New Foreign Credential Recognition Loan Program launches in Alberta and Saskatchewan

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario - Aug. 29, 2019 - PRLog -- The Government of Canada recently granted funding to The Centre for Education and Training (TCET) to coordinate a new foreign credential recognition loan program for newcomers in Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Career Loans is a free virtual project that provides one-on-one career counselling and micro loans up to $15,000 to Internationally Trained Individuals (ITIs), in regulated or non-regulated occupations and trades, looking to return to their chosen profession. These micro loans will be used towards foreign credential assessment and recognition, bridge training, courses, exams, and other associated costs. Approximately 1500 ITIs will benefit from the project. Eligible applicants must be either a permanent resident, a Canadian citizen, or a convention refugee, who has been in Canada for less than ten years.

Career Loans, TCET's new Virtual Accelerating Career Advancement project, will be based on an existing Ontario model that provides in-person supports for newcomers to improve their success in getting their credentials recognized and finding a job. The same services and supports will be offered through a virtual and interactive environment using technology to newcomers in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

"When newcomers' foreign credentials are recognized, they can join the Canadian workforce faster, and participate in growing our economy and strengthening the middle class. Through the Foreign Credential Recognition Program, we are giving more newcomers a fair chance at success in Canada."
The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

"Our program is designed to help those newcomers who encounter barriers in getting their international credentials assessed and recognized, and who might have been declined for traditional bank loans."
Sonja Johnson, Project Manager of Career Loans

Career Loans empowers ITIs in Alberta and Saskatchewan to achieve their career goals, by providing free one-on-one career counselling and low-interest micro loans to eligible applicants virtually. The program helps newcomers who encounter barriers in having their credentials recognized, or face challenges in securing funding, to get re-certified to work in their fields.

The Centre for Education and Training (TCET), based in Ontario, has been a community leader in providing award-winning employment, settlement, and language services for over 30 years. TCET was incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in 1996 under the legal name Quality Continuous Improvement Centre for Community Education and Training.

Through Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), the Government of Canada works to improve the standard of living and quality of life for all Canadians by promoting a labour force that is highly skilled. Their mission is to build a stronger and more inclusive Canada, to support Canadians in helping them live productive and rewarding lives and improving Canadians' quality of life.

Link: http://careerloans.ca