Transcript Slide 1

Overview of the
Environmental
Immigrant
Bridging Pilot
Program
Presentation Overview
• Environmental Immigrant Bridging Program
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Purpose
Design
Details
Who is it for?
Application
Funding
Next Steps
ECO Canada products and services for newcomers
www.eco.ca/bridging
Environmental Immigrant
Bridging Program: Why?
For Internationally Trained Immigrants:
• To use their environmental skills and expertise
in Canada
• To learn the missing skills and knowledge to
‘bridge’ the gap towards a successful
environmental career
• To use skills learned in the course to conduct a
successful job search in a supported
environment
How was the program designed?
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Over 60 environmental
employers, internationally
trained professionals, and
employment counselors
participated
Identified “missing gaps” skilled
immigrants face in the
environmental sector
Focuses on employment and
retention barriers
Program Details: Part 1—
Classroom Training
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180 hours
Module Topics:
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Professional Verbal Communication
Professional Written Communication
Technical Writing
The Canadian Professional and Cultural Context
The Canadian Environmental Context
Critical Thinking and Judgment
Leading and Influencing Others
Learning and Creativity
Planning and Organizing Projects
Work Ethics
Computer Proficiency
Building Your Career
Program Details: Part 2—Work
Exposure Opportunities
Could include a number of activities:
• 8 week work placement or internship (paid or
unpaid)
• Industry guest speaker lectures
• Career and networking event
• Job shadowing
• Mentorship opportunities
• Full-time, part-time job
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The work exposure opportunities are organized
through the partner organization’s efforts
Who is it for?
The program is for Internationally Trained Professionals
who meet the following criteria:
• Over 5 years of environmental work experience*
• A degree or diploma in environmental field**
• Language Proficiency – minimum CLB 7 (Or
Equivalent)
• Under or unemployed
• Eligible to work in Canada
*Work experience must relate to an area within the
National Occupational Standards (NOS) for
environmental employment
**Foreign Credential Evaluation Preferred
Who works in the environment?
Who works in the environment?
Example:
Who works in the environment?
Example: Conducting
environmental impact
assessments
Prepares environmental impact
assessment report(s) that may
include mitigation,
environmental protection, and
recovery plans.
Statements at:
www.eco.ca/certification
How to Apply: Application Details
Apply online at eco.ca/bridging:
1. Answer the survey about your background: Education, Experience,
Language skills
2. Email your updated resume to [email protected]
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Proof of Qualifications (Education and CLB Level) will be required as part of the
application
Generally, 12-15 participants are accepted per program
Program coordinator at the partner organization must conduct in-person
interviews with all finalists to assess their suitability for the program
NB. There is a $75 registration fee charged to each student of the program to
cover ECO’s administration costs associated with this program
Where is the program being
offered?
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Will be offered through Immigrant
Agency delivery partners across
Canada
– Pilot programs in Edmonton,
Calgary and Toronto are
completed 2010-2011
– Additional partners in Vancouver,
Saskatoon, Toronto , Ottawa,
Hamilton, and Montreal are
awaiting funding in order to
implement their programs
Program Details: Funding
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Immigrant Serving Agency Partners
are responsible for obtaining funding
to cover the operational costs of the
program. This includes:
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Instructor Professional Fees
1 full-time Program Coordinator
1 full-time Career Coach
Licensing Fee to ECO
Facilities
Printing of Curriculum
ECO Canada can assist with funding
proposals through providing labour
market research, support letters, and
curriculum information
Program Details: Licensing Fee
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Includes:
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Instructor Guide
Trainer Materials
Student Guide
Support from ECO Canada with:
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Application system
Marketing the program to
prospective students
Template documents for
certificates, student
communication, etc.
Student follow-up and survey
creation
$225/student/delivery
Next Steps
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Validation of program fit
Signed Partnership Agreement
– Outlines responsibilities of
immigrant agency and ECO
Seek funding opportunities
Market and Deliver program
Career Services for Skilled
Immigrants
• Visit the Immigrant Career Centre and understand
the sector
• Consider professional development courses through
the Canadian Centre for Environmental Education
(www.ccee.ca)
• Join a network of regional environmental
professionals and get a head start on your
competency assessment through ECO Canada’s
Environmental Professional (EP) certification
(www.eco.ca/certification)
• Look at the ECO Job Board
EP
Stay Informed about the Program:
ECO Canada Communications
ECO Newsletters
• Stay in the know about industry issues
• Sign up at www.eco.ca
ECO Blogs
• Engage with other environmental
professionals about environmental careers
Social Media
• Connect with ECO and practitioners across
Canada through Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter
and More!
Questions?