Plan to expedite and improve foreign-credential recognition
Plan to expedite and improve foreign-credential recognition
Q&A with Ontario Liberal Leader frontrunner
By Irish Mae Silvestre
The Philippine Reporter
The Philippine Reporter: Why did you decide to tackle this issue? And why now?
Steven Del Duca: Tackling this issue is important to ensuring that everyone has a chance to join the middle class. This is why I will take action to expedite and improve the foreign credential recognition processes to ensure valuable skills are not being lost.
TPR: Based on your own experience, why is this issue important to you?
SDD: As the son of two immigrants, I understand that Ontario is not reaching its full potential when those with specialized training from abroad – are unable to pursue their careers in line with their skills and experience. This issue is important to me as I know it is integral to Ontario being the best it can be.
TPR: How can education services remove the red tape, while maintaining standards?
SDD: Education and testing services can ensure that foreign trained workers are able to contribute to Ontario’s economy in their field of training, while ensuring that quality standards are maintained.
In fact, the best quality of trained professionals can only be realized when those with foreign credentials are recognized and able to contribute by making use of their skills and experience.
All too often, the current system fails to ensure that foreign trained professionals’ credentials are recognized and often forces them to deal with red tape or spend years repeating education they already have, which is not a possible option for many.
TPR: What can be done right now to make it easier for new immigrants to have their credentials recognized?
SDD: The premier could take action on this file right this moment. I would welcome him taking my plan and enacting it immediately.
TPR: For people who have already been rejected, would they be able to have their credentials assessed again?
SDD: Yes, anyone who passes a clear and transparent test that validates their credentials should be able to practice their profession.
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