Foreign Credentials Referral Office ARAISA Conference St. John’s – September 21, 2010 Charles Bernard

Purpose To provide an overview of the initiatives underway at the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO). Context and Mandate Products Current Projects 2

Mandate Established in 2007, 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, immigrant serving organizations, employers, regulatory bodies and other stakeholders to improve the FCR processes in Canada while respecting jurisdictions; and, o Assisting prospective immigrants to prepare for integration into the Canadian labour market. 3

Context: Stakeholders Immigrant Serving Organizations Employers and Employer’s groups Regulatory Bodies All levels of government Assessment agencies Post-Secondary Education Institutions Etc. 4

FCRO Tools : The Employer’s Roadmap A step-by-step online guide for employers in small to medium sized enterprises who are interested in hiring internationally trained workers. Provides information, tools and resources, for the successful recruitment, assessment and integration and retention of new Canadians. 5

FCRO Tools: Occupational Fact Sheets Designed to raise awareness to immigrants regarding Canadian occupational requirements to have credentials assessed and recognized in Canada. Inform immigrants of the services and initiatives that can be undertaken pre-arrival to begin the assessment and recognition process. 6

FCRO Tools: Newcomer’s Workbook A step-by-step guide for prospective immigrants and newcomers available to download and print. Provides information on living in Canada, the importance of knowing one of the official languages, settlement services, finding a job, and the credential assessment process. 7

FCRO Initiative: Website and Service Canada Centres Our website provides access to all FCRO information and tools. Information can also be obtained in person at 330 Service Canada Centres or in Canada through our dedicated phone line

FCRO Initiative: Canadian Immigrant Integration Project 2-day orientation sessions on the Canadian Labour Market offered in China, India and in the Philippines. Delivered by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges. HRSDC funded the initial pilot. CIC is funding the project from April 2010 to April $15 million. Will be funded by CIC in October Services will expand to London, England in

10 FCRO Initiative: International Qualifications Network Website Website where stakeholders(e.g. Employers, Immigrant Serving Organizations, Regulatory bodies) can post their FCR initiatives. The objective is for organizations to capitalize on the expertise of others. To be launched in December FCRO’s work supported by an advisory council.

Other Initiative: The Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications The Purpose of the framework is to ensure: “A fair and competitive labour market environment where immigrants have the opportunity to fully use their education, skills and work experience for their benefit and for Canada's collective prosperity.” Launched November 30 th, 2009 the Framework articulates a new joint vision for governments to work together to improve the integration of internationally- trained workers into the Canadian labour market. 11

Other Initiative: Federal Internship for Newcomers Program Four to eight month internships in federal departments. Opportunity to get Canadian work experience while building on individual skills and experiences. Administered through a partnership with Immigrant Serving Organizations. 12

Other Initiative: ISO Engagement FCRO is engaging with a number of Immigrant Serving Organizations to better understand their needs as they related to FCR. Discussions include the development of new tools and the creation of partnerships to increase ISO’s capacity in FCR. 13

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