April 27, 2006

Advanced Education and Training Minister Diane McGifford and Labour and Immigration Minister Nancy Allan today signed memoranda of agreement with Manitoba’s universities and colleges to extend the program allowing international students to work off campus in Manitoba.

The program allows international post-secondary students to obtain off-campus work permits, replacing the previous restriction of employment to the campus they were attending. The Off-Campus Work Permit Program for International Students was launched in partnership with Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Manitoba Advanced Education and Training and Manitoba Labour and Immigration in 2003.

"We are pleased to see that our pioneering work with the federal government and our public universities and colleges has proven successful," said McGifford. "With two-thirds of eligible international students opting to take advantage of the ability to work off-campus, it is clear this program fills a critical need for students, employers and our educational institutions."

"As Manitoba looks to increase the number of skilled immigrants, we know that international students are one of the most important sources of vibrant and energetic new talent," said Allan. "Providing these students with the opportunity get work experience in Manitoba provides many of them a key advantage whether they return to their own country or consider making Manitoba their new home."

To be eligible for the program, international students must complete six months of full-time study at a public post-secondary institution. To remain eligible, they must maintain their full-time student status, sustain satisfactory academic standing and work no more than 20 hours a week during regular classes.

Participating institutions are Brandon University, Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface, University of Winnipeg, University of Manitoba, Red River College and Assiniboine Community College.

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