Presented by Benilda Silkowska-Masior, Senior Program Advisor Labour Market Integration Unit, Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
Text of Ontario's Bridge Training Programs
1. Ontarios Bridge Training Programs (OBTP) March 2013 ----------------------------------------------------- Presented by: Benilda Silkowska-Masior, Senior Program Advisor Labour Market Integration Unit
2. Mandate: Economic Integration of Skilled NewcomersBridge Training helps internationally trained individuals (ITIs) move quickly into the Ontariolabour market at a level commensurate with their international skills, education and experience. Bridge Training is about Providing targeted, occupation-specific training and services to improve the access of ITIs to licensure and employment in both regulated and high-skill non-regulated occupations. Bridge Training Bridge Training helps participants CREATES SOMETHING NEW: OVERCOME KEY BARRIERS: Identifies training needs & opportunities Licensure/registration requirements in Pilots new training curriculum for ITIs regulated professions Occupation-specific language and Develops new services for ITIs communication proficiency Develops new tools for employers & Canadian work experience and regulators employment references 2
3. Bridge training: moving towards workforce integration Licensure EmploymentPre-Licensure Workforce Integration Retention Employee and employer satisfaction Promotion Career advancement 3
4. Ontario: A Leader in Bridge Training Since 2003, Ontario has invested more than $240M in more than 300 Bridge Training projects Over 100 high-skill occupations have been targeted by Ontario Bridge Training projects, including the following examples: Regulated Professions Targeted High-Skill Occupations Targeted Engineering Financial Services Nursing Information Technology Pharmacy Business Administration Physio & Occupational Therapy Human Resources Medical Laboratory Technology Supply chain/Logistics Land Surveying Skilled Trades 4
5. Skilled Immigrant Integration Strategy Ontario Bridge Training involves projects in the following three categories: 1. Getting a License target licensure and employment outcomes in regulated professions. 2. Getting a Job target employment outcomes in regulated and high-skill, non-regulated occupations. 3. Changing the System seek to create change on a systemic or sector- wide basis. Projects are delivered by a range of partner organizations (e.g., regulatory bodies, professional associations, community agencies, colleges and universities). Bridge Training projects are multi-year, typically three years in duration. 5
6. Bridge Training: A Continuum of ServicesGetting a Job programs Getting a License programs Occupation- Specialized Specific Canadian Employment Exam Language Academic Work Services: Preparation Workplace Training Practice Internship Assessment of: & Experience Job Search Qualification Labour Prior Learning Technical Orientation Resume Recognition Market Clinical Apprenticeship Work Experience Training Job Interview LicensureOrientation Workplace Practicum Language Skills (hard Placement Networking Culture & skills) Certification Mentorship Communication (soft skills) Workforce Integration Target Target Employment RegistrationChanging the System programs Networking Mentorships Process Improvements Gap Analysis Employer Engagement Institutional Engagement 6
7. Bridge Training Project Selection Process The Ministry invites organizations to apply for funding through a competitive Invitation for Proposals (IFPs) process. The IFP is released to seek proposals for new and renewed Bridge Training projects, typically on an annual basis. Special consideration is given to proposals that target under-served areas and Francophone immigrants. Priority sectors may also be identified based on an analysis of labour market needs. Throughout this process, the Ministry consults with other Ontario ministries and the Federal government in order to avoid service duplication and any other contentious issues. There are currently 90 active Ontario Bridge Training Programs (OBTPs) 35 projects in the Getting a License category; 43 projects in the Getting a Job category; 12 projects in the Changing the System category. 7
8. Performance Outcomes MCI currently funds about 90 Bridge Training projects worth $126.7M in multi-year funding. Category 1: Category 2: Category 3 Getting a License Getting a Job Changing the System There are currently 35 There are currently 43 There are currently 12 bridge training bridge training projects bridge training projects projects in this category. in this category. in this category. Systemic change projects have a wide Approximately 70% of On average, 67% of range of objectives, for example: participants who participants who Research and gap analysis complete bridge training complete bridge Development of language programs targeting training programs in assessment tools licensure obtain this category obtain Development and dissemination of licensure in their employment in their HR tools supporting hiring and profession within a year field within a year of retention of ITIs of completing the completing the Establish mentoring partnerships program. program. Support Regional Newcomer Employer Networks (RNENs). Projects are required to report on numeric outcomes on a monthly basis. On a semi-annualbasis, projects provide qualitative outcomes in the form of status reports, individual and project success stories. Participant profiles are submitted annually. 8
9. Professional licensure outcomes of Ontario Bridge Training Projects in 2011-2012Example of individual success:Phunstok Wango has a Registered Nurse/Registered Midwife certificate andworked as a Registered Nurse for 8 years in India.After arriving in Canada, she struggled to find a job commensurate with herexperience and enrolled in the Bridge to Certification for Internationally EducatedNurses bridge training program delivered by Fanshawe College of Applied Artsand Technology.She is now a Registered Nurse and is working at the London Health SciencesCentre. 9
