Tearing down barriers to work

By Jim Anderson
March 03, 2005

The Office for Partnerships for Advanced Skills (OPAS) will lead a project to assist internationally trained professionals to meet the requirements for jobs that match their qualifications.
The Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities is investing $638,750 over the next three years.

"The first phase of the project involves compiling research on the barriers that internationally trained professionals face and consulting with organizations that work with them," says Carol Stephenson, Chair of the OPAS Board of Directors and Dean of the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western.

"A call for proposals from universities to address the identified obstacles will then be issued."

The project will involve a partnership of universities, industry, professional regulatory bodies and community organizations.

"Ontario's goal is to be a leader in higher education," says Mary Anne Chambers, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

"It's important that the resources of the province's postsecondary education system be available to help internationally trained individuals continue their careers in Ontario."

Each year, Ontario receives more than 120,000 immigrants, 58 per cent of those coming to Canada. More than 70 per cent of the working age adults are highly skilled with postsecondary education or training.

OPAS is a partnership of universities and leading companies that promotes stronger links between the two sectors. OPAS fosters lifelong learning and skills development, facilitates dialogue on labour market issues and supports innovation through knowledge transfer from universities to private enterprise.
It annually sponsors a Visionary Seminar to provide a forum for industry representatives and university faculty and students to discuss a vision for the future.

Speakers have included Pamela Wallin, Canada's Consul-General to New York; Ted Rogers, CEO, Rogers Communications; David Dodge, Governor of the Bank of Canada, and Mike Laziridis, President and CEO, Research in Motion.