Employment in their Fields (May 1, 2017) - gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/aesl/0501n07.aspx

Provincial Government Hosting Targeted Engagement Sessions on the Foreign Qualification Recognition Program - gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/aesl/0125n03.aspx

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Media contact
Ryan Crocker
Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
709-729-1795, 725-9595
RyanCrocker@gov.nl.ca

2017 12 22                             11:15 a.m.