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Successes & Challenges of Alternative Routes to Licensure - A Bridging Perspective

Jan Sheppard Kutcher Consultant, International Labour Mobility. Successes & Challenges of Alternative Routes to Licensure - A Bridging Perspective . Order of presentation. ISIS: leading the way Lessons learned from the field An alternative approach to bridging programs

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Successes & Challenges of Alternative Routes to Licensure - A Bridging Perspective

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  1. Jan Sheppard Kutcher Consultant, International Labour Mobility Successes & Challenges of Alternative Routes to Licensure - A Bridging Perspective

  2. Order of presentation • ISIS: leading the way • Lessons learned from the field • An alternative approach to bridging programs • Focus on engineering – from competency assessment to bridging • Other bridging initiatives • A model for collaboration and partnership • Moving forward

  3. Background • ISIS is a leading community organization that welcomes immigrants to Nova Scotia • Provide services & programs to help immigrants participate fully in Canadian life • www.isisns.ca

  4. Lessons learned from the field • Finding meaningful work is essential to effective settlement • Helping clients with resume & interviews is important but insufficient • Our work had to include changing the system • Need to understand occupation-specific barriers and challenges • Partnerships & collaboration are crucial

  5. Two models evolved Multi-stakeholder Work Groups: A collaborative approach to making change in regulated occupations Work in Nova Scotia (WINS): An alternative approach to bridging programs

  6. A race against time: ISIS’ alternative approach to bridging programs • Not one program for a group run by an educational institution • On size doesn’t fit all – our approach includes individual action plans, customized, menu of options • Start as early as possible – ie. pre arrival • Assist with navigating the pathway(s) to licensure • Workforce integration in field is a primary goal; licensure can often follow

  7. A race against time: ISIS’ alternative approach to bridging programs • Programs to address specific gaps & needs • Components could include: orientation, observerships, communications, workforce training, preparation for exams & skills assessment, resources, mentorship, workforce contact programs, financial supports, ongoing counselling • Competency assessment – whenever possible in worksite setting • Work collaboratively from the outset

  8. An example of how this works:ENGINEERING • Engineering is one of the largest occupations amongst immigrants to the province • P.Eng is the aim but workforce integration is possible before full licensure • Long standing relationship with Engineers Nova Scotia (ENS)

  9. Internationally Educated Engineers Multi-stakeholder Work Group • Formed in 2005 under leadership of ISIS & ENS to address challenges of international qualifications recognition • Includes employers, educational institutions, government, internationally educated engineers • Discuss key issues, make sustainable changes • Incubate & develop innovative partnership programs

  10. We took this idea to the Work Group • ISIS had a well-established Work Placement Program • Could engineering worksites be settings for competency assessment? • Could we transform the observed informal assessment into a more rigorous, competency based process? • What competencies could we use? • How/Who could develop a tool? • If we built it, would they come? • Would a worksite based competency assessment help IEEs & employers?

  11. Program took shape • Employers were on board • Internationally educated engineers were ready • Engineers Nova Scotia offered to provide support through in-kind project management • Engineers Canada had developed and were starting to pilot professional competencies • Provincial government funding secured

  12. Program overview • A local engineering firm employs an Internationally Educated Engineer (IEE) for three months. • The IEE demonstrates & documents their skills and competencies. • IEEs are assessed by their supervisor throughout and at the end of three months.

  13. Outcomes • 20 internationally educated engineers have completed the competency assessment work placement to date • 14 are working in engineering field • “Performance against Competency” document becomes part of application for licensure • Gardner Pinfold evaluation report, March 31, 2013 • A broad based bridging program for IEEs launched • Additional gap training: eg. Writing Effective Experience Records, Professional Practice exam prep, Economics for Engineers study group; integration of Mentors & English in the Workplace

  14. Other bridging initiatives Medicine Pharmacy Orientation to Canadian healthcare system Onsite observership program Study groups & resources Communications Skills Lab – pharmacy cases, simulated patients, Canadian licensed pharmacists • Pathway s to licensure • English for Healthcare Professionals • Online orientation to Canadian Medical Practice • Observerships in Family Medicine • Study groups & resources • Clinical skills review – medical cases, simulated patients, Canadian licensed physicians volunteer

  15. BRIDGE TO CONSTRUCTION

  16. Other bridging initiatives Bridge to Construction Dentistry Professions Study groups to prepare for examination of fundamental knowledge Orientation to Canadian Dental Practice Hand’s on Practice Program – preparation for clinical skills assessment; highly collaborative • Designed for refugee clients with very basic language levels • Integrated program tailored to needs – language supports in class & onsite, safety training, equipment, job placement • Employers, unions & sector council - integral partners

  17. Multi-stakeholder Work Groups • To develop effective & innovative bridging solutions requires all key players and perspectives at the table • Occupation-specific • Collaborative • Action agenda & an advisory role • Learning, trust and synergy

  18. Multi-stakeholder Work Groups • Regulatory bodies • Professional associations • Educational institutions • Employers • Industry organizations • Unions • Immigrant settlement services • Internationally educated professionals • Government departments • Sector Councils

  19. Multi-stakeholder Work Groups • Provide information network & forum for discussion • Review and confirm pathway(s) to licensure • Identify barriers, gaps & significant issues • Make systemic and process changes • Support Fair Registration Practices Act • Incubate & develop partnership programs • Act as advisory group

  20. Active work groups • Internationally Educated Engineers • International Pharmacy Graduates • Internationally Educated Nurses • Internationally Educated Med Lab Technologists • Internationally Trained Lawyers • Internationally Trained Construction Electricians • Internationally Educated Dental Professionals

  21. Moving forward • Cross pollination of ideas across occupations • Always aim to begin pre-arrival & extend reach • Continue strong efforts to engage employers • Use the tools of PLA/RPL for international qualifications assessment • Integrate provincial efforts with regional & Pan-Canadian initiatives • Explore alternative careers at the Multi-stakeholder tables

  22. Jan Sheppard Kutcher Consultant, International Labour Mobility kutcheja@gov.ns.ca 902-424-4637 Questions?

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