2006:01PU HELPING FOREIGN-TRAINED PROFESSIONALS ACCESS ACCREDITATION
Whereas:
- In 2003 The National Council of Women of Canada adopted policy entitled “Helping Foreign-Trained Health Care Professionals Access Accreditation”; and
- Other foreign-trained professionals besides health care workers have trouble finding jobs in their field, e.g., engineers, Information Technology professionals, teachers, because the licensing bodies of professional organizations do not accept the foreign credentials and work experience of immigrants; and
- Although standard tests for accreditation have been set up in most professions, fees for these qualifying examinations are high and may be unaffordable for some immigrants; and
- Foreign-trained professionals find it difficult to obtain the necessary Canadian experience in their field; and
- Foreign-trained women professionals face additional barriers to gaining accreditation, such as affordable and available childcare;
Resolved:
- That the National Council of Women of Canada adopt as policy that the process of accreditation for all professionals trained in other countries be made more accessible and affordable to those professionals, while ensuring that a uniform standard of competence is maintained across Canada; and be it further
Resolved:
- That the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to work with the provincial and territorial governments, professional organizations and licensing bodies to make accreditation more accessible and affordable for all foreign-trained professionals, while ensuring that a uniform standard of competence is maintained across Canada by:
a. Ensuring loans and other resources are available for qualifying examinations and upgrading;
b. Developing academic assessment tools and testing;
c. Ensuring re-testing is accessible and affordable;
d. Increasing the opportunities for foreign-trained professionals to acquire more Canadian experience under supervision; and
e. Accelerating the accreditation and retraining process through English and French language training, including long-term and/or immersion language training where necessary.
f. Taking into account the barriers women face, such as lack of childcare.
Resolved:
- That the National Council of Women of Canada request its Provincial and Local Councils to urge their respective governments to:
a. Ensure loans and other resources are accessible and affordable for qualifying examinations and upgrading;
b. Develop academic assessment tools and testing;
c. Ensure re-testing is accessible and affordable;
d. Increase the opportunities for foreign-trained professionals to acquire more Canadian experience under supervision.