$1 MILLION TO IMPROVE CREDENTIAL RECOGNITION PROGRAMS

VANCOUVER – Economic Development Minister Colin Hansen announced today $1 million in funding to further improve international credential recognition programs in British Columbia.

This initiative is part of a $3.1 million contribution from the Government of Canada’s Foreign Credential Recognition Program. The funding supports innovative projects that facilitate the assessment and recognition of qualifications acquired in other countries.

“B.C. is aggressively courting skilled immigrants from overseas and across Canada in order to fill many of the one million job openings available over the next decade,” Hansen said. “In inviting them here, we have the responsibility to ensure they are able to use their skills, knowledge and experience in their chosen field.”

The funding is directed at B.C. regulators of occupations and trades and will allow them to design new or enhance existing foreign and inter-provincial credential assessment and licensing practices. In support of the B.C.-Alberta Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA), new funding proposals can include partnerships with Alberta regulators and post-secondary institutions in both provinces.

“The Government of Canada is taking steps to create the best‑educated, most-skilled and most flexible work force in the world,” said Mr. James Moore, Member of Parliament for Port Moody, Westwood and Port Coquitlam. “This funding demonstrates our commitment to work with our key stakeholders to help immigrants prepare for integration into the Canadian labour market, improve newcomers’ transition to the Canadian workforce once in Canada, and strengthen the Canadian labour market.”

In order to meet labour-force shortages, the province’s WorkBC action plan identified improvements to the foreign credential assessment system as a priority. This year’s funding builds on $500,000 invested last year for 17 regulator-led projects.

Examples of some of those projects include:

· Development and enhancement of web-based application and information programs - Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of B.C. – $50,000

· Development of an online registration system – College of Applied Biology - $15,655

· Website redesign to include country-specific information for international applicants and establishment of a secure file transfer system – B.C. College of Teachers - $31,555

· Design of tools to compare foreign social work programs, content and practical experience to B.C. standards – Social Workers of B.C. - $9,510

Applications for funding proposals are available at www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca

Funding for provincial Foreign Credential Recognition programs is provided by Human Resources and Social Development Canada.

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Media contact:	Rena Kendall-Craden Communications Director 250 952-0152

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