VANCOUVER – Immigrants to B.C. seeking employment in regulated occupations will benefit from a new pan-Canadian framework to improve the recognition of foreign qualifications by ensuring that their education, skills, knowledge, and experience are fully utilized in the labour market sooner, announced Surrey-Tynehead MLA and Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism Dave Hayer on behalf of the Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development Moira Stilwell.
“More than 40,000 immigrants arrive in B.C. annually, most are highly educated and experienced, and are a vital part of British Columbia’s economic well-being and long-term growth,” said Stilwell. “British Columbia has been an active participant in the development of this new framework, and we will continue to lead efforts to streamline, simplify, and improve foreign qualifications assessment and recognition practices in Canada.”
Under the new Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications, the provinces have committed to a shared vision for making foreign qualifications recognition practices faster, fairer, more transparent, and consistent across the country.
This framework will result in a number of changes for immigrants, including better information to help immigrants prepare for their assessment requirements, more opportunities to begin the qualifications assessment process pre-arrival, assessment processes that are as timely and cost-effective as possible, opportunities for upgrading qualifications, and supports to both individuals and employers that will improve the workforce participation of immigrants across the province.
“As the Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism, I recognize the tremendous challenge that immigrants face in their efforts to establish themselves in their new communities across the province,” said Hayer. “We want immigrants to have every opportunity to use their previous education, skills, and experience here in their new home and this framework will help them do that.”
Other stakeholders will also benefit from this framework. Regulatory authorities will have increased opportunities to collaborate and share information across the country, and support to fairly and accurately assess the qualifications of immigrants so that they can be certified to work in regulated occupations. B.C. employers will also have support for recruiting and retaining immigrants in their workplaces.
In 2009-2010, the B.C. Government invested $4.7 million in initiatives to support improved foreign qualifications recognition in the province. Successes to date have included supports for B.C. regulatory authorities to strengthen their practices for assessing, recognizing and certifying internationally-trained applicants in the regulated occupations, the development of tools and resources to support B.C. employers, working with partners in the health sector to connect immigrants and employers, and pilot programs that provide workplace-focused language training for immigrants.
In addition, B.C. has assisted more than 5,500 immigrants connect to employment through the BC Skills Connect for Immigrants Program, recently investing $12 million in 2009-10 for continued delivery of the program.
Through this new framework, B.C. will build on the progress it has made, while also seeking out opportunities to initiate new collaborative relationships, make improvements to the foreign qualifications recognition practices, and bring about visible changes that will be sustainable into the future.
The Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications will be posted online at www.WelcomeBC.ca.
WORKBC WEB CENTRE OPENS FOR EMPLOYERS, JOB SEEKERS
VICTORIA – A new, comprehensive on-line service will benefit British Columbians seeking career and skills development information, employers looking to improve labour productivity, and skills training service providers interested in emerging best practices, announced Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development Moira Stilwell.
“The new WorkBC web centre brings together a wide range of resources, giving job seekers, employers and trainers easy access to the information and tools they need,” said Stilwell. “It supports our government’s goal to ensure we have the skilled workers we need for a successful future.”
The WorkBC.ca site provides an expanded source of information to meet the needs of each of the core users of labour market information. The five sections – career pathways, job seekers, employers, service providers and labour market statistics – guide users to relevant tools, facts and statistics, presenting case studies and success stories to outline how particular information or services can help.
Developed in co-operation with key user groups, the new web service has relevant information like regional labour force numbers, wages and salaries or occupation forecasts grouped according to each groups’ unique labour market information needs. As users move through the site, they can also use social media tools embedded on each page to easily bookmark and share content.
The new website was developed in part with support through the Canada-B.C. Labour Market Agreement, and helps government meet labour market objectives, ensuring B.C. has the people and skills needed to meet our present and future labour market needs. Other features and services will be added over the coming months as the site continues to evolve.
Under the Labour Market Agreement, the Government of Canada is providing the Province approximately $66 million annually until 2013-14. Through a variety of programs, these funds will increase training for employed individuals who are low-skilled and require essential skills, or who require recognized credentials to reach their full potential in the current marketplace. They will also help increase access to training for unemployed individuals who are not currently Employment Insurance (EI) clients, including but not limited to those who are underrepresented in the labour market.
For more information, please go to www.workbc.ca.
“The new WorkBC web centre brings together a wide range of resources, giving job seekers, employers and trainers easy access to the information and tools they need,” said Stilwell. “It supports our government’s goal to ensure we have the skilled workers we need for a successful future.”
The WorkBC.ca site provides an expanded source of information to meet the needs of each of the core users of labour market information. The five sections – career pathways, job seekers, employers, service providers and labour market statistics – guide users to relevant tools, facts and statistics, presenting case studies and success stories to outline how particular information or services can help.
The site will assist the core user groups in the following ways:
- Students can review career options, see what training, education and qualifications are required, and also look at future demand within their chosen path.
- Employers will find information on hiring and retaining workers, including resources on training, skills development, sources of labour and tips on performance management.
- Job seekers can review employment finding strategies, see what credentials are required for various occupations, and find links to skills upgrading programs and services.
- Career planning professionals can access up-to-date labour market information tracking current and forecast demand for specific job skills, tap into sector-specific resources, such as engineering, resource and agricultural occupation profiles and tools, and access evaluation tools used to help identify specific training needs for their clients.
Developed in co-operation with key user groups, the new web service has relevant information like regional labour force numbers, wages and salaries or occupation forecasts grouped according to each groups’ unique labour market information needs. As users move through the site, they can also use social media tools embedded on each page to easily bookmark and share content.
The new website was developed in part with support through the Canada-B.C. Labour Market Agreement, and helps government meet labour market objectives, ensuring B.C. has the people and skills needed to meet our present and future labour market needs. Other features and services will be added over the coming months as the site continues to evolve.
Under the Labour Market Agreement, the Government of Canada is providing the Province approximately $66 million annually until 2013-14. Through a variety of programs, these funds will increase training for employed individuals who are low-skilled and require essential skills, or who require recognized credentials to reach their full potential in the current marketplace. They will also help increase access to training for unemployed individuals who are not currently Employment Insurance (EI) clients, including but not limited to those who are underrepresented in the labour market.
For more information, please go to www.workbc.ca.
FREE ONLINE COURSES FOR ADULT IMMIGRANTS AND CANADIAN CITIZENS
VLN provides:
VLN could be for you!
- Flexible learning programs to suit your schedule, at home, from a distance, and at your own pace
- A multimedia course delivery including online, print and blended options.
VLN could be for you!
- Register full time, or take only a few courses while you are attending your high school.
- High school grads can upgrade courses or fulfill university and college requirements.
- Busy, working adults can complete high school graduation requirements
- We accommodate students who cannot attend school due to medical conditions.
Adult Programs
We have courses and programs to meet the needs of our adult students looking to upgrade or complete their high school graduation. Adults ,19 years of age and older, can register to be a part-time or full-time student.
We have programs for the Graduated Adult interested in upgrading their grades/marks or taking courses to fulfill post-secondary institutions.
We have courses and programs to meet the needs of the non-graduated adult to meet graduation requirements.
We also have the Adult Dogwood program for adults just looking to complete a high school diploma. Ensure you meet the requirements for post secondary requirements.
Graduated Adult
Courses same as secondary courses vailable (See our course finder)
NO tuition but need to pay deposits
See Graduation requirements 1995 (52 credits), or refer to DE Guidebook
Pre-requisite for taking courses
Non-Graduated Adult
See Graduation requirements 1995 (52 credits)
Important note - Section on Notes: re:Grades 11 & 12 (Graduation Program 1995) - #3 is very important for Non-Graduated Adult
No tuition - but need to PAY for deposits
Adult Dogwood
Adult completion program (20 credits)
See Adult Education/Dogwood Program - Requirements, or refer to our DE Guidebook.
Important note to Adult Grads re: Item #4 - needs to add the following:
Add to #4 - NOTES: Post secondary institutions may require Provincial Exams to be written,
Extra courses may be required to fulfill Post-Secondary requirements
It is strongly advised to make an appointment with the Adult counsellor to ensure all requirements are met for Post Secondary institutions
Please visit the VLN website for more information: http://vln.vsb.bc.ca/
IMMIGRANT YOUTH TO BENEFIT FROM NEW $1.7M PILOT PROGRAM
VICTORIA – A $1.7-million pilot project will help vulnerable immigrant and refugee youth adjust and succeed in their school life, their community and eventually the workplace, announced Moira Stilwell, Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development.
“The Immigrant Youth in Schools Pilot program will provide at-risk immigrant and refugee youth with the relevant skills, enhanced settlement support and educational approaches to ensure they have a positive educational experience,” said Stilwell. “Our government knows the important role immigrants and refugees play in our province and how important it is they feel supported in their new home and in their new schools.”
Eleven school districts will each design a 20-month pilot for in-school support services, like individualized counselling and training courses to help students overcome learning and school adjustment issues and develop connections to their school and their community. The pilot targets vulnerable groups such as older immigrant students arriving with limited English language or formal education, students who have significant social and communication barriers, and students who are struggling with mental and emotional issues as a result of traumatic experiences before arriving in Canada.
School districts delivering the program include Abbotsford, Burnaby, Richmond, Delta, Victoria, Surrey, Vancouver, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Peace River North and Nanaimo-Ladysmith. The districts will provide specialized services for these immigrant and refugee students. The pilot began Jan. 1, 2010.
The pilot will complement the Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) program. Under the SWIS program, settlement workers help immigrant and refugee children adjust to school culture. The workers also increase parent involvement in their children’s education, while helping to build awareness of community and government resources. The SWIS program started in 2007 and has expanded to 21 school districts across B.C. The Immigrant Youth in Schools Pilot program addresses the needs of a specific group of immigrant youth in Grades 8 to 12 who are at risk of dropping out or not achieving their full potential.
“The Immigrant Youth in Schools Pilot program will help vulnerable immigrant youth achieve their best in their new schools and in their new home in B.C.,” said Margaret MacDiarmid, Minister of Education. “We have a goal of making B.C. the best-educated, most-literate jurisdiction in North America, and programs like this one will help us reach it.”
“The Government of Canada is committed to helping newcomers succeed,” said Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. “Young people who are new to this country face their own unique challenges. With this funding, young newcomers to British Columbia will have access to improved services in their schools that will ease their transition to life in Canada and strengthen the community as a whole.”
Government funding is provided by the Government of Canada through the Agreement for Canada-British Columbia Co-Operation on Immigration.
The Province administers the Settlement Workers in Schools program through WelcomeBC, which supports immigrants and their families in succeeding both economically and socially. WelcomeBC is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia and helps immigrants in B.C. access services under one umbrella to assist them in better adapting to life in their new communities and builds on the province’s history of welcoming newcomers and creating inclusive communities.
More information can be found at www.WelcomeBC.ca.
“The Immigrant Youth in Schools Pilot program will provide at-risk immigrant and refugee youth with the relevant skills, enhanced settlement support and educational approaches to ensure they have a positive educational experience,” said Stilwell. “Our government knows the important role immigrants and refugees play in our province and how important it is they feel supported in their new home and in their new schools.”
Eleven school districts will each design a 20-month pilot for in-school support services, like individualized counselling and training courses to help students overcome learning and school adjustment issues and develop connections to their school and their community. The pilot targets vulnerable groups such as older immigrant students arriving with limited English language or formal education, students who have significant social and communication barriers, and students who are struggling with mental and emotional issues as a result of traumatic experiences before arriving in Canada.
School districts delivering the program include Abbotsford, Burnaby, Richmond, Delta, Victoria, Surrey, Vancouver, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Peace River North and Nanaimo-Ladysmith. The districts will provide specialized services for these immigrant and refugee students. The pilot began Jan. 1, 2010.
The pilot will complement the Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) program. Under the SWIS program, settlement workers help immigrant and refugee children adjust to school culture. The workers also increase parent involvement in their children’s education, while helping to build awareness of community and government resources. The SWIS program started in 2007 and has expanded to 21 school districts across B.C. The Immigrant Youth in Schools Pilot program addresses the needs of a specific group of immigrant youth in Grades 8 to 12 who are at risk of dropping out or not achieving their full potential.
“The Immigrant Youth in Schools Pilot program will help vulnerable immigrant youth achieve their best in their new schools and in their new home in B.C.,” said Margaret MacDiarmid, Minister of Education. “We have a goal of making B.C. the best-educated, most-literate jurisdiction in North America, and programs like this one will help us reach it.”
“The Government of Canada is committed to helping newcomers succeed,” said Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. “Young people who are new to this country face their own unique challenges. With this funding, young newcomers to British Columbia will have access to improved services in their schools that will ease their transition to life in Canada and strengthen the community as a whole.”
Government funding is provided by the Government of Canada through the Agreement for Canada-British Columbia Co-Operation on Immigration.
The Province administers the Settlement Workers in Schools program through WelcomeBC, which supports immigrants and their families in succeeding both economically and socially. WelcomeBC is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia and helps immigrants in B.C. access services under one umbrella to assist them in better adapting to life in their new communities and builds on the province’s history of welcoming newcomers and creating inclusive communities.
More information can be found at www.WelcomeBC.ca.
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