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For many internationally educated professionals, arriving in Canada brings hope for new opportunities but also a frustrating reality: the skills, experiences and qualifications they’ve worked years to earn abroad are often undervalued or unrecognized. This challenge, known as foreign credential recognition (FCR), continues to be one of the most significant barriers to economic integration for immigrants, refugees and international students.
Career practitioners play an essential role in supporting clients through the credential-recognition process. The following resources can help practitioners guide newcomers and internationally educated professionals more effectively.
Read more on “Supporting Newcomer Success” in our article series:
- How employers can attract, hire and retain internationally trained talent
- Canada needs a bridging culture to support newcomer success
- Resources to help employers hire – and keep – newcomer professionals
Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC)
CICIC offers practical tools such as directories of accredited institutions, occupational profiles and step-by-step guidance for assessing international credentials for work, study or immigration. Career practitioners can use CICC’s resources to help clients understand how their education and training compare in the Canadian context.
Foreign Credential Recognition Loans Program
Open to B.C. residents, this program is funded by the federal government to help skilled immigrants, including refugees, return to their professional fields in Canada or transition into new ones. The program provides loans up to $30,000 to cover costs like tuition, courses, credential evaluations and exam fees with flexible repayment plans. Career counselling, resume building and mentorship services are also offered.
Government of Canada: Foreign Credential Recognition Program
The Foreign Credential Recognition Program supports the labour market integration of skilled newcomers by simplifying credential recognition processes across Canada, and by funding projects and supports that ease assessments and licensing. It does not provide funding directly to individuals, but rather to provincial/territorial governments and regulatory bodies to carry out recognition projects. Career practitioners can utilize this up to date information to help their clients navigate the complex process of credential recognition in Canada.
Hire Immigrants Ottawa (HIO)
This Ottawa-based non-profit initiative is dedicated to improving the recruitment, integration and inclusion of internationally trained professionals and newcomers to the workforce. They offer guides and tip sheets on credential evaluation, workshops on cross-cultural training, programs to connect employers & immigrants, and more.
Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISS of BC)
ISS of BC is a non-profit settlement organization that provides free services to newcomers in British Columbia, including immigrants, refugees, international students and temporary workers. They support clients in settling into communities, learning English and finding work.
World Education Services (WES) [Organization]
This is a non-profit social enterprise that provides credential evaluation services for international students, immigrants and professionals in the U.S. and Canada. WES is designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to perform Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs), which assess foreign degrees and diplomas to their Canadian equivalents.
Additional reading from CareerWise
- Breaking down the ‘Canadian experience’ barrier for newcomers
- Federal funding and supports for retraining in Canada
- Foreign credential recognition in Canada: What happens when newcomers’ skills go unrecognized?
- Resources to support the professional integration of refugees in Canada