In Ontario, Skilled Immigrants Are Getting Trained To Get Better Jobs

30 Sep 2010

Canada is on a spree to help immigrants to settle in Canada. Now, Ontario government is investing $3.6 million in three Ontario cities to support system designed to train new skilled immigrants to find employment in their professions and areas of expertise that  match their education, qualifications and experience. This investment will have a significant impact as close to half of all newcomers to Canada choose to settle in Ontario. 

This type of training is referred to as ‘bridge training’ which is helping find good jobs and further good for the economy. Immigrants trained in foreign countries will learn to adapt their experience, education, and skills to the job market in Ontario without duplicating much, if any, of their previous training. Immigrant professionals from fields of civil engineering, nursing, dieticians, midwifery, social work and skilled construction trades can take part in this program. More than 60% of adult newcomers to Ontario have post-secondary education or training.

This year, the programs will benefit about 700 newcomers in Ottawa, and close to 600 newcomers in Toronto and London, Ontario. Also, the Ottawa Job Match Network, which matches foreign-trained workers with appropriate employers, will receive funding from the provincial government to expand its program.

Since 2003, Ontario has helped about 40,000 skilled newcomers in more than 100 different professions get licensed and find jobs in their field through bridge training programs.