The Canadian Immigration Integration Project (CIIP) in Asia is a $4.5 million government-funded initiative, which aims to better prepare soon-to-be Canadian immigrants for settlement in Canada. The three-year pilot project began in January in Manila, Delhi, and Hong Kong. Starting this month, the pre-arrival service will also be provided in Beijing, Gujarat, and Punjab.

While waiting for their medical and security clearances, soon-to-be Canadian immigrants meet with counselors to develop a Canadian settlement strategy. The program includes a day-long workshop at the overseas offices in which immigrants are grouped by profession or by destination in Canada. The participants then receive 90 minutes of one-on-one counseling with Canadian representatives.

One thousand skilled immigrants have participated in the program since January and have learned about Canadian labour market trends, skills in demands in different areas, career bridging programs, and licensing procedures. Those who attended the orientation in January are now arriving in Canada, many having had their foreign credentials assessed, having contacted settlement agencies online, having researched potential employers, and having posted their resumés on Canadian job search boards.

"Our goal is to help (foreign-trained professionals) have a faster acquisition of appropriate employment by connecting with them and preparing them ahead of time," explains CIIP director Katrina Murray. Tom Owen of Toronto’s World Education Services states that only 10 per cent of immigrants who have their credentials assessed at his organization do so from overseas. "You can save anywhere between three weeks and two months on that if you actually have it done ahead of time," he states.

The success of the Canadian Immigration Integration Project thus far has prompted the opening of three new offices this month.