The government of Alberta's nine-year Health Workforces Action Plan (released last fall) outlined the need to attract foreign health professionals to Alberta and to create Health Career Centres to help them find work in their field.

Health Career Centres are now open in Edmonton and Calgary, offering a wide range of services to help internationally-trained doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care professionals to navigate the registration and licensing processes in Alberta.

"Often one of the biggest barriers newcomers face is accessing the information they need to get started on the path to employment," stated Employment and Immigration Minister Hector Goudreau. "Health Career Centres are an important link for internationally educated health professionals seeking opportunities in Alberta. By helping these professionals take the first step toward applying their skills in Alberta, we are ensuring a quality, accessible health care system for all Albertans."

The Health Career Centres are located at the Directions for Internationally Educated Health Professional – Bow Valley College in Calgary and the Bredin Institute Centre for Skilled and Internationally Trained Professionals in Edmonton.

There is no cost for these services, which include:

• advice and support through the registration and licensing processes;
• one-on-one employment and career coaching;
• occupation-specific health care seminars;
• study groups to help internationally educated health professionals prepare for licensing and accreditation exams;
• practice exams;
• referrals to bridging and language-training programs;
• support during employment.

The Government of Alberta is providing $1.4 million over three years to support Health Career Centre services.