Canada and Ontario cofund 12 new bridging programs to provide occupation-specific language training to newcomers

To improve the accessibility of internationally trained newcomers to occupational certification/registration and employment, the governments of Canada and Ontario have announced to jointly invest $11.2 million in Ontario’s bridge training programs.

Individually, the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is committing more than $7.8 million while Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration (MCI) is contributing more than $3.4 million for this purpose.

The funding, which is being provided under the $920 million Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), will be used for 12 of the 15 language training and bridge-to-work programs being delivered at 11 different universities, colleges and agencies in Toronto, Ontario. This bridging will target nearly 1,800 internationally educated professionals in specific fields such as healthcare, engineering, social work, architecture and finance through providing specialized language training, communication assessment services, bridge-to-work opportunities, and mentoring and internship placements.

For example, the School of Continuing Studies at University of Toronto will receive a total of $720,000 to develop and deliver a program aimed at helping Ontario’s internationally trained newcomers find employment in project management. Similarly, the CARE Center for Internationally Educated Nurses will receive a total of $507,603 to develop and provide innovative courses that teach language skills specific to nursing profession.

Other agencies that will receive funding include Association of Ontario Land Surveyors ($667,699), Community Microskills Development Centre ($1,251,188), Canadian Mothercraft Society ($474,630), Centennial College of Applied Arts and Technology ($139,334), Accessible Community Counseling and Employment Services for New Canadians ($383,501*), George Brown College ($805,173), G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, Ryerson University ($3,601,971), Jewish Vocational Service of Metropolitan Toronto ($1,428,658) and Toronto District School Board (1,273,532*).

Since 2003 the Ontario government has invested over $85 million in 145 bridge training programs, helping more than 20,000 newcomers improve their language skills, prepare for exams and work in their field sooner.