BC invests in foreign credential recognition

Gov of BC release – 17 B.C. regulatory bodies will receive funding to improve their organization’s foreign credential assessment and licensing practices, announced Economic Development Minister Colin Hansen today.

“We are reducing the barriers to employment that skilled workers and professionals trained outside B.C. are facing,” said Hansen. “We want the process for reviewing credentials to be clear, consistent and timely.”

In June 2007, the Ministry of Economic Development hosted a workshop with B.C. regulatory authorities and other government representatives to identify solutions to improve credential assessment of internationally trained professionals so they can continue their careers in B.C.

As a follow-up to the workshop, the ministry sent a request for proposals to the provincial regulators. Funding criteria was focused on improving inter-provincial and foreign credential recognition and licensing processes, and project funding was limited to $50,000 for each organization.

Examples of the kinds of programs that are being funded include:

• Translation of regulators’ websites to ensure that clear and user-friendly information on the registration process is available to all applicants;
• Online application and self-assessment tools to streamline and reduce timelines for the registration process, and
• Adoption of competency-based assessment tools and programs to ensure consistent assessment.

The funding is a portion of the Foreign Credential Recognition funding provided by Human Resources and Social Development Canada. Improvements to the province’s foreign credential assessment system are one of the priorities identified in the province’s WorkBC action plan to address skills shortages in B.C. To find out more about WorkBC, go to www.WorkBC.ca

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BACKGROUNDER

The following 17 B.C. regulatory bodies will receive funding to improve their organization’s foreign credential assessment and licensing practices. All B.C. regulators were invited to submit a proposal to fill gaps and needs within their organization. The maximum funding per proposal is $50,000 and the total amount of funds allocated is $500,000.

• British Columbia College of Teachers $31,555
• College of Dietitians of British Columbia $33,000
• College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of BC $42,900
• College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia $17,170
• Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia $25,000
• The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia $50,000
• The Association of British Columbia Land Surveyors $24,400
• Board of Examiners in Optometry in BC $16,600
• Architectural Institute of British Columbia $7,500
• College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia $40,000
• College of Applied Biology British Columbia $5,655
• British Columbia Society of Landscape Architects $25,450
• College of Midwives of British Columbia $17,880
• College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia $50,000
• The Board of Registration for Social Workers in British Columbia $9,510
• College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia $50,000
• British Columbia Veterinary Medical Association $50,000

TOTAL: $496,620
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