Overview

WELCOME TO THE IEP CONFERENCE WEBSITE

Now in its 9th successful year, the IEP Conference is regarded as one of the most innovative and respectful events for Internationally Educated Professional newcomers seeking practical, effective career advice.

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Click here for more information about the CMA Ontario's special Presentation: "Selling Your Skills by Executing a Strategic Career Search"

2012 Greetings from The Honourable Jason Kenney

On behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Government of Canada, I am pleased to extend my best wishes again this year to the organizers and attendees of Toronto’s Internationally Educated Professionals (IEP) Conference.

Canada is proud to attract the best and brightest talent from around the world, and yet many immigrants face challenges obtaining meaningful work that corresponds with their skills and education. We know this has been a problem for far too long, and that’s why we’ve worked to address the complications that newcomers face in order to get their credentials recognized.

Under the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications, and as mentioned last year, a number of regulated occupations are taking steps to improve their processes for assessing and recognizing international qualifications. Now, skilled immigrants in these occupations will be advised within one year on whether their qualifications will be recognized. I am pleased to report that by December 31, 2012, six more targeted occupations will be added.

Through the Foreign Credentials Referral Office, the Government of Canada offers a number of tools to help newcomers get their credentials assessed and enter the labour market more quickly. The Planning to Work in Canada? An Essential Workbook for Newcomers offers immigrants information about settling in Canada, getting their credentials assessed, and creating a job search plan. In addition, the FCRO offers brochures with important information on select occupations to help newcomers learn about their occupation or sector in Canada. Ten new brochures – including ones for Chartered Accountants, Optometrists, and Pharmacists – were launched in 2011.

In addition, the International Qualification Network (IQN) website was recently launched to promote innovations in the assessment and recognition of foreign worker qualifications. The IQN website, administered by the FCRO, serves as a virtual space for employers, regulatory bodies, governments and organizations serving immigrants to capitalize on promising qualification assessment and recognition practices.

The Government of Canada is committed to helping immigrants integrate into their new communities more quickly, and giving them greater opportunities to find jobs. That’s why we continue to introduce initiatives through the FCRO and invest in important events like the IEP conference.

Our work on this issue is paying off, and we will continue to work with our partners and build on our successes to ensure that skilled and professional immigrants are working in their fields of training as soon as possible when they arrive in Canada.

As Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, I would like to commend the organizers of this conference for their ongoing efforts to provide a venue for internationally-educated professionals seeking practical career advice, and, in turn, to open doors of opportunity for newcomers to Canada.

Sincerely,

The Honourable Jason Kenney, PC, MP
Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism

A Quick Conference Overview

Get inspired and learn about Canadian business cultures with employers and regulatory bodies.

Participate in a wide range of personal and professional development sessions and workshops led by industry experts, experienced facilitators and successful IEPs.

This is your opportunity to meet with informed, experienced and inspirational professionals who can help make your career dreams in Canada less of a puzzle, and more of a reality.