QUEEN’S PARK – The Government of Ontario has received an award for its leadership in breaking down barriers for internationally trained individuals through its Ontario Public Service Internship Program for Internationally Trained Individuals, Minister Mike Colle announced today.
                                                              
“I’m pleased to accept this award on behalf of the Government of Ontario from Career Edge Organization,” Colle said. “Through our internship program, we are leading by example to help newcomers put their skills and global experience to use in the work place.”  

The Ontario Public Service Internship Program for Internationally Trained Individuals places qualified newcomers in six month paid assignments in the Ontario Public Service. To qualify for the program, candidates must have a minimum of three years’ international work experience and be eligible to work in Canada.

Since the fall of 2006, 72 internationally trained individuals have been placed in fields such as finance, chemistry, environmental and health studies and business administration. Four have found employment before the completion of their internship.

“During our 10-year history at Career Edge Organization, we have worked closely with more than 1,000 host organizations to provide valuable business experience for more than 7,000 interns to help launch their careers.  We are very proud to work with the Government of Ontario and, in particular the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, to provide opportunities for newcomers,” said Colleen Fleming, President & CEO, Career Edge Organization.

“Our government wants to encourage employers to tap into the talents of newcomers,” Colle said “Newcomers have the global experience Ontario employers need to compete and win in a global economy.”

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS

Ontario’s comprehensive plan to help newcomers includes initiatives such as:

• Negotiated the first-ever Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement, which increases federal spending on language training and settlement services by $920 million over five years to front-line service providers in Ontario.

• Bill 124, the Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act 2006, was passed in December. The Act will ensure a fair, open and transparent process for obtaining registration and licensing in regulated professions for internationally trained individuals

• Created Global Experience Ontario, an Access and Resource Centre for the Internationally Trained.

• More than doubling the investment to $53 million in IMGs (international medical graduates) this year – up from $16 million in 2003. An additional 750 foreign trained doctors are practicing in the province with another 470 enrolled in training and assessment.

• Since 2003, invested a total of $53 million in over 90 innovative bridge training projects assessing skills, providing training and work experience.

• Supported a Foreign Trained Professionals Loans Program providing up to $5,000 per person to cover assessment, training and exam costs.

• Launched an immigration web portal, www.OntarioImmigration.ca, to support newcomers both in Ontario and abroad, prior to arrival.

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Contacts:
Rick Byun, Minister’s Office, (416) 325-3460
Michel Payen-Dumont, Communications Branch, (416) 314-7010