Human Resources and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has recently announced a pilot project that will permit soon-to-be immigrants to have their international credentials recognized before arriving in Canada. The Foreign Credential Recognition Support for Labour Market Needs in Saskatchewan pilot project will therefore allow newcomers to transition into the workforce more quickly.

Through the federal government’s Foreign Credential Recognition Program, the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) will establish a system for verifying that internationally-obtained work experience and education credentials are in line with Canadian standards. Immigrants will receive their certification before they immigrate to Saskatchewan.

"This project will help new Canadians immigrating to Saskatchewan get their international credentials recognized before arriving in Canada. It will benefitimmigrants as well as employers who are struggling with skilled labour shortages, and be good for the Saskatchewan economy,” said Lynne Yelich, Member of Parliament for Blackstrap and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Monte Solberg.

For now, the pilot project will focus on foreign skilled workers in the mechanical trades originating from the Ukraine, the Philippines, and Vietnam who are heading to Saskatchewan. The mechanical trades considered at this time are welding, heavy duty equipment, and agricultural machinery.