Program
will help immigrant engineers enter Canadian work force
Toronto, November 21, 2002 .
The
Ontario Society of Professional Engineers launched a new program today to
help internationally-educated engineers join the Canadian engineering
profession. The program, called Pathways, was officially opened at 12:00
noon on Thursday, November 21, 2002 by the Hon. Dianne Cunningham,
Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. The Ministry is financially supporting the first two
years of the pilot program.
Foreign-trained engineers make up the single largest group of
professionals awaiting licensure in Canada. Over 40,000 immigrants with
engineering training have come to Ontario in the past six years. To help
them, the Pathways program provides a combination of classroom training
and paid work placements. As
part of six weeks of in-class training, they are assessed for their
English-language abilities and are taught skills that will help them
become more competitive in the Canadian market.
"Everyone benefits when newcomers can put their skills and
education to work," said Minister Cunningham. "By working with
organizations like the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, our
government is lowering barriers and opening doors for internationally
trained immigrants who choose to come to Ontario."
One of the program participants, Younus Munsi, who came to Canada
in 2001 praised the program's focus on practical skills. "The softer
skills are perhaps the best thing that the Pathways Program has shown to
me so far. It has given me
insights into the Canadian corporate culture and has boosted my ability to
compete more effectively for jobs."
The initiative is widely supported by the engineering profession
and is expected to help over one hundred engineers a year pursue their
professional designation.
The Ontario Society of Professional Engineers is the voice of
engineers and engineering in Ontario.
The organization advances the professional and economic interests
of its members by working with governments, offering leading-edge
professional development and valued member services.
For further information contact
Jana
Manolakos
Manager,
Communications
(416)
223-9961, ext. 237
(416)
571-5030 cellular