Educational and training institutes are involved in foreign credential recognition in many ways. This section lists some of the FCR services provided by these institutes, and provides links to individual institutes that are currently implementing FCR initiatives.
FCR related services provided by educational and training institutes include:
- Assessment services
Many colleges and institutes facilitate credentialling processes by accessing the services of credential assessment bodies, and through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) services. For more information on PLAR, refer to the section on Credentials & competenciesin this web site.
- Language training
Occupation-specific language assessment and Foreign Credential Recognition services are offered for placement into English and French as a Second Language (ESL and FSL), English and French for Academic Purposes (EAP and FAP) programs, as well as for placement into career, technical, university preparation and applied degree programs.
- Community-based/Workplace training
Community-based training is offered through learning centres and in collaboration with municipal public libraries and community centres. Colleges and institutes are becoming increasingly involved in workplace training, which includes work placements for immigrant students during their ESL or career programs, career-focused programs in a workplace setting in collaboration with a private company, or contract training for businesses or industry to upgrade immigrant employees’ skills in a specific area involving technical or language skills. Career and technical programs targeted at immigrants tend to combine technical training with occupation-specific language training, and include bridging programs delivered by colleges and institutes with funding from provincial governments.
- Advising and Counselling Services
Advising and counselling services are available to prospective and enrolled immigrant students to assist with program entry and completion, and to facilitate job entry. These services are being enhanced for the specific needs of immigrants by including peer-helper, mentor and language partner programs that offer more one-on-one support for immigrant students.
Educational and training institutes are involved in some key programs and initiatives in FCR. Some of these are described below.
The Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC)
ACCC is the national and international voice through which Canada’s 150 member colleges and institutes inform and advise various levels of government, business, industry and labour. ACCC members provide learning opportunities for 900 communities across the country. ACCC is implementing the Canadian Immigration Integration Project (CIIP) pilot which provides an innovative overseas orientation and assessment service for prospective or approved immigrants to Canada in China, India and the Philippines. ACCC has also developed a strong working relationship with sector councils through “affinity groups” of college officials that work with sector councils so that the needs of the industry in each sector are better understood by colleges and institutes.
The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC)
AUCC is a non-governmental and not-for-profit group representing 93 Canadian public and private not-for-profit universities and university-degree level colleges. An AUCC brief presented to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration in March 2005 states that Canadian universities are already actively engaged in several foreign credential initiatives at the federal, provincial and community levels. The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) is working with AUCC to explore models to accelerate Immigration Labour Market Integration beginning overseas, and to map Canadian university capacity and related FCR issues.