Helping Internationally Trained Individuals on their Professional Path OCASI November 15, 2012

Presentation Outline Global Experience Ontario Snapshot of Immigration to Ontario Challenges Newcomers Face When Settling in Ontario Key Words 14 Non-Health Regulated Professions Health Regulated and Other Professions 22 Compulsory Trades Career Maps The Licensing Process Programs and Resources

Immigration – Ontario Context Between 2007 and 2011: 546,601 immigrants came to Ontario from more than 200 countries. Nearly 78% intended to settle in the Greater Toronto Area 73% indicated language ability in at least one of Canada’s two official languages Canada and Ontario receive immigrants from more than 200 countries, demonstrating a unique breadth of diversity among all the major immigrant accepting countries. Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Global Experience Ontario (GEO) GEO is an Access Centre which provides information and assistance on: – How to become registered to work in 14 non-health regulated professions – Internship and mentorship programs GEO serves: – Internationally trained individuals – Stakeholders who work with internationally trained individuals Language instructors Social service and employment workers Community agencies Job Fairs and conferences

The 14 Non-Health Regulated Professions Include: 1. Architecture 2. Certified Engineering Technician and Technologist 3. Certified General Accounting 4. Certified Management Accounting 5. Chartered Accounting 6. Early Childhood Education 7. Forestry 8. Land Surveying 9. Law (including Paralegal) 10. Professional Engineering 11. Professional Geoscientist 12. Social Work and Social Service work 13. Teaching 14. Veterinary Medicine

Challenges Faced by Internationally Trained Individuals (ITIs) Common Challenges –Gaining Canadian Work experience –Finding employment in their field –The need to upgrade their language ability requirements –Difficulty in building a network or professional circle Challenges during the professional licensing process –Finding information about how to get licensed in their field –Difficulty in providing original documents such as transcripts and degree from their country of origin on arrival –Finding information about alternative careers while pursuing their license –Paying examination/licensing/registration fees

Health-Regulated Professions Health Regulated Professions: HealthForceOntario (HFO) is an Access Centre that helps Internationally Educated Health Regulated Professionals with free information, advice, and support on the licensing process to practice in Ontario. Contact HFO: 163 Queen Street East, 2 nd Floor, Toronto, Ontario Telephone: Website:

Licensing Process Regulatory body Registration General eligibility Language requirements Academic credentials review Practical and/or Canadian work experience Examination and/or practise requirements Additional courses Fees and financial support

Strategies to help internationally trained individuals along their path 1. Stay connected to the regulatory body or related professional association. 2.Check regularly: Regulatory body and related professional/networking websites 3.Identify services, programs and tools that can help you: Bridge Training English and French as a Second Language Occupational Specific Language Training Mentoring Programs Internship Programs Professional Immigrant Networks (PINs) Volunteering 4.Find a Career Map, fact sheets or other useful guides 5.Municipal Immigration Portals:

The Trades

Trades in Ontario There are over 150 trades in Ontario. Trades can be Compulsory or Voluntary Currently 22 trades are Compulsory by legislation What does compulsory mean? –You must obtain a Certificate of Qualification to practice in a compulsory trade in Ontario What does voluntary mean? - You don’t need to be certified, but certification may give you many benefits.

The 22 Compulsory Trades 1.Electrician: Construction and Maintenance 2.Electrician: Domestic and Rural 3.Hoisting Engineer: Mobile Crane Operator Branch 1 4.Hoisting Engineer: Mobile Crane Operator Branch 2 5.Hoisting Engineer: Tower Crane Operator 6.Plumber 7.Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic 8.Residential Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic 9.Residential (low-rise) Sheet Metal Installer 10.Sheet Metal Worker 11.Steamfitter 12.Alignment and Brakes Technician 13.Auto Body and Collision Damage Repairer Branch 1 14.Auto Body Repairer Branch 2 15.Automotive Electronic Accessory Technician 16. Automotive Service Technician 17. Fuel and Electrical Systems Technician 18. Hairstylist 19. Motorcycle Technician 20. Transmission Technician 21. Truck and Coach Technician 22. Truck Trailer Service Technician

How to get started in the trades: There are two pathways for working in the trades in Ontario: –Certification If you have already worked in a trade, you can apply to write a Certificate of Qualification Exam which will enable you to work in a compulsory trade. It may help if you gather your documentation before you arrive in Ontario. -Apprenticeship Apprenticeship is a hands-on training program for people who want to work in a skilled trade. About 90 per cent of apprenticeship training is provided in the workplace by employers. Other training may be given in a classroom by a community college. -There are 25 apprenticeship offices across Ontario where you can register Employment Ontario can help you: Decide which pathway is best for you How to get your credentials assessed How to apply to become certified, upgrade your skills, or get into apprenticeship or call

The College of Trades will be a regulatory body for the skilled trades in Ontario. The College will regulate –what is required to work in each of the trades in Ontario –Who can be members –Professional conduct and ethical standards, etc. The New College of Trades GEO will provide information about and referrals to the compulsory trades as part of its mandate. The College of Trades website:

Career Maps Career Maps explain in detail every step of the registration process including: How to apply to be license and which credentials are required Work experience requirements including Canadian work experience English/French language requirements Industry trends and labour market conditions Licensing fees How long the process may take At present, GEO develops and updates over 40 career maps for regulated professions and trades in partnership with regulatory bodies. Career Maps are available online at:

From Licensing to Employment

Programs and Resources

Bridge Training Programs in Ontario What do Ontario’s Bridge Training Programs do?  provide training and opportunities to help internationally trained individuals get registered to work in their profession, or to facilitate systemic change  help highly-skilled newcomers get jobs in their area of expertise Programs may include: § academic and/or skills assessments § clinical or workplace experience § skills training or targeted academic training programs § preparation for a licence or certification examination § occupation-specific language training § individualized learning plans to address specific training needs Partners: § employers, post-secondary institutions, occupational regulatory bodies, community organizations and other levels of government ttp://

Internship and Mentorship Programs for ITIs Mentoring Partnershipwww.thementoringpartnership.comwww.thementoringpartnership.com –Mentoring bring together recent skilled immigrants and established professionals in occupation- specific mentoring relationships. –Mentors help break down employment barriers by offering industry-specific advice and contacts. –Studies show that newcomers who go through the mentoring program earn more than their counterparts who do not participate in the mentoring program. Ontario Public Service (OPS) Internship Program for Internationally Trained Individuals (ITIs) –The OPS Internship Program for ITIs is designed specifically for professional newcomers to Ontario, so that they can earn valuable Canadian work experience in their professional fields within the OPS. –The OPS administers the program in partnership with the Career Edge Organization through their Career Bridge Program which serves newcomers across the province.

Professional immigrant networks (PINs) are organized, volunteer-run member-based associations or networks created by and for immigrant professionals. PINs website improves the visibility of these networks and to makes it easier for immigrants, employers and other stakeholders to connect with them. Features of the website include a searchable directory of networks, communication tools, a resource library and PINs success stories. Activities of PINs include networking events, mentoring, information sessions, professional development opportunities such as workshops, speaker events and training and connections to employment opportunities.

Employment 1.Contact Employment Ontario or Resume writing, job interview techniques Networking skills Skills assessment, training and related jobs 2.Get certified to work in a skilled trade and learn about apprenticeship Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities/ Employment Ontario:

OntarioImmigration.ca Launched in 2006, OntarioImmigration.ca is the province’s web-based information resource for prospective and landed immigrants.

Referral Supports for Internationally Trained Individuals  Employment Ontario  Educational Institutions  Language training  Colleges and Universities  Settlement Agencies  Ontario Public Libraries Global Experience Ontario  Bridging programs  Mentorship programs  Internship programs  Specialized Language Training  Municipal Immigration Information Online Program  Credential Assessment Services  HealthForceOntario  Provincial Nominee Program  Professional Immigrant Networks  Occupational Regulatory Bodies

How To Contact GEO Phone us at : or TTY: or us at: Thank You