Helping Skilled Newcomers Find Jobs

Taking Strong Action to Grow London's Economy - bridge training programs 

Ontario and Canada are working together to help more than 520 skilled newcomers in London get the training and support they need to find work in their fields and contribute to the local economy.

The Federal and Provincial governments are investing a combined $1,330,701 in five bridge training projects in London. These projects will use this funding to:

• Fanshawe College of Applied Arts and Technology will be able to help over 20 internationally educated nurses and human resources professionals to upgrade their credentials through two bridge training programs.
  
  
• WIL Employment Connections, in collaboration with the London Middlesex Immigrant Employment Council, will deliver a group mentorship program and launch a new London region Job Match Network. This investment includes renewed funding for the Access Centre for Regulated Employment which assists internationally trained professionals seeking information and licensure in Ontario's 35 regulated professions. These projects combined will assist a minimum 500 skilled newcomers in our community.

Seventy Ontario bridge training projects are being offered across the province. The projects will provide occupation-specific training, licensure preparation and Canadian work experience to skilled newcomers.

QUOTES

"London's skilled newcomers will benefit from these projects by getting the training, skills and support they need to help them enter the workforce and contribute to our economy."
-Chris Bentley, MPP London West

"Our government's support for these programs is a win-win for everyone and they help to make our community stronger."
- Deb Matthews, MPP London North Centre

"Thanks to combined funding of $1.3 million from the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario, these programs will help newcomers in skilled professions get the training , experience and support they need, in order to get their credentials recognized and find work in their field of expertise. These programs are just two of the 70 Ontario bridge training projects made possible, in part, by the Government of Canada's overall contribution of $22-million dollars over two years."
- Susan Truppe, MP London North Centre

"Fanshawe College is proud to provide the education opportunities that make southwestern Ontario an appealing destination for newcomers to Canada. These bridging programs integrate the skills of internationally-trained workers with provincial requirements so they are well-prepared to enter the work force. We would like to thank our federal and provincial partners for their continued support."
- Howard Rundle, President of Fanshawe College

"Bridge Training funding supports the development of innovative programs and services that are customized to the needs of the internationally trained individuals in our community."
- Anne Langille, Executive Director of WIL Employment Connections

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario is investing $35 million and the Government of Canada is investing up to $22 million in 70 projects across the province - more than 11,000 skilled newcomers will receive training and support.
  
  
• The projects will benefit skilled newcomers in a broad range of professions including: IT, law, healthcare, engineering, green economy and business administration.
  
  
• Since 2003, Ontario has invested more than $240 million to help about 50,000 skilled newcomers get licensed and get Canadian job experience - $11,482 ,891 has gone to bridge training projects in London.