OCASI Training for Employment Support Services Funded by the Government of Ontario

Background The Access Centre for Regulated Employment is the first provincially-funded access centre of its kind outside of the Greater Toronto Area. The Access Centre for Regulated Employment provides accurate licensure information and application assistance to newcomers seeking careers in Ontario’s regulated professions. The project is funded by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration and is a partnership of 3 local not-for-profit organizations: WIL Employment Connections (managing partner) London Cross Cultural Learners Centre L' Association Canadienne-Francaise de l' Ontario (ACFO), London-Sarnia.

Regulated Professions Architect Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathologist Certified Engineering Technician and Technologist Certified General Accountant Certified Management Accountant Chartered Accountant Chiropodist and Podiatrist Chiropractor Dental Hygienist Dental Technologist Dentist Denturist Dietitian Early Childhood Educator Forester Land Surveyor Lawyer (including Paralegal) Massage Therapist Medical Laboratory Technologist Medical Radiation Technologist Midwife Nurse Occupational Therapist Optician Optometrist Pharmacist Physician Physiotherapist Professional Engineer Professional Geoscientist Psychologist Respiratory Therapist Social Worker and Social Service Worker Teacher Veterinarian

Clients Access Centre partners with ITI's in a business relationship with the goal of licensure or employment in a regulated profession Provide current and credible information and application assistance in a context of each individuals education, career history and personal goals Community Agencies Access Centre provides an adjunct service for employment counsellors, settlement and library workers in the region Employers Access Centre is one of the ‘tools’ in place for companies to effectively connect with immigrant talent

Clients Help Internationally trained immigrants understand and navigate the complex licensure process in Ontario Help client’s understand international equivalencies including source verification to make informed career and licensure related decisions (WES, ICAS,CES etc) Facilitate document procurement from educational institutions, ministries of education, library archives, previous employers Facilitate legal requirements in the document process (notarization, attestations) Ensure ITI’s submit favourable applications to their regulatory bodies Assist with post application requirements for those interested in achieving full licensure in their field

Barriers to Licensure Some of the more common barriers faced by Internationally Trained Immigrants (ITI’s) in regulated professions are: Credential recognition Work experience recognition Recency of practice Canadian experience requirements Language and communication Costs associated with licensure ( Application fees, translations etc.) Post application examination requirements

Good News The Office of the Fairness Commissioner report 2008 The professions with the highest proportion of internationally trained members are: Pharmacy 36% Audiology and Speech Language Pathology 35% Chiropractic 28% Dental Technology 28% Physicians and Surgeons 27% Dentals Surgeons 26% Engineering 25%

Contact information Access Centre for Regulated Employment 171 Queens Avenue, Suite 320 London, ON N6A 5J7 Tel: Fax: