Due to historically the labor shortage, Canada targets healthcare accreditation. Canada’s immigration minister Sean Fraser issued a request for a proposal to employ internationally educated healthcare Professionals in its healthcare system. This announcement was made on December 5th, 2022.
Moreover, Minister Fraser announced today that a request for proposal for projects was being issued on behalf of the honorable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Disability Inclusion. Its aim of facilitating the acquisition of knowledge, expertise, and credentials necessary for IEHPs to maximize their potential.
Governments and organizations can apply for funding through the FCRP – (Foreign Credential Recognition Program). Canada’s foreign credentials are recognized under this federal program. Under the program, the minister committed $90 million to selected projects.
It is necessary for a project to be able to:
- Foreign credentials can more easily be recognized by IEHPs if recognition procedures are improved, stages are shortened, and field practice is expanded.
- As well as providing relevant Canadian work experience, IEHPs can receive support services such as childcare and travel expenses, mentorship, and coaching.
- IEHPs and health care professionals should be able to move more easily throughout Canadian jurisdictions, reducing the structural and administrative obstacles that stand in the way of their employment.
The project must also meet the following requirements:
- Streamline regulatory procedures and/or harmonize occupational standards as a means of promoting worldwide credential recognition and/or interprovincial labor mobility.
- Mentorship, job placement, and pay subsidies can be offered to IEHPs to assist their integration into the Canadian labor market.
Submissions must be received in full by January 30, 2023. Up to $10 million can be awarded to successful projects.
What is the purpose of Canada to targets healthcare accreditation?
A number of sectors in Canada, including temporary agriculture, retail, tourism, and (most urgently) health care, are experiencing labor shortages.
Minister Fraser mentioned in his speech that 47% of skilled immigrants with backgrounds in health fields were unemployed. Or they are working part-time in fields that needed just a high school diploma. Furthermore, the Canadian government has already made it possible for healthcare workers to obtain permanent residency. In response to government changes. It was announced earlier this year that doctors on temporary visas in Canada can qualify for economic immigration, despite being technically self-employed.
The proportion of foreign-degreed immigrants holding overqualified jobs was twice as high as that of their Canadian counterparts. Also, for Canada’s labor shortages to be alleviated and to utilize overseas-trained talent. It is already present in the country. As well as a revision of the country’s credentialing system is necessary.
As more and more employers identify a skills gap in their workforces. The government may continue to consider innovative certification practices for other industries despite this study’s current focus on healthcare professionals.
