International Credential Recognition
On this page…
Overview
Who: Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
What: Identifying barriers that prevent internationally trained professionals from fully participating in the labour market
Where: Province-wide
Why: To ensure B.C. will have an inclusive and balanced workforce as our economy grows over the next decade
How: Online
Engagement Summary
As B.C.’s economy continues to grow over the next decade, we are focused on ensuring our workforce remains balanced and inclusive for people living in our province.
The online survey gathered feedback from April 19 to May 26, 2023 to identify barriers that have prevented internationally trained professionals from working in their field of expertise to the full extent of their abilities and to gather public feedback on improving the credential recognition process.
The goal was to gather feedback from internationally trained professionals, immigrant serving organizations, working professionals currently in B.C. and other interested members of the public.
The results from this survey are combined with feedback heard during virtual roundtables with over 120 people who provided their perspectives and experiences with credential recognition in spring 2023.
Results
In total, 1,344 people submitted surveys including 953 internationally trained professionals, 185 domestically trained professionals, 98 representatives of immigrant serving organizations, and 108 of members of the public participating in the survey.
Eight consistent themes emerged from the engagement about how government can improve the international credential recognition process and make the system more accessible, efficient, and fair. Regulatory authorities, internationally trained professionals, and other stakeholders told us they care about:
- Theme 1: Streamlining complex processes and shortening timelines
- Theme 2: Improving the accessibility, consistency, and transparency of information about the licensure process and requirements
- Theme 3: Exploring alternative pathways for credential recognition
- Theme 4: Exploring more flexible approaches to demonstrate language proficiency
- Theme 5: Introducing performance standards for data and reporting
- Theme 6: Improving financial and other supports for internationally trained professionals and regulatory authorities
- Theme 7: Improving coordination between government and regulatory authorities at the provincial and federal levels
- Theme 8: Increasing collaboration between regulatory authorities, educational institutions, employers, and immigrant serving organizations to support licensure and integration
The report explores each of these themes in further detail.
Read the What We Heard report.
Read the July 24, 2023 news release.
Read the November 9, 2023 news release on B.C. passing the International Credentials Recognition Act.
Related engagements
