The Foreign Credentials Referral Office Key Priorities – 2010/11 and Beyond. Canadian Technology Immigration Network– June 9, 2010

2 Purpose To provide an update on the Foreign Credentials Referral Office’s (FCRO’s) recent accomplishments and key priorities for and beyond to support the Government of Canada’s commitments to improving foreign credential recognition (FCR) processes and the integration of immigrants into the labour market.

3 The GoC has 3 main initiatives to strengthen FCR processes across Canada Client focused Systemic change Foreign Credentials Referral Office CIC Provides: Information Path finding Referral services to internationally trained individuals in Canada via Service Canada and overseas. Foreign Credentials Referral Office CIC Provides: Information Path finding Referral services to internationally trained individuals in Canada via Service Canada and overseas. Foreign Credential Recognition Program HRSDC Supports initiatives that will improve assessment and recognition processes for employment in Canada. Internationally Educated Health Professionals Initiative Health Canada Supports programs that promote a consistent integration of international health professionals into the Labour Market. Internationally Educated Health Professionals Initiative Health Canada Supports programs that promote a consistent integration of international health professionals into the Labour Market.

FCRO Accomplishments Further developed the FCRO Overseas Strategy o Recently signed a Contribution Agreement with ACCC to offer overseas orientation sessions Continued to work with federal and provincial partners on the development and implementation of the FQR Framework – FCRO focus on pre-arrival services Developed key information products and tools to support the FCR needs of immigrants, employers and other stakeholders o Occupational Fact sheets and 2 nd Progress Report Continued to build employers’ awareness: Employers' Roadmap, Top 100 Employers Conference and FCR 101 for employers Engaged stakeholders on the development and branding of the Pan- Canadian Information Centre web site Launched a marketing campaign to increase numbers of individuals accessing FCRO information, path-finding and referral services. Enhanced FCRO Web site and online tools

5 On-Line FCRO web site In Canada (in person and by telephone) 330 Service Canada Centers 216 outreach sites Client Offerings FCRO services focus on immigrants in Canada and overseas Over 1.2M visits Over 72,000 clients (in person) and 8,000 calls Over 72,000 clients (in person) and 8,000 calls Overseas All FSWs receive letters with FCRO information from CIC Building on HRSDC’s CIIP pilot, the FCRO will launch its overseas offerings in October HRSDC CIIP Managed by ACCC In-person orientation sessions to selected Federal Skilled Workers India, Philippines and China Will cover 70% of all FSW applicants Over 6,000 clients served Transition

6 Recommendations from Recent Reports Recognizing Success: A Report on Improving Foreign Credential Recognition (Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, November 2009) o Recommends that the Government of Canada offer pre-departure foreign credential recognition services to all immigrant classes at the priority locations of China, India, the Philippines and the United Kingdom. o Recommends that the Government of Canada implement workplace experience programs such as the Young Newcomers Internship Program and the Immigrant Internship Pilot Program in all federal departments and that the targets for these two programs be expanded. Clearing the Path: Recommendations for Action in Ontario’s Professional Licensing System (Office of the Ontario Fairness Commissioner, March 2010) o Recommends that the Federal government ensure that professionals who apply to immigrate to Canada are informed that there is a provincial licensing process. o Recommends that the Federal government give immigrant professionals a realistic, clear and up-to-date information about licensing requirements in destination province(s) before they arrive in Canada.

7 The FCRO is well positioned to fill in the gaps The FCRO is mandated to actively guide, monitor and facilitate the implementation of FCR processes in Canada by: o Providing information, path-finding and referral services to internationally trained individuals in Canada and overseas; o Working closely with federal partners, provinces and territories, employers, regulatory bodies and other stakeholders to improve FCR processes in Canada, while respecting jurisdictions; and, o Assisting prospective immigrants and newcomers to prepare for integration into the Canadian labour market. The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (3.1.j) includes: “to work in cooperation with the provinces to secure better recognition of the foreign credentials of permanent residents and their more rapid integration into society.” The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (3.1.j) includes: “to work in cooperation with the provinces to secure better recognition of the foreign credentials of permanent residents and their more rapid integration into society.”

FCRO Priorities Continue to advance and further develop the initiatives that began in ; and Expand the Young Newcomers Internship Program to other federal departments.

9 Improve information, path-finding and referral services Implementation of FCRO’s overseas strategy: o Work closely with the Association of Canadian Community Colleges to implement the CIIP agreement with continued services in India, China and the Philippines and expand to a fourth location in London, UK. o Intradepartmental collaboration on a broader overseas strategy for all immigrant categories. Implementation of FCRO’s Domestic strategy: o Work with Service Canada to better ensure that the needs of immigrants are met. o Continue work underway to improve FCRO web tools and information.

10 Supporting the FQR Framework The FCRO is committed to working with HRSDC, provinces, territories and other stakeholders to ensure that the Framework is implemented and its outcomes are achieved. In support of the FQR Framework, the FCRO is expanding and strengthening its pre-arrival and overseas services, with an emphasis on target occupations.

11 Employers, Regulatory Bodies and Immigrant Serving Organizations Employers o Develop tailored regional and sectoral employer roadmaps. o Reach out to employers to develop relevant tools and products, and to raise awareness. Regulatory Bodies and Sector Councils o Develop additional occupational fact sheets and other online and overseas interventions. Engagement of Immigrant Serving Organizations (ISOs) o Pre-arrival support to prospective immigrants. Support the development of partnerships between employers and ISOs

12 Pan-Canadian Information Centre Web site Develop a Web site that will share innovative foreign credential recognition practices o This Web site will provide employers, regulatory bodies, governments, immigrant serving organizations and academia the opportunity to share their foreign credential recognition practices with each other. o The FCRO held a workshop in Ottawa last June followed with consultations across Canada in November. Focus testing of the Web site and related branding with stakeholders to solicit their feedback and input. o Stakeholders have indicated strong support for the website. The Web site will be launched in December 2010.

13 The Young Newcomers Internship Program (YNIP) The YNIP is an innovative program which offers newcomers an opportunity to gain Canadian work experience within the public service. Minister Kenney announced the expansion of the Young Newcomer Internship Program on April 27, 2010 at the YNIP graduation. Expansion of the YNIP in will include: o Introduction of new targets and streams based on needs analysis; o Expansion to other federal departments and agencies and establishment of working group, comprised of HRSDC and other interested departments, agencies and partners; and, o Establishment of a partnership with Hire Immigrant Ottawa /LASI to complete pre-screening, deliver cross-cultural training, and mentoring.