WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - July 16, 2010) - The governments of Canada and Manitoba are cooperating to help internationally trained professionals participate in the provincial labour market. The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Democratic Reform), made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, along with the Honourable Diane McGifford, Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy for Manitoba.

The federal government will provide the Manitoba Department of Advanced Education and Literacy with over $1.2 million in funding for its project entitled Partnerships for Labour Market-Driven Bridge Programs in Manitoba's Post-Secondary Institutions. 

"The Government of Canada is working to help foreign-trained professionals enter the workforce and keep Canada's labour market strong," said Minister of State Fletcher. "Our government is acting to ensure that newcomers succeed, by strengthening the economy and improving the quality of life of all Canadians."

Through this project's innovative partnerships, the Manitoba Department of Advanced Education and Literacy, the Manitoba Department of Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade, the Manitoba Department of Labour and Immigration, and the Alliance of Manitoba Sector Councils will work with post-secondary institutions to pilot bridge-to-work programs that will help internationally educated newcomers gain access to the education, training and work experience they need to prepare for licensing exams and find jobs appropriate to their previous training and education.

"The Manitoba government has worked successfully with post-secondary institutions and professional associations in the past to identify and address barriers preventing internationally educated workers from finding employment in their areas of expertise," said Minister McGifford. "This initiative responds to the educational and credential needs of newcomers, as well as their need for orientation to the Canadian workplace. It not only encourages the efficient and effective movement of highly skilled immigrants into employment in high demand sectors of the economy, but also enhances our institutions' capacity to deliver additional bridge programming in the future."

The Government of Canada, through its Economic Action Plan, is investing $50 million to work with the provinces and territories and other partners, such as employers, to address barriers to foreign credential recognition in Canada. This investment directly contributed to the development of the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications, which was announced last November.

To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

BACKGROUNDER

To help internationally trained workers find jobs in their career of choice, Canada's Economic Action Plan is investing $50 million over two years to make the process of assessing and recognizing foreign qualifications more efficient.

With this $50-million investment, the Government will work with the provinces and territories to:

• develop the principles that will guide the process of foreign credential recognition;
• develop standards for the timely handling of requests;
• identify key occupations that will be the priority for developing recognition standards; and
• help people who want to come to Canada understand what they need to know before they arrive.

The objective of the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications is to articulate a new joint national vision, guiding principles and desired outcomes for improving the assessment and recognition of newcomers' qualifications.

The Partnerships for Labour Market-Driven Bridge Programs in Manitoba's Post-Secondary Institutions project aims to develop and implement labour market-focused bridge programming that builds capacity in the province's post-secondary institutions. The pilot programs supported by this initiative will encourage the efficient and effective movement of skilled immigrants into employment in high demand sectors of the economy. The following pilot programs are supported by the initiative:

Asper Bridge to Professional Accounting Program

This program assists immigrants with a professional accounting background in achieving Chartered Accountant, Certified General Accountant and Certified Management Accountant designations. The accounting regulators will be involved in assessing participants' credential gaps and are participating in program planning to meet regulators' licensing requirements. Required courses will be delivered through the Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba. Participants will be offered additional coaching, seminars, and a special course designed to present key elements of accounting practice in Canada. Co-operative work placements will follow academic instruction.

Bridge Program for Internationally Educated IT Professionals

This program involves a partnership with Manitoba's IT sector council, the Information and Communications Technology Association of Manitoba. Through this program, the University of Winnipeg provides supplementary foreign credential recognition services; a course entitled English for IT Professionals; courses to fulfill individual gap training needs; and orientation to professional practice in Canada. 

Financial Services Bridging Program

The financial services sector in Western Manitoba serves a full range of needs of this agri-business hub. In cooperation with major employers, including national banks and regional credit unions, Assiniboine Community College has developed this pilot program to address a need in the region for mid- to senior-level staff. The program includes preparation for the Canadian Securities licensing examination as well as a course called English for Financial Services, orientation to Canadian (and rural Canadian) culture, and gap training related to legislation and professional practice in Canada. The courses in the College's regular financial services program have been modified to allow participants to select the components they need.

Trades-Related Initiative

Apprenticeship Manitoba, Red River College, Assiniboine Community College, and the University College of the North are partnering to develop a pilot trades bridge program to deliver gap training in the construction and industrial electrician trades.