George Brown College

1. George Brown College Immigrant Education Department International and Immigrant Education

2. International and Immigrant Education New to Canada? What’s on your mind?

3. College Entry Advising A free, one-on-one, comprehensive service with the fundamental aim of assisting clients through guidance to achieve their educational goals What are the services offered? • Guidance • Referrals • Information provision

4. College Advising: Where can I find Advising? We are open on weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm and have two locations to serve our clients St. James CampusCasa Loma Campus 200 King Street East, Toronto 160 Kendal Avenue, Toronto Rm. 267D Rm. C408, C409 By phone: 416.415.5000 ext. 2949 By e-mail: collegeadvisor@georgebrown.ca Pre-booked appointments are strongly recommended.

5. But there are BARRIERS… Education: International qualifications  Canadian employers not that clued in to degrees from overseas… Experience: Too little ‘Canadian’ experience or too much experience overall… Language: Especially if English is not my first language… Job Search process: Often different than how one goes about it in my home country… Networking: Not used to it  Often new things to do  Cold Calls / Information interviews / Networking events …

6. How do I overcome these barriers? • Canadian style resume • Online job search • Cold calls • Information interviews • Volunteering • Language classes • Networking: Online and in person • Bridging Programs? • Workplace Communication Courses?

7. What is a Bridging Program? • A bridging program allows you to make use of your education and work experience acquired abroad to enter rewarding fields in the workforce in Canada • Features • Builds on prior education • Builds on prior experience • Job placement  Canadian experience • Career services to help you find a job

8. Bridging Programs Bridging Programs Employment Canadian experience Barriers we Face Canadian credentials Career services

9. GBC Bridging Programs for Internationally Educated Professionals

10. International and Immigrant Education Career and Work Counsellor Program for ITI’s Students in this program are exposed to both individual and group career counselling theory and practice. Four months of specialized English language instruction and a job placement allow students to gain Canadian experience. Program Length: 16 months (4 semesters) Internship: 18 weeksStarting: September

11. International and Immigrant Education College Teacher Training Program for ITI’s This program provides internationally trained teachers with the language skills, training, and Canadian experience to enable them to secure a teaching position at a community college Program Length: 33 weeks (2 semesters) Internship: 42 hourStarting: September

12. International and Immigrant Education Construction Management Program for ITI’s This program provides applied education for management positions in all construction settings, including an enhanced workplace experience component to help students make a quick transition to employment Program Length: 12 months (3 semesters) Internship: 3-4 months (3rd semester)Starting: January

13. International and Immigrant Education Early Childhood Educator Bridging Program This program provides eligible applicants with the upgrading and experience to be recognized to work in Ontario as an Early Childhood Educator Program start/length: Ongoing Website: www.aeceo.ca

14. International and Immigrant Education Research Commercialization and Innovation Graduate Certificate Students are internationally trained individuals with Masters- or Doctorate-level qualifications, seeking to bring innovations to market through applied research and commercialization activities. Hands-on experience working on real projects with industry partners, job counselling, mentoring and networking. In class/lab learning – 42 weeks over three semesters. Program Length: 12 months (3 semesters)Starting: September

15. International and Immigrant Education Post-Graduate Certificate Programs Post-Graduate Certificates are short term 2 or 3 semester programs, with or without co-op, that are built on previous post-secondary study Some examples of Post-Graduate programs include: • Autism and Behavioural Science - C405 (Full-time) • Financial Planning - B407 (Full-time) • Human Resources Management - B408 (Full-time) • Information Systems Business Analyst - T405 (Full-time) • Health Informatics - T402 (Full-time) • Wireless Networking - T411 (Full-time) • Health Informatics - T402 (Full-time) • Dental Assistant Level II Upgrade (Part-time) • Academic Pathway for Nurses (Part-time)

16. International and Immigrant Education Language Requirements for AdmissionTOEFL – 550 for Diploma and Certificate/ post-graduate programsIELTS (ACADEMIC) 6.0George Brown Intensive ESL – level 8 (7 for bridging)Grade 12 C or UorMature student testing (pre-admission testing)(Test scores are valid for two years. Requirements may vary subject to ranking)If you did a grade 12 level English credit in a country where English is not the common language of that country, you are subject to pre-admission testing or one of the above test scores

17. International and Immigrant Education What is mature student status ? I If you are 19 or older and do not have an OSSD, you may apply as a mature student. You will be tested and/or interviewed to see if you meet the program prerequisites. If you are under the age of 19 at the start of the program, you must have an OSSD or equivalent to be admitted.

18. International and Immigrant Education ICAS of CanadaInternational Credential Assessment Service Ontario AgriCentre100 Stone Road West, Suite 102Guelph  ON  N1G 5L3 Telephone:  519-763-7282Toll free in Canada:  1-800-321-6021Fax:  519-763-6964e-mail: info@icascanada.ca Website: http://www.icascanada.ca Bridging programs require proof of previous post-secondary World Education Services45 Charles Street East, Suite 700Toronto, Ontario M4Y 1S2 Tel: 416-972-0072 Toll Free 1-866-343-0070 Fax: 416-972-9004 Website: http://www.wes.org/ca/index.asp Comparative Education Service School of Continuing Studies The University of Toronto 158 St. George StreetToronto, Ontario M5S 2V8 Tel: 416-978-2400 Website: http://learn.utoronto.ca/ces.htm

19. International and Immigrant Education Credential Evaluation WES: All post-Secondary education (course credits, grades and GPA); verification of completion of Secondary School only Document Requirements: All academic documents must be received directly from the issuing institution or relevant government authority ICAS: General and Comprehensive for Secondary and Post-Secondary Specifically designed Secondary School Comprehensive Document Requirements: Original documents or copies certified within the last 12 months in the country of current residence OR For specific jurisdictions, documents issued directly to ICAS by the institution (see website)

20. International and Immigrant Education Credential Evaluation CES (The University of Toronto): Post-Secondary credentials for employment purposes and verification of credential equivalent CES does not provide detailed course by course evaluation at this time Document Requirements: Original transcripts or photocopies are acceptable. Original documents must be provided on demand

21. Occupation Specific Language Training (OSLT) Want to improve your workplace communication skills? What will you learn? • Improve your interviewing, networking and communication skills • Understand and function within the workplace culture in your occupation and sector • Effectively interact with colleagues, supervisors and clients Who qualifies? • Have training or experience in a specific occupation or sector • Have Canadian Language Benchmark English levels between 6 and 8 • Are a permanent resident or protected person No Fee !

22. George Brown College OSLT course offerings • BusinessSummer and Fall • Nursing June • Health Sciences October • ConstructionNovember OSLT courses are offered at our Casa Loma campus (Spadina & Dupont) To register, please call: 416-415-5000 x 6457 or visit www.co-oslt.org

23. International and Immigrant Education I What are my options for upgrading to help me get into my program? Upgrading options include: Pre-programs: Community Services, Health Sciences, and Business ESL: Levels 1 – 8 Academic Upgrading for Math, English, Computer Literacy, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry You may also complete high school credits at any adult high school. For more information on this, visit: http://www.tdsb.on.ca/

24. International and Immigrant Education $ Financing your Training/ Education $ To be eligible to apply for financial assistance from the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), you must be a: Canadian citizen; Permanent resident; or Protected person/convention refugee with a Protected Persons Status Document (PPSD) You must be enrolled or planning to enroll in an approved post-secondary institution in a program that is 12 weeks or more *If you have lived in Canada for less than 12 consecutive months, you may be eligible for OSAP. You might have to submit a History of Canadian Residence form to determine if you are eligible. This will help OSAP determine if you have lived in any other Canadian province or territory before you lived in Ontario

25. International and Immigrant Education Questions? ??