International Study To Evaluate Trade Qualifications Of Skilled Tradespeople

17 Mar 2014

A new international study, which will help Irish and British people who are engaged in trade to evaluate their abilities against Canadian norms is being supported by the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) office.

Jason Kenney, Employment and Social Development Minister was in London, to witness an agreement between the United Kingdom's National Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC) and Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC).

Citizenship and Immigration Canada is supporting the Association of Canadian Community Colleges to conduct the study and UK’s National Recognition Information Centre will work as a subcontractor for the project. This project is funded by the Canadian Immigrant Integration Program that gives labor market information to newcomers, which will helps them get employment and also gauge their credentials, experience, and skills with respect to the market place.

This new study will help those with Irish and British trade qualifications to adapt to the requirements of Canada, across 9 skill areas that have high-demand jobs in Canada - Construction Electrician, Heavy Duty Equipment Technician, Carpenter, Plumber, Welder, Pipefitter /Steamfitter, Machinist, Powerline Technician, and Industrial Mechanic.

UK’s NARIC will specifically, work more in consultation with the territorial and provincial apprenticeship authorities who will develop an electronic guide, to help evaluate the alignment of Irish and British trade qualifications with the training and certification requirements of Canada. This development will help the applicants of the Federal Skilled Trades Program to clearly understand the expectations and requirements of people who engage in trade and are part of the labour market in Canada.

The Canadian government is developing an immigration system, which is based on economic growth. FSTP (Federal Skilled Trades Program) deals with severe labour shortages. Citizenship and Immigration Canada will accept 3,000 applications, at a maximum, for every year in the FSTP.

According to Jason Kenney, Employment and Social Development Minister, Canada’s top priority is to create more jobs, long-term prosperity and economic growth. And, this study will help the companies to find the skilled people, which will in turn create more business opportunities, help the new comers find jobs matching their skill level, etc.