Immigration.ca - Canada Immigration News - November 2009
A new program in Windsor, Ontario is helping foreign-trained professionals earn their certification to work in Canada.
The 65-week program, jointly funded by the provincial and federal governments, is offered through the Odette School of Business at the University of Waterloo. It began with 25 students in the trial, but now that the program has received official approval and funding, the number will jump to approximately 65 for the next term.
To be eligible for the program, students must hold international degrees and work experience in accounting, economics or finance. Possible courses include English language improvement, computer skills and university-level business classes. At the end, students may write exams to earn their certification.
“I came to Canada to seek a better life and without this program, it wouldn’t have been possible,” said Adriana Almeiva Vidal, who was among the program’s earliest group of graduates in accounting. Despite holding a degree as well as five years’ accounting experience, Vidal was unable to find employment before completing this program and earning certification.
The government of Ontario hopes that this program will help other immigrants to the province as it did for Vidal.
“This program will help newcomers to succeed in their chosen field,” said Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Michael Chan. “They travel thousands of miles, they are highly skilled and talented and we are here to help. If we are to prosper as a province and as a nation, we cannot keep talented people on the sidelines.”
Source: Windsor Star
