In the future more Brits will have access to the help they need to undergo their skills assessments for Canadian visas.

"We want newcomers to be able to use their skills as soon as possible in Canada," said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. "This funding will help them jump-start the credential recognition process before they arrive in Canada. It's good for them and good for the Canadian economy."

The Canadian Immigration Integration Project (CIIP), run by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC), is set to receive a windfall of CDN$15 million over the next three years to expand services in India, China and the Philippines and establish a new office in London by Autumn 2011.

The CIIP began a trial of offering orientation services in the Philippines, China and India in early 2007. However following their success, and with the additional funding, the existing sites and the London office will offer access to more than 70 per cent of the selected federal skilled workers around the world. These locations will also offer access to approximately 44 per cent of selected provincial nominees around the world.

"Our government is committed to helping newcomers succeed in Canada," commented the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. "Attracting the best international talent is important to Canada's long-term economic success."
 "To date, close to 7,000 people have graduated from the CIIP pilot programme overseas," said James Knight, President and CEO, ACCC. "As a result, they are better prepared to contribute to Canada's prosperity through employment or by starting a new business."
Newcomers report foreign credential recognition as one of their top challenges once they emigrate to Canada. As part of the Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has allocated CDN$50 million over two years to support a common approach to foreign credential recognition to better integrate immigrants into the Canadian labour market.

Minister Kenney also revealed progress in the area of foreign credential recognition in Canada, including an announcement of the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications – an agreement between the federal, provincial and territorial governments to speed up foreign credential recognition for newcomers to Canada.