An Integrated Approach to Assessment, Planning & BridgingInternational Qualifications Program

Presentation Outline BC’s current context

Limitations of the existing system

Characteristics of a more effective system

A proposed integrated approach

Challenges to implementation

Proposed first steps

Demographic Realities BC has a persistent labour market imbalance

with shortages of workers in specific sectors or regions

BC projects more than one million job openings will occur between 2004 and 2015 with half due to retirements

Conference Board of Canada projects by 2010 all net labour force growth – in BC and Canada – will come from immigration

Immigration Trends BC receives 35,000+ immigrants annually,

many with skills and experience in occupations where labour shortages exist

On average immigrants arrive in BC with higher levels of education than the Canadian-born population

Between 1998 and 2003 the proportion of immigrants who had attained a university degree before arriving in Canada increased from 48% to 53%

Economic Contradictions Immigration is becoming increasingly

important to support economic growth in BC In recent surveys 80% of BC employers

indicated they are “open” to using immigrants Nationally, only 20% of employers indicated

they were “very likely” to use recent immigrants to address current or emerging skill shortages.

Performance of recent immigrants has been declining (i.e. lower rates of employment, lower earnings, and higher incidents of poverty) compared to previous arrivals

Current System Existing services are generally comprised of ad-hoc

pilots, short-term solutions, or some longer-term initiatives that have significant eligibility restrictions

Most assessments are relatively generic in focus or are done as a screening tool for specific programs rather than as a career planning tool.

Often key players that need to be involved are not at the table (i.e. regulatory bodies, employers, etc.)

Little program evaluation exists that can serve as evidence to support continuation of pilots or expansion of programs

Limitations of PLA Practices Other than a few select occupations, relatively little

prior learning assessment is available to assist immigrants in gaining recognition for non-Canadian credentials.

Of those programs available, a wide range of methods and parameters are used between post-secondary institution programs, professional or trades association, or regulatory bodies.

PLA processes within BC’s post-secondary institutions have restrictions on the amount of recognized learning gained through non-formal learning regardless of the competence level of the individual.

Desirable System Features Builds on and/or supports existing system

elements and enables value-added partnerships (i.e. increased efficiency, coordination, etc.)

Based on compelling evidence, rationale and demonstrated cost-effectiveness

Supports innovative and flexible approaches to improve accessibility and portability.

Meets existing outcome standards related to public safety and quality assurance

Goals for an Improved System Supports the growth of the BC economy

through the provision of skilled workers Provides an effective and efficient occupational

transition process for professional and trades immigrants, including areas where skill shortages exist

Enhances the effectiveness of, and access to, qualification assessment, recognition and bridging processes

Accelerates the journey to meaningful employment commensurate with skills and qualifications

An Integrated Approach

BC’s Labour Market

Enhanced Language Assessment Services

Enhanced Language Training Services

BC’s Unemployed

and/orUnderemplo

yedImmigrants

Career Assessment and Planning Services

Pre-technical Language & Skills Upgrading

Workplace Practice

Technical Language & Skills/Apprenticeship Training

Modularized Elements Enhanced English Language for Adults (ELSA+)

Proficiency Assessment Services: Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) levels 4

through 6

Enhanced English Language for Adults (ELSA+) Training Services:

Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) levels 4 through 6

Modularized Elements (cont.) Immigrant Career Assessment & Planning

Services: Employment Readiness Assessment

English language proficiency assessment

Essential skills assessment

Academic qualifications assessment

Technical skills/licensure assessment

Information & referral

Individualized action planning

Modularized Elements (cont.) Pre-technical Language and Skill Development

Services: English for workplace and/or academic purposes

(CLB Levels 7 and 8)

Essential skills development

Academic upgrading

Career & cultural orientation

Job search skill development

Modularized Elements (cont.) Technical Language and Skill Development

Services: English for job-specific purposes

(CLB Levels 8, 9 and 10)

Technical skill development

Workplace Practice Services: Internships/Preceptorships

Job Shadowing/Mentorship

Apprenticeships

System Entry Considerations On-line Access

Single point of entry for assessment, planning and bridging

Front-counter Support In-person support to complement on-line service

whether accessed through a governmental agency, community-based agency, public or private post-secondary institution, regulatory body, professional or trade association, union, or employer association.

Principles of Governance Enhancing the employment outcomes for BC

immigrants is a shared responsibility

Commitment at multiple levels is critical for success

Associated costs should be shared equitably where possible and cost recovery strategies should be supported

Decisions related to potential programming priorities should be based on consensus and should respect jurisdictional boundaries, fiduciary responsibilities and program accountability

Governance Structure

Multilateral Leadership GroupCoalition of Funding Agencies

(Minimum ADM Level)

Multilateral Implementation ForumCoalition of Funding Agencies(Program Management Level)

Employment AccessStrategy for Immigrants

(EASI)

EnhancedEnglish

LanguageServices

CareerAssessment& Planning

Services

EmploymentBridgingServices

Program&

ProjectEvaluations

En

On-line &Front-Counter

SupportElements

Anticipated Outcomes The existing system, consisting of an array of

products and services available through a multitude of service providers, is strengthened through innovation and increased integration of services

Increased collaboration and partnership leads to improved access to employment-related services

Access to employment in areas commensurate with the individuals skills and qualifications is improved

Challenges in Implementation Respective roles and responsibilities of the

various stakeholders Who needs to do what, when and how?

Historical allegiances and practices What are the implication of changes to my

organization?

Quality assurance What about all our past success?

Interfacing the various elements How does it become seamless to the immigrant?

Possible First Steps Increase sectoral capacity:

Establish sector-specific and cross-sectoral “Communities of Practice”

Develop a common on-line resource to support COPs

Increase career assessment and planning capacity

Develop an ICAPS program logic model, processes, service standards, and an evaluation framework

Develop a “suite” of on-line assessment and career planning products from existing and new resources

Pilot a full-service ICAPS centre in the GVRD and up to four regional centres throughout BC

First Steps (cont.) Increase bridging system capacity

Develop an Integrated Bridging Service (IBS) logic model, curriculum, service standards, and an evaluation framework in four occupation-specific areas:

Construction Trades, Acute Care Nursing, Engineering & Applied Science Technologists/Technicians, and Pharmacy

Develop an IBS program logic model, curriculum, service standards, and an evaluation framework in non-occupation specific areas

Develop employer linkages (partnerships and networks) to support IBS development and delivery

Pilot IBS in the identified occupational areas

An Emerging Approach to Integrated Assessment, Planning & Bridging

Thank you!