We are very pleased to have done the “Opportunity Cost of Not Investing in Interpretation” report – it is so important to have clarity on these challenges and…

Hindia Mohamoud, Director, OLIP
The City of Ottawa will continue to play a lead role in the implementation of the Ottawa Immigration Strategy, just as we did in the founding of OLIP.

Steve Desroches
City Councillor and Deputy Mayor of Ottawa
In our city’s history, immigrants have always played an important role. They build our economic prosperity, diversify our culture, contribute to our social vitality.

Jim Watson
Mayor of Ottawa
The work and expertise that OLIP brings to our community is so important as it helps us to build bridges and break down silos.  I look forward to our continued work together. 

Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa
The target beneficiary of the work of OLIP is the whole community. In this short period we have planted together important seeds for Ottawa’s development.  

Dick Stewart
OLIP Council
All the WOW events that I went to were great – WOW does give a sense of a community trying to improve its attraction and retention!

Caroline Andrew
Professor, University of Ottawa
I was happy to see integration to Algonquin territory and indigenous culture related programming in 2014 WOW. Please continue to involve local Aboriginal organisations and…

Linda Manning
WOW 2014 participant, Senior Fellow, University of Ottawa
The Ottawa Chinese Community Service Centre is so happy to have joined the OLIP Health and Wellbeing Sector Table. It is clear that OLIP cares about immigrants and refugees and…

Wendy Tang, Ottawa Chinese Community Service Centre
I’m really impressed with the level of energy and commitment around the Health and Wellbeing table and look forward to continuing collaboration between OLIP and OPH.

Marcela Tapia
Ottawa Public Health
My nomination is an indication that our hard work in building Canada is recognized. All we do is to serve the community in return for embracing us when we needed it.  

Mehdi Mahdavi
Ottawa Immigrant Entrepreneurship Awards Nominee

Foreign Credential Recognition Program

July 7, 2021

Across the National Capital Region, there are several organizations that support newcomers in different ways. Labour market integration for immigrants in regulated professions can be quite complex.  The process can be lengthy, costly and intimidating. The Foreign Credential Recognition Program (FCRP) created in January 2019 to support their clients in getting an equivalency of their international educational qualifications and integration into the workforce. We all have heard about highly skilled immigrants being underpaid, forced to work in different fields than their education or experience, etc. After having their foreign credentials recognised, FCRP clients are enabled to make full use of their education, skills, knowledge, and experience. It also opens the door to multiple well-paid opportunities in their field or related-field. The Foreign Credential Recognition Program work closely with World Skills to helps newcomers to overcome barriers such as a lack of Canadian professional work experience, professional networks, labour market information related to specific occupations, understanding of Canadian style resume, cover letters, interview skills, etc.

FCRP clients are benefitted in many ways as they get access to multiple services provided either by World Skills Employment Centre and any of its coalition organizations such as:

  • Career Orientation, Credential assessment guidance, Licensing information and guidance, Academic Career support – provided by World Skills Employment Centre
  • Credential assessment plan – provided by Lebanese and Arab Social Services Agency (LASSA)
  • Mentorship with a professional in their respective field – provided by Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO)
  • Microloans up to $15,000 to support professional development activities – provided by Ottawa Community Loan Fund (OCLF)

Financial support for clients pursuing licensure is provided under this program through low-cost professional development loans from OCLF which allows clients to access required training programs in a cost-effective manner. OCLF’s involvement ensures that the client has access to financial support that does not place their credit history in jeopardy but allows access to funds when needed.

To be eligible for this program clients must have completed their post-secondary education outside of Canada. Also, they need to be a Permanent Resident, Convention Refugee or naturalized Canadian Citizen.

So far, the program has served more than 850 clients and despite of the Pandemic, the trend on the number of clients served, continues to grow.

“The services received made me more confident and enhanced my network. One of the connections developed in the framework of the FCRP Mentorship program permitted me to get my first Canadian experience with the support and help of an experienced mentor in my field.”

“It was an amazing meeting filled with advice, great career choices and open paths for us to take.”

To find out more about how you can participate in the Foreign Recognition Credential Program contact: manpreet@ottawa-worldskills.org