A recent report by Colleges and Institutes Canada stated that the Canadian government should introduce new pathways to permanent residence for international students graduating from colleges and institutes. Given the declining birth rates and an aging population, the report argued the need for Canada to tap into the “global talent pipeline” to ensure the development of the Canadian economy.
According to the report, Canada’s public colleges and universities are ideally placed to implement a national approach to supporting the integration and settlement of international students.
What Does the Report Recommend?
The report has made 3 recommendations:
- Development of a national employment pipeline for skilled workers
- Employer-recognized national micro-credentials
- New pathways to permanent residence for international students
According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) President and CEO, Denise Amyot, while Canada needs immigrants, they continue to face barriers in finding employment preventing employers from fully benefiting from the available human capital. Among the many hurdles faced by foreign skilled workers include difficulty in getting foreign credentials recognized and the increasing immigrant wage gap.
Canadian colleges and institutions play an integral role in supporting the integration of skilled workers into the Canadian workforce. With thousands of international students coming to Canada every year, there is no shortage of people who want to put their skills to work in Canada.
Almost half of all the Study Permits issued in Canada go to students at the post-secondary level. This represents a significant source of skilled workers, with many hoping to obtain Canadian permanent residence after completing their study programs in Canada.
