A Foreign Qualifications Recognition Plan for Alberta, recently released by the provincial government, will improve the process of recognizing internationally-obtained qualifications, training, and experience so that newcomers to Alberta can get to work faster.

Foreign qualification recognition is the process of verifying that education, skills, and work experience obtained outside Canada are in line with the standards established for Canadian workers. The process involves many stakeholder groups including professional regulatory organizations, educational institutions, industry councils, non-government organizations, and providers of foreign credential recognition services.

The new plan was developed through consultation with these stakeholders and with various government ministries.

• The Alberta Government website outlines the key features of the plan as:
  establishing a $1-million Innovation Fund to promote innovative and flexible approaches to foreign qualifications assessment;
  enhancing information and resources for employers, immigrants and potential newcomers;
  developing International Education Guides to provide comprehensive information on educational systems and credentials in other countries and comparisons to standards in Alberta; and
  developing occupational profiles detailing the licensing, certification or assessment process.
  
  "Streamlining foreign qualification recognition is a 'win-win' scenario for newcomers to our province and for Alberta," stated Doug Horner, Alberta Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. "This plan will help expand our labour market, strengthen our economy and provide opportunities for immigrants to make the most of the skills they've brought to out province."