15 September 2008

Canadian G'ment committed to developing most skilled and flexible workforce in the world

Earlier this month the Canadian Government announced it will be expanding its international student program so that its citizens have more opportunities to study abroad and develop their skills. The policy is part of the Federal Government’s International Academic Mobility (IAM) Initiative.

Funding for an expanded international exchange program for students at Fanshawe College of Applied Arts and Technology is just part of the Government’s commitment to developing the skills base in Canada.  $25,000 will be given to the College for research and support for students looking to study abroad.

"The Government of Canada is committed to creating the best-educated, most skilled and most flexible work force in the world," said Joe Preston, Member of Parliament for Elgin-Middlesex-London. "This project will provide students with international education opportunities that will help them develop the skills and competencies needed in a competitive global market."

The Government is also trying to build its skills base using overseas workers and students.  The Canadian Department of Immigration and Citizenship announced this month the details of the proposed Canadian Experience Class, which helps temporary foreign workers and foreign student graduates get Canadian residency visas.

The new avenue for Canadian visas will mean work experience will have more weighting when the Immigration Department is considering a person’s application for residency. 

The Canadian Experience Class will help temporary foreign workers and foreign students to use their managerial, professional, technical or trade work experience as points towards their applications for Canadian residency and citizenship. 

"The Canadian Experience Class is one more measure this government is proposing to make our immigration system more attractive and accessible to individuals with diverse skills from around the world, and more responsive to Canada’s labour market needs," said the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Diane Finley. "This new proposed avenue for immigration would also go further to spread the benefits of immigration into smaller centres across Canada."

"International students and skilled workers would be more likely to choose Canada if they knew their time in Canada and contribution to Canadian society would assist in their eligibility to apply to stay permanently," she added.

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The Canadian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people apply for Canada visa and immigration services.

Article by Jessica Bird, Canadian Visa Bureau.