Multicultural Council Launches Loan Program to help Immigrants get Credentials Recognized in NB
It is well-known that immigrants face significant challenges with foreign credential recognition when they come to Canada. This creates considerable frustration for those impacted. What is less well-known, is how this disconnect is affecting the Canadian economy.
According to the report, Brain Gain 2015: The State of Canada’s Learning Recognition System, the Canadian economy misses out on approximately 17 billion dollars per year, because of under and unemployment of immigrants. The New Brunswick Multicultural Council is pleased to announce an initiative to help change that. Join us for the official launch of the Career Pathways Loan Program, hosted by the Multicultural Association of Fredericton, Inc. in the Wellness Room, May 23, 2017 at 10:00 am.
The renewal of this program is made possible through the partnership with OMISTA Credit Union and funding from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). This loan of up to $15, 000 is available for people living in New Brunswick to help cover the cost of training, testing, licensing, and living costs to have their foreign credentials recognized in Canada.
“We are very excited to be opening up this opportunity for New Brunswick immigrants to further advance their career goals” says NBMC Executive Director, Alex LeBlanc. “New changes have been introduced that increase accessibility and accelerate successful integration of newcomers in New Brunswick, while having important positive results on the workforce”.
President of the NBMC, Mike Timani, highlights how many immigrants arrive with educational and work experiences that are called something different in New Brunswick: “This often requires additional qualifications to practice safely and meet the requirements established by regulatory authorities, which can be very costly and time consuming”. The loan is a way to allow immigrants to access the financial assistance they need and get into the workforce more quickly, which is a great advantage for both newcomers and the province. Timani adds that “Long term economic success in the province depends on its ability to attract and retain skilled international professionals that address our labour-market needs. The Career Pathways Loan is going to be a key resource to facilitate retention and allow immigrants to reach their goals in NB”.