New Brunswick’s Foreign Qualifications Recognition (FQR) Program

1. New Brunswick’s Foreign Qualifications Recognition (FQR) Program Population Growth Division Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour NBMC Annual Conference November 15, 2012

2. New Brunswick Implementation Plan • Implementation Plan modeled on Framework’s “Pathways to Recognition” • Focus on: • pre-arrival and preparation; • assessment; • recognition; • individual and employer support; and, • workforce participation • Framework: Principles-Based; Collaborative; Results-focused • Targeted Occupations (14) • NB Plan has had to account for the province’s rural, bilingual and other demographic/infrastructure realities • Recognition of foreign qualifications essential to integration of foreign trained workers(FTWs) into NB’s labour market • Attraction, integration, and retention of FTWs key

3. New Brunswick Implementation Plan • New Brunswick is using the Pan-Canadian Implementation Plan as the basis for its strategy for implementing a Pan-CanadianFramework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications in New Brunswick • New Brunswick has modified the national plan to account for the province’s rural, bilingual and other demographic/infrastructure realities • Through a two-phase approach the province has diagnosed current FQR challenges and is implementing an action plan to address these challenges

4. The following diagram represents the scope of the Framework as viewed through the eyes of an individual seeking to put their foreign qualifications to use within the Canadian labour market:

5. Target Occupations Action Plans for each Target Occupations were developed in collaboration with regulatory bodies and other relevant stakeholders and reflect the continuous improvement needed to meet the Framework’s principles and desired outcomes along the FQR pathway, from pre-arrival supports to workforce participation.

6. New Brunswick Implementation Plan Phase I: Diagnostic Needs Assessment & Strategic Plan June 1, 2010 – March 31, 2011 Phase II: Implementation April 1, 2011 – March 31, 2013 • Objectives finalized following outcome of Phase I analysis and needs assessment • Continuation and expansion of implementation activities

7. New Brunswick Implementation Plan - Partners • Provincial and National regulatory bodies • Immigrant-serving agencies and multicultural organizations • Professional associations • Economic Development Agencies • Post-Secondary Institutions • Private sector experts • Provincial government departments (Health and Education) • Employers • Individual immigrants • Federal partners • Other provinces and territories

8. New Brunswick Implementation Plan • Implemented in close cooperation with regulatory bodies and other stakeholders • FQR a Provincial commitment; not regulatory body requirement • Commitment to helping reshape FQR in this province • Development of new infrastructure to serve internationally-trained workers • Meeting Framework principles: • Fair • Transparent • Consistent • Timely

9. NB Projects and Activities for 2011-2013 • 12 occupation specific factsheets on NB Portal • 6 more almost complete (by end of December 2012) • General factsheets with all regulators web addresses • General skilled trades factsheets for all 72 designated provincial trades • www.gnb.ca/immigration • Web projects with: • physiotherapists • Engineers • Engineering technicians/technologists • Foresters • Licensed practical nurses • Land surveyors • Opticians • Dental technicians

10. NB Projects and Activities for 2011-2013 • NB stakeholder participation (25) at CICIC “National Workshop for Academic Credential Assessors” (October 2011) • Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS) • Intercultural diversity training for Francophone IEHPs • Deployment of DIS program across province • FQR provincial health stakeholder colloquium • Medical Laboratory Technologists • Stakeholder meeting to develop advisory committee • Sensitivity training for laboratory supervisors/staff • Bridging program support – online course development • Nurses Association of New Brunswick (NANB) • Bilingual competency assessment and bridging for internationally educated nurses (IENs)

11. NB Projects and Activities for 2011-2013 • Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses (ANBLPN) • “Pathway to Success” program for internationally educated LPNs • NB Foresters (ARPFNB) • Assessor training and bilingual credentialing information for internationally trained foresters • Multicultural Association of Chaleur Region • Coordinated support for Francophone newcomers in regulated occupations • Sector specific language course • New Brunswick Multicultural Council Inc (NBMC) • Creating Inclusive Workplaces program • Immigrant Settlement Integration Services (ISIS) NS • MOU for healthcare communication course

12. Example Challenge: IMGs • International Medical Graduate (IMG) • Many IMGs in province unable to find work as physicians • Licenses tied to positions • Labour market determines likelihood to find position and appropriate license • Skill atrophy: time away from practicing renders less likely for practice eligibility • Low unemployment for physicians in province (5% approximately) • Only few specializations in demand; vary from year to year • Options: • alternative career transitions/work in related occupation • retraining/ back to school • Solutions?

13. Mandatory Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) • Proposed change to Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) • Mandatory credential assessment: authenticity and equivalency • Up to 25 points for education • Under reform of IRPA, education points for FSW will awarded based on comparability to Canadian education

14. Importance of Managing Newcomer Expectations • Necessary information: • Who to contact; what information is available and where; what do I need to apply for assessment and, hopefully, recognition; and, what do I do if I cannot get recognition (options) • For regulated occupations, begin with Regulatory Body • Pre-arrival factsheets indentify pathway to licensure in 12 regulated occupations, with 6 more soon to come • NB web portal (www.gnb.ca/immigration) contains information on immigrating, settling, and working in NB (Working in NB, Canada Tool)