Nova Scotia to improve foreign credentials recognition service

The Nova Scotia government will continue to work alongside its federal counterparts to improved foreign credential recognition in the province, designed to help internationally trained professionals living in the province jobs in their fields faster.

The Government of Canada will provide CDN$1.3 million towards the Building International Recognition in Nova Scotia project, while the Government of Nova Scotia will provide nearly CDN$610,000.

Through this project, the Government of Nova Scotia will work alongside stakeholders and partners to create online tools and programmes to help internationally trained workers prepare for their licensure exams. It will also develop projects to help bridge the gap in training programs and help internationally trained professionals investigate alternative career opportunities that best utilize their skills and experience.

Peter MacKay, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, noted that highly skilled newcomers play a key role in the province’s workforce, but added that its economy and society can benefit even more by finding better ways to tap into their skills and talents.

“This is a great opportunity for the province of Nova Scotia to get access to the skilled workforce it needs to prosper and, as a result, for Canada to continue to prosper,” said McKay This project will help prepare highly skilled newcomers living in Nova Scotia so they can take advantage of employment opportunities in the province that best utilise their skills, experience and qualifications.”

The Government of Canada is currently exploring ways of improving foreign credential recognition for internationally trained professionals across the country.

Recently, Minister Kenney announced that, in partnership with provincial and territorial partners, the Government of Canada will improve foreign credential recognition for 10 additional priority occupations. Specifically, the Government of Canada is establishing a one-year service standard, meaning new Canadians in the following fields will have their credentials assessed within a one-year period:  geoscientists, carpenters, electricians, heavy-duty equipment technicians, heavy equipment operators, welders, audiologists and speech-language pathologists, midwives, psychologists and lawyers.

“Our government’s top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. We recognize that skilled newcomers help fill shortages in key occupations and make an important contribution to Canada’s economy,” Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development. “That is why we are streamlining foreign credential and experience recognition so that more skilled newcomers in Nova Scotia can put their talents to work in the province sooner.”

Article published 18th November 2014