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Foreign Qualifications Recognition Foreign Qualifications Recognition (FQR) is the process of verifying that the education, skills and experience obtained in another country meet the standards establish for Canadian workers FQR challenges for internationally trained individuals: –Complex and frustrating system –Often unable to find work in an occupation that recognizes their qualifications FQR system challenges: –Range of FQR decision makers –Increasing volume and diversity of applications –Improving transparency and accountability in assessment processes
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Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies8th Biennial Settlement Conference
The Future of Labour Market Integration
Gosia Cichy-WeclawAlberta Job, Skills, Training and Labour
October 23, 2015
Building and Educating Tomorrow’s Workforce
Alberta has workplaces with the people with the right skills in the right place and at the right time that contributes to the
province’s economic success
Foreign Qualifications Recognition
• Foreign Qualifications Recognition (FQR) is the process of verifying that the education, skills and experience obtained in another country meet the standards establish for Canadian workers
• FQR challenges for internationally trained individuals:– Complex and frustrating system– Often unable to find work in an occupation that
recognizes their qualifications • FQR system challenges:– Range of FQR decision makers– Increasing volume and diversity of applications– Improving transparency and accountability in
assessment processes
A Foreign Qualification Recognition Plan for Alberta (FQR Plan)
• First FQR Plan in Canada• Launched in November 2008• To ensure immigrants have
the opportunity to fully use their education, skills and work experience for the benefit of themselves and the Alberta economy
FQR Innovation Fund
• A key mechanism to support positive and significant systemic change in FQR practices
• Since 2009, over $5.6 million in funding for innovative projects serving to develop:
– Streamlined pathways to certification– Self-assessment tools– Bridge to licensure programs– Intercultural competency tools
Example: http://workandculture.com
Engagement with Partners
•Government is not a FQR decision maker but plays a leadership role and provides support in:–Promoting coordination, collaboration and information exchange within and between partners–Sharing best practices and ensuring accountability in improving FQR practices–Helping partners innovate and develop new projects–Supporting evidence-based decision making, allowing for better targeted FQR funding–Raising awareness of IQAS and other information resources
Engagement with Partners (Continued)
•Industry associations, employers, professional regulatory organizations (PROs), post-secondary institutions and immigrant serving organizations•In the last year: 3 forums, 360 participants–All stakeholder forum–Targeted engagement with employers & PROs•Ongoing engagement: work with PROs to identify significant barriers to FQR•Workshops, presentations
Recent FQR Accomplishments
• Increased awareness of FQR and access to information
• Innovative projects focus on two key priority areas as identified by our partners:– Bridging programs: bridge-to-licensure
programs help ensure that ITIs are able to acquire relevant knowledge and competencies with minimal repetition of previously acquired training
– Recognizing core competencies / prior learning assessments
Recent FQR Accomplishments
• More information on achievements and funded projects under the Innovation Fund in 2011-2013 Progress Report: – https://work.alberta.ca/documents/progress-
report-2013-fqr-for-Alberta.pdf
International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
• IQAS is a national and global leader in credential assessment
• In 2014/2015, IQAS issued 9,566 assessments to individuals with international education
• In August 2015, IQAS expanded services to provide educational credential assessments for immigration purposes– Opportunity to deliver pre-arrival services and
information to attract international talent to Alberta
• IQAS also provides expertise and advice to partners to promote accurate and fair recognition
Support for Newcomers: Pre-and Post-Arrival
• The Immigrate to Alberta Information Service (I2A) provides:– Information on credential recognition and
regulatory organizations– Advice on pathways to permanent residence
• Settlement supports and language assessment programs
• Websites: – www.albertacanada.com– www.alis.alberta.ca: OCCInfo
Opportunities Ahead
• Continue to develop pre-arrival resources and supports
• Leverage relationships between PROs and post-secondary institutions to develop accessible and sustainable bridging programs
• Build employer capacity to better recognize newcomers’ qualifications– Support the development of recruitment and
retention tools• Develop alternate career pathways to help ITIs
transition into related occupations
