News Release - Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia announce joint pilot project on postgraduate employment for international students

OTTAWA, May 6, 2004 — Judy Sgro, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and Jamie Muir, Minister of Education for Nova Scotia, today announced a pilot project that will make it easier for international students who graduate from Nova Scotia colleges and universities to work in the province for an extra year.

“This pilot project will increase Canada’s appeal to international students and encourage immigration to Nova Scotia,” said Minister Sgro. “It gives foreign graduates the opportunity to gain Canadian work experience in their field of study that will serve them well when they return to their country of origin or choose to remain in Canada as immigrants.”

The pilot project, which began on May 3, 2004, will allow international students in Nova Scotia to gain an additional year of work experience in their field of study following graduation. Currently, graduates may work for a maximum of one year in a job related to their studies without having to obtain a confirmation from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. Under this pilot project, work permits can be renewed for a second year, making it easier for graduates to continue working in the province.

“We are pleased to work with our federal partners to expand work experience opportunities for international students in Nova Scotia,” said Minister Muir. “This pilot project will enable students to double their work experience with Nova Scotian employers, and help narrow the skills gap by meeting the needs of Nova Scotia’s labour market, as part of the provincial skills strategy, Skills Nova Scotia.”

For graduates who wish to apply for permanent resident status as skilled workers, an extra year of employment will provide them with additional experience points on the selection grid. Furthermore, they will be able to submit their applications and continue working while awaiting a decision. For these graduates, additional time spent in the province is also likely to result in stronger ties to their communities — further increasing the likelihood of their settling in Nova Scotia if they choose to remain in Canada.

Under the terms of the project, both the original work permit and its renewal will apply only to work in Nova Scotia for temporary foreign workers who graduated from a publicly funded post-secondary institution in that province. The work must be related to the graduate’s area of study.

The pilot project will be in effect for three years during which there will be an ongoing evaluation of the project’s impact. Citizenship and Immigration Canada has already signed similar agreements in New Brunswick and Alberta and continues to explore such initiatives in other regions.

For more information:

Citizenship and Immigration Canada:
Simone MacAndrew
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
(613) 954-1064

Claire Despins
Media Relations
Communications Branch
(613) 941-7035

Ministry of Education, Nova Scotia
Leanne Strathdee
Communications Advisor
(902) 424-0011

Visit Nova Scotia Internet site

Backgrounder:

• Canada–Nova Scotia pilot project on postgraduate employment for international students

Related Documents:

• Canada–Nova Scotia Memorandum of Understanding on Post-Graduation Employment for Foreign Students