Victoria: The B.C. government has tabled legislation to make improvement in the process of recognizing credentials of internationally educated professionals.
The B.C. government said if the legislation is passed, regulatory bodies will need to remove barriers in 29 professions and make it easier and quicker for those qualified professionals to seek credential recognition.
“Skilled professionals from around the world move to B.C. hoping to put their skills to good use, but instead face huge obstacles and an often-confusing process to get their credentials recognized,” said Premier David Eby.
“With the skills shortage we have in this province, we cannot afford to leave anyone on the sidelines. That’s why we’re taking action to close the gaps in the system so people can get to work faster, fill in-demand jobs and provide much-needed services to people in B.C.,” he added.
According to the province, the international credentials recognition act will properly value international work experience and eliminate the catch-22 of requiring Canadian work experience prior to being accredited in Canada.
The international credentials recognition act, if passed, will require 18 regulators overseeing 29 professions to streamline processes for internationally trained applicants. These 29 occupations are registered music teacher, professional engineer, professional teaching certificate holder, land surveyor, early childhood educator, landscape architect, early childhood educator assistant, applied science technologist, conditional teaching certificate holder, certified technician, social worker, veterinarian, registered clinical social worker, lawyer, professional biologist, architect, applied biology technician, notary public, registered biology technologist, emergency medical assistant, including paramedics, professional geoscientist, chartered professional accountant, registered professional forester, associate real estate broker, registered forest technologist, managing real estate broker, professional agrologist, real estate representative, and technical agrologist.