Government improving foreign credential recognition for 10 priority jobs

Launch of Express Entry to 'revolutionize' recruitment

The federal government, in partnership with the provinces and territories, is improving foreign credential recognition for 10 additional priority occupations including the skilled trades and health care, according to Jason Kenney, minister of employment and social development and minister for multiculturalism, and Chris Alexander, citizenship and immigration minister.

The 10 new priority occupations are: geoscientists, carpenters, electricians, heavy duty equipment technicians, heavy equipment operators, welders, audiologists and speech language pathologists, midwives, psychologists, and lawyers.

Occupations in the skilled trades were selected because they are in demand in some sectors and regions of the country, while occupations in health care were emphasized because they help address skills shortages and improve the quality of life of Canadians, said Kenney.

These occupations are part of a national framework that aims to streamline foreign credential recognition for priority occupations. For priority occupations, service standards are established so internationally trained professionals can have their qualifications assessed within one year, anywhere in Canada.

Under the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications, high-skilled newcomers in the 14 priority occupations include about 2,000 pharmacists, 1,200 dentists and 5,600 engineers.

"Skilled newcomers help fill shortages in key occupations and make an important contribution to Canada's economy. That is why we are speeding up foreign credential recognition for 10 more occupations, including jobs in the skilled trades and health care. This means that even more new Canadians can put their skills to work sooner across Canada,” said Kenney.

The government is building a faster, more fleixble immigration system to attract the best newcomers who can contribute to their communities and the economy, said Alexander. This includes the launch of Express Entry next January, “which will revolutionize the way we attract skilled immigrants and get them working here faster,” said Alexander.

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