How to get your foreign

credentials recognized in

Canada

Settlement Workshop

CLB 5+

Agenda:In this workshop, you will

• learn how to get started with your credential recognition process;

• learn about the governmental support: Foreign Credential Recognition Program; and

• learn some strategies to succeed in re-entering your profession in Canada.

Introduction

• What is your name?

• Which country are you from?

• What made you join this workshop? What are

you hoping to learn from it?

Speech Bubbles Photo: https://openclipart.org

Vocabulary

professions

degree

credentials

recognize

certify

assessment

regulatory body /

regulator

traderegulated

Will my credentials from outside

of Canada be recognised?

Degree, Graduation Hat, and Working Man Photos are from: https://openclipart.org

Who needs to get their

credentials assessed? • You need to get your credentials

(education, work experience and professional license from your country) assessed, if you are …

1. immigrating under the Federal Skilled Worker program.

2. coming to Canada to work in regulated professions or trades

3. coming to study

Source: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/credentials/

Why is it important to get your

credentials assessed?

• Credential assessment will help you:

see whether your credentials are equal to the standards set for Canadian workers

find out whether you need more training, education or Canadian work experience

understand the types of jobs for which you might be qualified

help employers understand your qualifications

The information is cited from http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/credentials/.

1

2

3

4

How do newcomers determine the

course of their professional journey?

• Questions you want to ask yourself:“What jobs in Canada do I qualify for with my credentials from my country at this moment?”

“What jobs in Canada will I qualify for in the future? What do I need to do now? How long will

it take to get the jobs?”

“Are there any related jobs that I can use my skills and experience from my country for?”

“Do I have enough information to make the right decision for myself?”

Journeys to Recognition:

Violeta Velickovska’s Case

Go to http://www.manitobafairnesscommissioner.ca

/journeys-to-recognition/violet-velickovska/

Challenges in Process of

Recognition:

Discussion 1:

Q: What are the challenges that Violeta

faced in the process of her credential

recognition?

Useful Tips:

Discussion 2:

Q: What could Violeta have done to

speed up her credential recognition

process?

Useful Tips:

• Start the credential assessment and

recognition process as soon as possible,

even before you arrive in Canada.

• Do a lot of research beforehand.

• Be aware that it takes time and costs

money.

Speech Bubble Clipart is from : https://openclipart.org

Steps to Get Your Credentials

Assessed

2. Find out if the jobs are regulated or not.

3. Contact the regulatory body of your profession or trade.

4. Collect the necessary documents and information.

3. Find out if you need further training or education.

4. Apply for an academic credential assessment if your

foreign degree needs to be assessed.

1. Evaluate your professional background both in your home

country and in Canada, and find the types of jobs for which

you might qualify.

5. Applying for licensing.

Regulated

Non-regulated

Search Clipart is from : https://openclipart.org

Regulated or Non-Regulated?

1. Go to Job Bank: http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/.

2. Choose Explore Careers by Occupation.

3. Type in the occupation you want the information

for, and the city where you wish to work.

Regulated or Non-Regulated?

4. Choose Education & Job Requirements. Be

sure to choose the tab “Manitoba”.

4. Check if it is regulated or non-regulated.

How to Find the Regulatory Body

The information is cited from http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/.

How to Find the Regulatory Body

for Your Profession (continued)

If you wish to work in a regulated

profession, start at

http://www.manitobafairnesscommissio

ner.ca/faq/general/#7

The Licensing Process for

Professions

1. Contact the regulatory body of your profession.

2. Collect the necessary information and documents.

3. Apply for the license.

4. Get your assessment result from the regulatory body.

Regulators might ask you …

• Provide proof of your previous education

• Provide your original degrees, diplomas and

certificates, including translated, notarized

copies

• Provide proof of your English language

proficiency

• Provide information about your previous work

experience

• Take one or more upgrading courses

The information above is cited from http://www.manitobafairnesscommissioner.ca/for-internationally-educated-professionals/.

Regulators might ask you …

• Write exams. Many exams are offered in

English only. Some exams must be written in

another province

• Complete an assignment

• Get Canadian work experience

• Work under supervision throughout the

licensing process

The information above is cited from http://www.manitobafairnesscommissioner.ca/for-internationally-educated-professionals/.

Governmental Support:

• Foreign Credential Recognition

Program – The Federal Government

Initiative:

http://www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/jobs/crede

ntial_recognition/foreign/index.shtml

What is the Foreign Credential

Recognition Program (FCRP)?

1. Funding for Organizations

– Funding is provided to projects or

activities that ensure and promote fair

FCR process.

2. Financial Assistance for Individuals

– Loan is provided to internationally trained

individuals to reduce their financial

burden in the FCR process.

http://www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/jobs/credential_recognition/index.shtml

Target Occupations

• Architects

• Engineers

• Financial Auditors and Accountants

• Medical Laboratory Technologists

• Occupational Therapists

• Pharmacists

• Physiotherapists

• Registered Nurses

• Dentists

• Engineering Technicians

• Licensed Practical Nurses

• Medical Radiation Technologists

• Physicians

• Teachers (K-12)

Occupation Clipart is from: https://openclipart.org

View a Success Story:

“How did FCRP help Dr. Bin to achieve

his dream job in Canada?”To view the video, go to

http://www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/jobs/credential_recognition/stories/

index.shtml

http://www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/jobs/credential_recognition/stories/index.shtml

Transcript

Everybody has a reason to come to Canada.

I compared many other countries and cities and finally I chose here.

There is a program for us, the foreign-trained professionals.

The program, actually, is a kind of bridge that’s connecting us, the foreign trained professionals, into the right now, the position.

Before I came to Canada, I was there.

After I came here, I dropped down to do whatever I have to do to survive, not striving.

Surviving as a kitchen help, I worked in the Richmond Night Market, I worked in the dental laboratory as a technician polishing the denture(s).

But with this help, from this program, from this loan, I got some information, I got some financial support.

See, I’m now working, as a professional, as a dentist.

So this program definitely changed my life. I’m happy.

http://www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/jobs/credential_recognition/video/dr-bin-xie.shtml

Interested in Financial Support

from FCRP?

• Go to the SEED website below and find

more information about how you can apply

for micro loan. http://seedwinnipeg.ca/programs/detail/recognition-counts

For the Further Information

• Government of Canada – Prepare for life in Canada

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/before-move.asp

• The Government of Manitoba – Immigration and Economic Opportunities

http://www.immigratemanitoba.com/opportunities-for-immigrants-in-manitoba-mpnp/mpnp-employment-jobs-work/professions/

• Job Bank - Explore Careers by Occupation

http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/occupation_search-eng.do?&source=mb-immg

• Office of the Manitoba Fairness Commissioner

http://www.manitobafairnesscommissioner.ca/

• Supporting Employment & Economic Development (SEED)

http://seedwinnipeg.ca/programs/detail/recognition-counts

Any questions?

Question Mark Clipart is from: https://openclipart.org

Post-Workshop Activity 1

Online Research

Choose the occupation that you are interested in and

do the research about the job on the Job Bank

website. http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/

Find the following information:

1. Is the job regulated or non-regulated?

2. If your job is regulated, what’s the regulatory body?

3. What’s the contact information (address, phone number

and URL) of the regulator?

When you are ready, go to the forum and share what

you’ve found out!

Post-Workshop Activity 2

Discuss on the Forum!

What are the challenges for newcomers who want to work as internationally trained

professionals or tradespeople? How did Alok overcome the challenges?

What would you do if you were him?

Take a look at Alok Anand’s Case:http://www.manitobafairnesscommissioner.ca/journe

ys-to-recognition/alok-anand/

Thank you for joining us today!

See you online!