Worker to get up to $23,000 in financial assistance toward assessment and training costs
Manitoba is taking another step to support internationally trained professionals (IEPs) who are looking to work in the province.
The government has launched a Manitoba Careers for Internationally Educated Professionals Program to help reduce financial barriers associated with foreign qualification recognition.
“According to Manitoba’s 2022-26 Labour Market Outlook, nearly two in seven job openings in the province’s self-regulated professions are expected to go unfilled. At the same time, research shows that internationally educated immigrants are far less likely to work in their field of study than those educated in Canada” says Jeff Wharton, minister of economic development, investment and trade.
“I am pleased to announce the launch of this new program to support the labour market integration of skilled newcomers in Manitoba.”
Under the new program, eligible internationally educated professionals will get up to $23,000 in financial assistance toward assessment and training costs associated with registering in one of Manitoba’s 28 non-nursing self-regulated professions.
Previously, Manitoba announced changes to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) General Regulation, so that internationally educated physicians in specific membership classes will no longer be required to pass the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exam Part 1 (MCCQE1) before registering and practising in Manitoba.
Who’s qualified?
The new program out of Manitoba covers professionals who have already started the registration process and have an assessment decision letter from their profession’s regulatory body.
The program will support professionals who are able to complete the registration process in a timely manner and intend to work in Manitoba after registration, notes Wharton.
Judith Hayes, executive director of Manitoba Start – which provides career development services for newcomers to the province – has positive words about the new program.
“Manitoba Start works in tandem with the Manitoba government by supporting internationally trained workers to develop career plans and find stepping-stone jobs in their area of expertise. We also help foreign-trained professionals work through the credential recognition process,” says Hayes. “This funding will increase opportunities for newcomers to more quickly apply their skills to enter the Manitoba labour market.”
The new Manitoba Careers for Internationally Educated Professionals Program is modelled on the successful Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) in Manitoba Project, which launched in 2021 to support eligible IENs with financial assistance to pursue registration. To date, that initiative has provided support to over 250 IENs, according to the provincial government.
IENS looking to practice in Canada will benefit from faster processing, thanks to a new expedited credentialing service from the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS).
Earlier this year, Manitoba set aside $123 million to boost its healthcare capacities and help out workers who have been struggling with their workload. The investment will be used in nine initiatives to retain, recruit and support nurses.
