Nearly $10 million will help internationally trained nurses, teachers, engineers, and tradespeople secure faster licensure and enter the NB workforce
The New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour has secured $9,986,323 through a federal government program to improve credential recognition and accelerate workforce participation for internationally trained professionals and tradespeople.
The news was announced in a media release on Tuesday, Aug. 11.
“Foreign qualification recognition is an important part of labour mobility and finding ways to meet New Brunswick’s needs as they grow,” said Post-Secondary Education and Training Minister Jean-Claude D’Amours.
“This is a wonderful place to work, and this support from the federal government will help us help skilled individuals who want to work here.”
The investment from the Foreign Credential Recognition Program is being distributed through three branches of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour – WorkingNB, post-secondary relations, and Skilled Trades NB – with a focus on professionals in health care, engineering, skilled trades, and education.
The funding will go toward items such as:
- Wage subsidies for 100 internationally educated nurses.
- Teacher placements.·
- Enhancement of the Apprenticeship Management System.·
- Bridging programs supporting internationally trained teachers as they complete the licensing process.·
- Employer engagement for engineers and geoscientists: networking events, industry liaisons and placement co-ordination.
“Meeting Canada’s workforce needs requires more than attracting talent; it requires creating pathways for people to fully contribute their skills and expertise,” said Vimy MP Annie Koutrakis, parliamentary secretary to the federal minister of jobs and families.
“This investment will help improve credential recognition processes and strengthen workforce participation, supporting economic growth and prosperity in New Brunswick and across Canada.”
Koutrakis attended for federal Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu.
The goal of the program is to support faster licensure, improved employer readiness and long-term workforce integration.
“Demand for skilled workers in the construction industry is at an all-time high, and is only projected to grow, and internationally trained workers are part of the solution,” said John-Ryan Morrison, executive director of the Construction Association of New Brunswick.
“We are pleased to see the federal government is supporting the province in helping more skilled workers build their career in New Brunswick while strengthening the workforce needed to build our province.”
