Programs and Services for Immigrants

Education and Training Programs
Bridging and Transition Programs

Bridging Programs

Bridging programs are designed specifically for foreign trained professionals and tradespersons. They enable immigrants to transition more quickly into the Canadian labour market by providing training that addresses specific needs and facilitates the recognition of foreign credentials.

These programs may include training in the following areas:

• occupation-specific language training;
• training in Canadian workplace culture, practices and communication;
• technical upgrading according to Canadian requirements; and,
• work placements to gain Canadian work experience.

The bridging and transition programs currently offered by colleges and institutes across the country focus on the following professions: nursing and health care workers, engineering and the trades. Colleges and institutes in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec are delivering these programs with special funding from provincial governments. The bridging programs that are currently available include:

Alberta

Bow Valley College, Calgary, Alberta

Accounting Assistant – ESL Certificate
The Accounting Assistant ESL Program is a 44-week program designed for unemployed immigrants who wish to work in entry-level positions in the field of accounting but lack the language and occupational skills to do so. The program provides occupational as well as English as a Second Language (ESL) training. The ESL training is customized to ensure participants can effectively function in a Canadian workplace and handle the training textbooks and materials. The program provides participants with the theory and practice of accounting principles, as well as computerized accounting software. Students learn how to set up, open and operate a complete set of books, including the preparation of financial statements. Core business skills such as general office procedures, Microsoft Word and Excel, and common accounting software programs are also covered.

Work Experience for Immigrants
The Work Experience for Immigrants program is designed for unemployed foreign-trained professionals. It is a 16-week program comprised of 10 weeks of in-class sessions focusing on Canadian workplace culture, functionality and communications on the job followed by six weeks of Canadian work experience. Up to 70 percent of those who complete this program find employment directly related to their previous professions. The college runs four groups per year, with each group consisting of 34 students.

Norquest College, Edmonton, Alberta

Career Options for New Canadians
This program is designed for new Canadians who have career credentials and are trying to establish themselves in the Canadian workplace. It runs for two 20-week semesters, and includes:

• three months of classroom instruction on subjects such as computer literacy, communications skills, job safety skills, science, and English;
• up to seven months of supervised on-the-job training.
  

ESL Trades
The ESL Trades Program is designed for immigrants with training and experience in a trade. It helps participants develop pre-trade skills, find work in their trade or occupation and become qualified in their chosen field. In this program, participants also improve their English, and learn job search skills such as researching potential employers and writing resumes.

Ontario

Algonquin College, Ottawa

Foreign-Trained Nurse Program
The School of Health and Community Studies offers this program in collaboration with the Algonquin College Language Institute. The program assists foreign-trained nurses in meeting the professional educational requirements of the College of Nurses of Ontario to practice in the health care sector in Ontario.

Centennial College, George Brown College and Ryerson University, Toronto
Care Project for Nurses
This program provides educational and professional support for internationally trained nurses so that they may access employment in Ontario.

Fanshawe College, London
Preparation for Apprenticeship, Trades and Technology
This program is delivered in collaboration with 3M Canada Inc., and prepares participants for certification in skilled manufacturing trades, namely general machinist, tool and die maker, industrial mechanic millwright and welder.

George Brown College, Toronto
Computer Programmer (Health and Financial Services) Diploma for Internationally-Educated Professionals
This program provides alternate career paths for engineers, technologists, technicians and other foreign-trained professionals who possess some computer training and experience.

Georgian College, Barry
Bridges to Employment
This program prepares foreign-trained workers with a background in precision machining and tooling and related mechanical and engineering occupations to write a certification exam or qualify for an exemption from part of apprenticeship training.
The program is delivered in collaboration with the Simcoe County Training Board, Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association and Global Placement Services.

Humber Institute of Technology and Applied Learning, Toronto
Centre for Foreign-trained Professionals
The centre offers a four-week program that assists foreign-trained professionals and tradespeople to find work related to their background and experience.

Michener Institute and George Brown College, Toronto
Access and Options for Internationally-Trained Health Care Professionals
The program offers customized, modular programs leading to employment and licensing in critical health care professions such as medical radiation technology, medical laboratory technology and respiratory therapy. The Michener Institute and George Brown College are partnering with six professional associations and regulatory bodies to deliver this program.

Quebec

Cégep André Laurendeau, Montreal

Adaptation en Instrumentation et Automatisation
Ce programme vise à adapter les compétences de sa clientèle par l’acquisition des connaissances et méthodes permettant de mieux répondre aux exigences de l’industrie d’ici et d’aujourd’hui. Les nouveaux arrivants ayant une formation dans le domaine ainsi que les diplômés du domaine qui désirent actualiser ou parfaire leur formation au niveau des équipements, des normes et des pratiques verront en ce programme une plus value à leur formation.

Cégep du Vieux Montréal, Montréal

Intégration à la profession infirmière au Québec
Ce programme vise à permettre aux personnes infirmières diplômées à l'étranger de compléter leur formation afin qu'elles puissent réussir l'examen préalable de l'Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ) requis pour l'obtention du permis d'exercice de sa profession et leur permettre l'accessibilité au marché du travail québécois.

Perfectionnement pour ingénieurs immigrants
This program provides training for foreign-trained engineers in technical language upgrading, computer software and workplace training.