FRANCAIS

March 17, 2006

New funding support of $360,000 for an initiative to help internationally-educated engineers meet Canadian accreditation standards was announced today by Labour and Immigration Minister Nancy Allan.

"A key component of any successful immigration strategy is effectively assessing and recognizing or upgrading the educational and professional credentials of newcomers," said Allan. "We are sending a very positive message to potential immigrants that Manitoba welcomes them and their skills."

The 12-month Internationally Educated Engineers Qualification program is delivered at the University of Manitoba’s faculty of engineering with the support of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists. The program features an academic component and a paid, work-experience placement with an employer in the participant’s engineering discipline. Successful completion of the program means the participant’s combined engineering education is recognized as equivalent to Canadian education standards. The one-year program is designed to shorten the typical three-year period a foreign-educated engineer would take to meet Canadian standards.

"The Manitoba government has worked with industry and post-secondary institutions to ensure foreign-educated engineers can obtain full credentials and have their skills recognized more quickly," said Advanced Education and Training Minister Diane McGifford. "These individuals are helping the province meet labour market demands and are contributing to Manitoba’s growing economy."

Since the program started in 2003, 15 internationally-educated engineers have successfully completed the program requirements resulting in 14 becoming employed in the engineering field and one entering into graduated studies. Another 13 participants are expected to graduate in 2006. The target enrolment for the program for the next three years is 12 participants per year for a total of 36.

"This is what our immigration programs are all about," said Allan. "Manitoba is not just interested in raising overall immigration levels. Our immigration program is about people, their skills, insights and abilities and how we can help them succeed and be part of building a prosperous Manitoba."

The funding is being provided in equal instalments over the three-year term of the program from the Manitoba Opportunities Fund and through the Council on Post-Secondary Education to the University of Manitoba. Funding is also provided through the Manitoba Immigrant Investor program and the federal Foreign Credential Recognition program in the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

"The Internationally Educated Engineers Qualification program is one of many initiatives Manitoba is implementing to facilitate the transition for immigrants and their professional skills into the workplace," said Allan. "Manitoba’s strategy is working and immigrants are finding employment related to their skills and previous experience in fields such as pharmacy, accounting and banking to name but a few."

Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program accounted for 57 per cent of all immigrants to the province with 4,600 skilled worker and business nominee arrivals in 2005. The total number of landings in 2005 reached 8,089, more than double the number of arrivals in 1999.

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