Breaking Down Barriers: Navigating Foreign Credential Recognition in Canada

On this post:

Non-recognition of foreign credentials

Regulated professions and licensing Underemployment

Lack of Canadian work experience

Limited support networks

Canada has long been a popular destination for skilled professionals from abroad seeking new opportunities. However, many newcomers face significant challenges when attempting to integrate into the local workforce due to issues surrounding the recognition of foreign credentials, which has been identified as the primary obstacle to better utilization of immigrant skills. Organizations should consider these challenges too, as immigrants can help bridge gaps in labour markets and their workforces, particularly in sectors facing critical shortages. Let’s explore these challenges and the implications for newcomers and businesses.

Non-recognition of foreign credentials

One of the most significant barriers is the lack of recognition of foreign education, training, and work experience. Many regulated professions, such as in the fields of medicine, accounting and finance, engineering, and law, require newcomers to undergo complex and expensive processes to have their credentials assessed. This often involves evaluations by provincial regulatory bodies, writing additional exams, and sometimes even complete re-education in Canada. These costs can be overwhelming for those who are already dealing with the financial challenge of establishing themselves in a new country.

Regulated professions and licensing

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), about 20% of Canadian jobs are in regulated professions requiring licensing or certification. Each province has its own standards, including supervised work experience, language proficiency testing, and professional fees. This fragmented system adds to the difficulties faced by immigrants trying to re-enter their original occupation.

Underemployment

Due to delays or failures in getting their foreign credentials recognized, many skilled professionals are forced to accept jobs unrelated to their qualifications. Underemployment wastes valuable skills and experience, leaving many immigrants frustrated with the system and financially disadvantaged. It is unfortunately not uncommon to find foreign-trained doctors and engineers working in roles completely unrelated to their vocation. Studies show that in 2021, only 44% of immigrants who had arrived in Canada in the decade prior were employed in jobs that matched their level of education, compared to 64% of workers born in Canada aged 25 to 34 (Statistics Canada).

Many newcomers face significant challenges when attempting to integrate into the local workforce due to issues surrounding the recognition of foreign credentials. This is the primary obstacle to better utilization of immigrant skills.

Lack of Canadian work experience

Employers tend to prioritize Canadian work experience, creating another obstacle for immigrants. This bias can leave skilled professionals struggling to secure roles matching their qualifications. Properly integrating their skills could help address worker shortages and increase overall productivity. A study conducted in 2020 by Statistics Canada showed that a 10% increase in immigrant share correlated with a 1.9% firm productivity increase over 10 years in Canada. For individual firms that experienced larger increases in immigrant labour share, their contribution could be substantial. The study also found that immigration has a positive effect on both employee wages and employer profits.

Limited support networks

Newcomers usually lack established networks in Canada, which are crucial for professional referrals and mentorship opportunities. The lack of connections makes it much more difficult to navigate the labour market or find professional guidance.

---

While these challenges are daunting, there are ways to make the journey easier:

Solutions for Newcomers

• Start Early: Initiate the credential recognition process before arriving in Canada. Services funded by IRCC can provide guidance on specific licensing requirements and assist with assessment preparation.

• Government Programs: For financial assistance and guidance, utilize initiatives such as the Foreign Credential Recognition Program.

• Networking: Leverage local immigrant support organizations for career counseling, workshops, and opportunities to build your professional network.

• Language Training: To improve communication skills, enroll in programs such as Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) or its French equivalent, Cours de Langue pour les Immigrants au Canada (CLIC).

Solutions for Businesses

• Advocacy: Streamline national standards for credential recognition across provinces to reduce complexities in evaluating qualified international candidates for roles.

• Update recruitment practices: Employ culturally sensitive screening and recruitment methods to proactively engage with international talent pools that can help your organization diversify skillsets.

• Bridging Programs: Offer training to help immigrants adapt their skills to what local markets demand and build their Canadian experience. This could be in the form of mentorship, internships, and other learning opportunities, such as reskilling or upskilling.

• Promote Diversity and Inclusion: Create and implement diversity initiatives to foster collaboration and innovation in the workplace while reducing systemic barriers such as discrimination.

At Phoenix Rising Consulting Group, we also help newcomers and businesses by providing career coaching, designing inclusive recruitment strategies that recognize and value international candidates, and optimizing resources to fund programs that support foreign credential employment initiatives. By systematically addressing these barriers, Canada can better harness the skills and expertise that immigrants bring while ensuring they thrive professionally in their new home. Setting newcomers up for success early facilitates building a solid foundation for future success and benefits society as a whole.