Canada Targets 32,000 Skilled Foreign Workers, Announces Tool to Check Jobs and Salaries
- Canada has taken a bold step to address the country's labour shortage, especially in the area of skilled workers
- The government has announced its goal of recognising approximately 32,000 globally trained professionals
- A tool where skilled workers can find out more information about the Canadian programme was also outlined
The Canadian government is looking to expedite the recognition of foreign skilled workers under its Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) Program for the 2026–2027 fiscal year.
The new initiative seeks to address the challenges skilled immigrants face in their quest to get foreign qualifications recognised, affording them a pathway to work in certain fields.
Source: Getty Images
In this vein, the Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) initiative will assist foreign skilled workers to integrate into the Canadian labour market by supporting credential recognition and employment in their respective fields.
The government will sign agreements with provinces, regulatory bodies, professional associations, and credential assessment agencies to expedite the recognition of skilled immigrants and help them obtain their licenses faster, targeting approximately 32,000 internationally trained professionals.
In doing so, the government will provide funding to organisations to offer services such as faster credential-recognition processes, FCR loan support, and employment assistance linked to Canadian work experience.
The government will also provide loans ranging from $15,000 to $30,000 to assist immigrant skilled workers in paying for licensing and exam fees, additional education, tuition, and other costs associated with getting their qualifications accepted in Canada.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), it will continue to partner with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and provincial partners to address concerns that prevent internationally trained professionals from entering regulated occupations.
At the moment, IRCC provides pre-arrival services to eligible permanent residents.
This initiative will benefit Ghanaian professionals in sectors such as healthcare jobs like nurses, doctors, pharmacists, medical laboratory technicians, and dentists, as well as engineering jobs, teaching jobs, and business and finance roles such as accountants, financial analysts, and auditors.
Canada’s effort to bring in more trained professionals over the next year reflects the country’s commitment to addressing labour shortages in key areas of its workforce with qualified newcomers.
Source: UGC
Tool for Foreign Credential Recognition in Canada
In demonstrating its commitment, the FCR tool has been introduced, to help foreign workers determine whether their profession or trade is regulated in the province or territory where they want to work.
It will also help them find the regulatory body for the profession or trade, and learn about job descriptions, career opportunities, average salaries, and jobs in their profession.
However, it is worth noting that applicants must meet regulatory requirements, which differ by occupation and province.
Canada announces Express Entry programme
In a related development, YEN.com.gh also previously reported that Canada had announced that it is seeking foreign nationals to come and work in the country.
A Facebook post on the IRCC page, however, explained that the opportunity would be open for skilled professionals in specific areas under the Express Entry category.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
