2011-2012 Invitation for Proposals: Bridging Projects for Internationally Trained Individuals

1. 2011-2012 Invitation for Proposals: Bridging Projects for Internationally Trained Individuals Presented by the Labour Market Integration Unit Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration

2. Purpose of the Information Session • Provide an overview of the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration’s (MCI) initiatives to integrate internationally trained individuals into the Ontario workforce • Provide an overview of bridging projects • Explain the Invitation for Proposals (IFP) process • Provide instructions on how to complete the application forms • Answer your questions about the IFP

3. MCI Initiatives to Integrate Newcomers Systemic Change Initiatives: • Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act, 2006 • Regional Newcomer Employer Networks • Bridging Projects Helping Newcomers Obtain Licensure and Employment: • Bridging Projects • Global Experience Ontario (GEO) • Career Maps and E-Career Maps • OPS Internship for Internationally Trained Engineers • Employment Ontario (TCU) • HealthForceOntario’s Access Centre for Internationally Educated Health Professionals (MOHLTC)

4. MCI Initiatives to Integrate Newcomers Language Training for Newcomers: • Specialized Language Training Pilot Projects (SLTPP) • Adult Non-Credit ESL/FSL/CL Language Training Program Settlement Services: • Newcomer Settlement Program • Language Interpreter Services • Ontario Community Builders Helping Employers Address Labour Market Needs: • Opportunities Ontario Provincial Nominee Program On-line Resources: • OntarioImmigration.ca • Municipal Immigration Information Online (MIIO)

5. An Introduction to Bridging Programs • Bridging projects assess a newcomer’s skills and provide targeted training that addresses only what a skilled newcomer needs to meet requirements for licensure (for regulated professions) and employment in Ontario. • In addition, bridging projects may also help Ontario’s employers and institutions better assess and integrate skilled newcomers effectively into Ontario’s workforce • Bridging projects develop and deliver: • training to assist internationally trained individuals in achieving licensure/ certification • training to help internationally trained individuals find employment commensurate with their skills and experience • initiatives that enhance the fairness and effectiveness with which Ontario’s institutions are able to respond to the integration of internationally trained individuals into the Ontario labour market on a system-wide or sector-wide basis. • Project partners typically include post-secondary institutions, regulators, employers, community agencies, and the federal government. • Bridging projects have assisted internationally trained nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians and skilled tradespeople, among others, to continue their careers in Ontario.

6. Who Bridge Training Programs Serve • Participants are the internationally trained individuals (with a post-secondary degree and international work experience) that the project will serve. Participants include Canadian citizens, permanent residents and convention refugees. • International students, temporary foreign workers and individuals without post-secondary credentials are not eligible.

7. The Three (3) IFP Application Categories 1) Getting a License – Bridge Training for Certification/Registration in Regulated Professions and Trades • Projects develop, pilot and deliver training/education programs that advance internationally trained individuals measurably toward certification/registration 2) Getting a Job – Pathways to Employment for Internationally Trained Individuals • Projects develop, pilot and deliver programs, tools, or other initiatives that assist internationally trained individuals in obtaining employment 3) Changing the System – Institutional Change Initiatives – Fair and Effective Processes • Projects lead to outcomes on a system-wide or sector-wide basis that enhance the fairness and effectiveness with which institutions are able to respond to internationally trained individuals

8. Bridging Projects and Long-Term Planning • A long-term plan is about embedding changes within institutions and practices. • Bridging education should not be seen as “special” or a one-off service provided at a specific point in time. • Long-term planning should lead to a permanent change in the way organizations do business and a mainstream part of day-to-day operations for educational institutions, licensure/regulatory bodies, community agencies and employers.

9. Bridge Training Program Criteria Projects will be evaluated and scored according to the following criteria:

10. The Invitation for Proposals (IFP) • Since 2003, the Ontario government has invested more than $180 million in over 220 bridge training programs, to serve about 42,000 internationally trained individuals. • Since 2004-2005, MCI has issued IFPs on an annual basis. • Through the 2010-2011 IFP, the Ministry received 109 proposals for new pilot bridging programs with a combined value of $124M.

11. Renewable Funding for Successful Existing Projects • The IFP invites successful multi-year bridging projects currently-funded by MCI that are ending between December 1, 2011 and November 30, 2012, to apply for renewable operational funding. • Renewable funding will be awarded to projects targeting licensure and/or employment outcomes for a period up to three (3) fiscal years (2011-2012 and 2015-2016, depending on start date). • Applicants for renewable funding must demonstrate that all other options for securing funding have been explored. • The purpose of MCI funding is to finance a funding shortfall or to ensure the continued operation of a successful program until other funding is secured.

12. Renewable Funding for Successful Existing Projects • In addition to meeting the evaluation criteria, projects applying for renewable funding will be evaluated on the following: • Successful project outcomes measured against original MCI contract performance commitments; • Plans to address any current or anticipated gap in service or regional needs; • Capacity to respond to changing certification/registration and employment requirements (e.g., through employer and/or regulatory representation on project advisory committee); • Improved responsiveness to the needs of internationally trained individuals as a result of the pilot project outcomes (e.g., through the incorporation of new training, tools or policies into regular business); • Capacity for continual improvement of all tools, curricula and processes to ensue that the project continues to meet requirements for certification/registration and/or employment.

13. IFP Submission Requirements • Applicants must submit, in a sealed package, a completed application form, including: • One (1) original signed hard copy of the Application Form, including all required appendices for your category (see Application Checklist at the back of the application form). • Two (2) photocopies of the Application Form, including all required appendices for your category (see Application Checklist at the back of the application form). • One (1) electronic copy of the Application Form on CD in Word format, including all required appendices for your category (see Application Checklist at the back of the application form). The CD should be clearly labelled with the applicant organization and project name. • Signatures of both the Applicant (who has legal signing authority for the Applicant Organization) and the Witness.

14. The Ontario Bridge Funding Agreement • Successful applicants will be required to enter into a standard MCI contract called the Ontario Bridge Funding Agreement. • In responding to this IFP, the Applicant accepts the terms and conditions set out in Schedule A of the Ontario Bridge Funding Agreement, which will be posted for reference on MCI’s website. • MCI reserves the right to update the Ontario Bridge Funding Agreement. • The Agreement and all of its schedules set out the funding, project activities, deliverables and numeric and project outcomes.

15. Additional Opportunities to Ask Questions • In addition to the information sessions, there will be three one-hour Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) teleconferences where applicants can ask questions and receive an immediate response. • FAQ teleconferences will be held on the following dates: • August 10, 2011 • August 24, 2011 (in French) • September 14, 2011 Dial-in information will be available on MCI’s website shortly. • All other questions must be submitted by e-mail to the IFP Coordinator at lmiifp@mci.gov.on.ca. • The deadline for submitting questions is 11:59:59 am (12 noon) on September 21, 2011. • FAQs will also be posted on MCI’s website.

16. IFP Application Deadline • All proposals are due 11:59:59 a.m. (i.e., prior to 12:00 Noon) on Thursday, September 29, 2011. • Applications must be submitted in a sealed package to the following address during business hours Monday through Friday (excluding Statutory Holidays): Administrative Coordinator Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Immigration Branch Labour Market Integration Unit 400 University Avenue, 3rd Floor Toronto, ON M7A 2R9 • Applications received by fax or other electronic means will be rejected. • Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of proposals submitted and a request for feedback on the application process, within ten (10) business days.

17. IFP Application Walk-Through • There will be a detailed review of how to complete the application form, using the Category 1 form as a guide. • Where there are significant differences between Category 1 and application forms for other categories, these will be highlighted. • Most of the questions that are asked in Category 1 are common to all three categories.