News Release - Enhanced Language Training Helps immigrants use their skills and credentials

OTTAWA, May 7, 2004 — Citizenship and Immigration Canada Minister Judy Sgro announced today that the Government of Canada is expanding the Enhanced Language Training initiative to reach up to 20,000 new immigrants a year in need of higher levels of language training.

“Immigrants have much to offer in terms of education, training and experience,” said Minister Sgro. “They contribute to every aspect of Canadian life, and we are committed to supporting them so that they can thrive in their adopted home.”

While most newcomers destined for the labour force have adequate conversational language skills when they arrive in Canada, many employers report gaps in recent immigrants’ mastery of specialized workplace language skills and vocabulary.

“Improving the language training available for immigrants, along with speedier recognition of foreign credentials and prior work experience, is an important part of the Government’s strategy to ensure the successful integration of new immigrants into the economy and communities,” said Dr. Hedy Fry, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, with special emphasis on Foreign Credentials.

The Government currently spends about $140 million a year on language training for about 50,000 adult immigrants, outside Quebec. In addition to this, through the expansion of the Enhanced Language Training initiative, $20 million annually will go towards providing higher levels of language training specifically geared to ensuring adult immigrants are able to enter and remain in the labour market at levels that will make full use of their skills and credentials.

The Enhanced Language Training initiative is implemented through cost-sharing partnerships with provinces, territories, municipalities, community organizations, non-governmental organizations, employers and educational institutions.

In 2003–2004, Citizenship and Immigration Canada entered into cost-sharing agreements with partners to fund 43 projects at a cost of $1.5 million. These projects will help immigrants acquire the language skills they need to pursue careers in fields such as nursing, engineering, policing, customer service, and administrative assistance, or to manage a small business or become entrepreneurs.

Other measures being taken to integrate immigrants into the labour market more effectively include improving information for prospective immigrants and newcomers to Canada through an enhanced “Going to Canada” Internet portal. The portal will help to prepare immigrants for living and working in Canada by including information on Canada’s labour market and educational system, as well as Canadian culture, regions and communities. It will also feature tools to allow potential immigrants and newcomers to test their language abilities and assess their credentials to determine if they will be recognized in Canada.

“Enhanced Language Training is an important initiative that will help reduce the income gap between immigrants in the work force and Canadian-born workers with comparable skills and education,” said Minister Sgro. “It will also benefit employers and communities that need the skills and qualifications which immigrants bring to Canada.”

For more information:

Simone Mac Andrew
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
(613) 954-1064

Jean-Pierre Morin
Media Relations
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
(613) 941-7712

Backgrounder:

• Citizenship and Immigration Canada enhanced language training initiative