Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism.
The Canadian Government will provide more than $3.3-million in funding to the Government of British Columbia to improve foreign credential recognition in order that internationally trained professionals can get jobs faster in their fields.
The funding will help to remove barriers to foreign credential recognition, providing support for more than 30 projects that help skilled newcomers in B.C. find jobs in their fields faster.
Over the next decade, approximately one-million job openings are expected in British Columbia, with newcomers anticipated to fill about one-third of those new jobs by 2020.
The federal government, in partnership with the provinces and territories, will improve foreign credential recognition for 10 new priority occupations, including those in the skilled trades and healthcare.
The new priority occupations are: geoscientists, carpenters, electricians, heavy duty equipment technicians, heavy equipment operators, welders, audiologists and speech language pathologists, midwives, psychologists, and lawyers.
New Canadians in those fields will have their credentials assessed within a one year period.
“Our government’s top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity,” said Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism. “[The new] funding will help new Canadians realize their dream of finding well-paying jobs and providing for their families, while also helping fill shortages in in-demand jobs in the Canadian economy. Our Government will continue to work to streamline the recognition of foreign credentials and help new Canadians find jobs in their fields faster.”
