Helping international students bridge the gap
At Ryerson University’s G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, a unique set of offerings is helping internationally educated professionals bridge the gap between education, experience and employment.
“The Conference Board of Canada reports that by 2025 Canada will have a shortfall of 1.2 million workers,” says The Chang School’s dean, Marie Bountrogianni. “That makes our Gateway for International Professionals programs vital because immigration will become even more important than it already is and those new Canadians will need bridging programs to enter the market. Our gateway programs accurately assess professionals’ skills and provide them with the education and experience to succeed.”
For the past 15 years, the Chang School has offered bridging programs in the areas of accounting and finance, dietetics and nutrition, middle-level management, midwifery, physiotherapy and social work. Three years ago, it launched the Internationally Trained Medical Doctors Bridging Program, which facilitates the successful integration of internationally trained medical doctors into non-licensed health care jobs in the Ontario workforce.
And, most recently, it is piloting a program focused on the green economy for those whose work abroad involved renewal energy.
“Our bridging programs not only provide students with Canadian context but many also feature a co-op component that is essential in helping them get their foot in the door,” says Bountrogianni.
In addition to bridging programs, Gateway for International Professionals offers the Workplace Communication in Canada program, which focuses on the soft skills in communication, critical thinking and analysis learners need to excel, based on both their individual career goals and the needs of their industry. Employers can also offer the program to employees through the Chang School’s Organizational Learning program.
“This program can be completed online or in person,” says Bountrogianni. “We have also had employers send students to us and we have gone onsite to various organizations. It is very flexible.”