Skilled newcomers in Ottawa are getting training to help them get jobs in their chosen fields through Ontario’s bridge training programs.
The province is investing $917,228 in the Catholic Immigration Centre’s Employment Access for Internationally Trained Legal Professionals Program, which will help give newcomers in Ottawa the skills and opportunities they need to find meaningful employment.
This program joins a growing list of bridge training programs offered to skilled newcomers in Ontario. When combined, these programs will benefit close to 5,000 newcomers province-wide.
Since 2003 the province has funded the creation of over 180 bridge training programs designed to help newcomers become job ready. These programs not only help internationally trained professionals get licensed in their field, but they help them get jobs.
Support for these programs is part of the government's plan to strengthen the economy by investing in the skills and knowledge of Ontarians.
QUOTES
“This program will provide essential mentorship and volunteer opportunities to help foreign trained lawyers gain work experience while making important connections to find employment in Ottawa. Ensuring that our newcomers are given an opportunity to use their skills and contribute to their field of study is essential to the continued growth and prosperity of our economy.”
- Yasir Naqvi, MPP Ottawa Centre
“Investments in bridge training for newcomers today help Ontario respond to a growing demand for skilled labour and positions our economy to be competitive on a global scale.”
- Michael Chan, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
“This investment will allow us to expand our successful Internationally Trained Professionals Program and ultimately serve more people. Our community is lucky to have an abundance of foreign expertise. This program will allow us to tap into this resource and match existing skills with employment opportunities, ensuring that newcomers are achieving their potential and employers have access to skilled workers.”
- Carl Nicholson, Executive Director of the Catholic Immigration Centre
QUICK FACTS
Since 2003, bridge training programs have helped over 30,000 newcomers get the training they need to get a job in their field.
About 70 per cent of Ontario’s adult newcomers have post-secondary education or training.
LEARN MORE
Find a complete list of Ontario’s bridge training programs.
About working in Ontario.