Purpose of the Information Session

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Purpose of the Information Session

• Provide an overview of MCI initiatives to
  integrate internationally trained individuals
  into the Ontario workforce
• Provide an overview of bridging projects
• Explain the Invitation for Proposals (IFP)
  process
• Provide instructions on how to complete the
  application forms
• Answer your questions on the IFP

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MCI Initiatives to Integrate Newcomers

• Systemic Change Initiatives
• Fair Access to Regulated Professions
• Act, 2006
• Regional Newcomer Employer Networks
• Local Immigration Partnerships
• Bridging Projects
• Helping Newcomers Obtain Licensure and
  Employment
• Bridging Projects
• Global Experience Ontario (GEO)
• Career Maps and E-Career Maps
• Foreign Trained Professionals Loans Program
• Ontario Public Service Internship Program
• Employment Ontario (TCU)
• HealthForceOntarios Access Centre for
  Internationally Educated Health Professionals
  (MOHLTC)

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MCI Initiatives to Integrate Newcomers

• Language Training for Newcomers
• Specialized Language Training Pilot Projects
• Adult Non-Credit ESL/FSL/CL Language Training
  Program
• Bridging Projects
• Implementation of the Canada-Ontario Immigration
  Agreement (COIA)
• Settlement Services
• Newcomer Settlement Program
• Language Interpreter Services
• Ontario Community Builders
• Implementation of COIA
• Helping Employers Address Labour Market Needs
• Pilot Provincial Nominee Program
• On-line Resources
• OntarioImmigration.ca

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An Introduction to Bridging Projects

• Bridging projects assess a newcomers skills and
  provide targeted training that addresses only
  what a newcomer needs to meet requirements for
  licensure (for regulated professions) and
  employment in Ontario. In addition, bridging
  projects may also help Ontarios employers and
  institutions better assess and integrate skilled
  newcomers effectively into Ontarios workforce
• Bridging projects develop and deliver
• training to assist internationally trained
  individuals in achieving licensure/ certification
• training to help internationally trained
  individuals find employment commensurate with
  their skills and experience
• initiatives that enhance the fairness and
  effectiveness with which Ontarios institutions
  are able to respond to the integration of
  internationally trained individuals into the
  Ontario labour market on a system-wide or
  sector-wide basis.
• Project partners typically include post-secondary
  institutions, regulators, employers, community
  agencies, and the federal government.

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Bridging Projects and Sustainability

• Bridging training should lead to a permanent
  change in the way organizations do business, and
  become a mainstream part of day-to-day operations
  for educational institutions, regulatory bodies
  and employers.
• Bridging should be about embedding change within
  institutions and practices.

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The Invitation for Proposals (IFP)

• Since 2003, MCI has invested over 85 million in
  145 bridging projects, serving over 20,000
  internationally trained individuals.
• Over the last four years, MCI has issued four
  IFPs
• 2004/2005
• 2005/2006
• 2006/2007
• 2007/2008
• Last year, MCI received 89 proposals, worth a
  combined 64 million.
• As a result, 40 new bridging projects were
  launched in May, 2008, worth 27.4 million.

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Three IFP Application Categories

• 1) Getting a License Bridge Training for
  Certification/Registration in Regulated
  Professions and Trades
• Projects develop, pilot and deliver
  training/education programs that advance
  internationally trained individuals measurably
  toward certification/registration
• 2) Getting a Job Pathways to Employment for
  Internationally Trained Individuals
• Projects develop, pilot and deliver programs,
  tools, or other initiatives that assist
  internationally trained individuals in obtaining
  employment
• 3) Changing the System Institutional Change
  Initiatives Fair and Effective Processes
• Projects lead to outcomes on a system-wide or
  sector-wide basis that enhance the fairness and
  effectiveness with which institutions are able to
  respond to internationally trained individuals

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Renewable Funding for Successful Existing Projects

• The IFP invites current bridging projects funded
  by MCI that are ending between January 1, 2009,
  and December 31, 2009, to apply for renewable
  operational funding.
• Renewable funding will be awarded to projects
  targeting licensure and/or employment outcomes
  for a period up to three (3) fiscal years
  (2009-2010 2011-2012).
• Applicants for renewable funding must demonstrate
  that all other options for securing funding have
  been explored.
• The purpose of Ministry funding is to finance a
  funding shortfall or to ensure the continued
  operation of the program until other funding is
  secured.

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Renewable Funding for Successful Existing Projects

• In addition to meeting the evaluation criteria,
  projects applying for renewable funding will be
  evaluated on the following
• Successful project outcomes measured against
  original Ministry of Citizenship and
  Immigration/Ministry of Training, Colleges and
  Universities contract performance commitments
• Plans to address any current or anticipated gap
  in service or regional needs
• Capacity to respond to changing
  certification/registration and employment
  requirements (e.g., through employer and/or
  regulatory representation on project advisory
  committee)
• Improved responsiveness to the needs of
  internationally trained individuals as a result
  of the pilot project outcomes (e.g., through the
  incorporation of new training, tools or policies
  into regular business)
• Capacity for continual improvement of all tools,
  curricula and processes to ensue that the project
  continues to meet requirements for
  certification/registration and/or employment.

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IFP Priority Areas

• MCI has identified the following occupations with
  strong labour market demand/employment
  opportunities
• Information and communications technology
• Biotechnology
• Nursing
• Business, finance and senior-level administration
• The following occupations have significant
  immigrant landings and have not previously been
  served by bridging projects
• Law
• Dental science
• Due consideration will be given to projects that
  propose
• Services targeting under-served geographic areas
  with a demonstrated need for services for
  internationally trained individuals
• Services targeting Francophone internationally
  trained individuals

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Additional Opportunities to Ask Questions

• In addition to the information sessions, there
  will be three one-hour Frequently Asked Questions
  (FAQ) teleconferences where applicants can ask
  questions and receive an immediate response.
• The FAQ teleconferences will be held on September
  17, 23 and 30 from 1000 a.m. to 1100 a.m.
  Dial-in information is available on the MCI
  website.
• All other questions must be submitted by e-mail
  to the IFP Coordinator at lmiifp_at_mci.gov.on.ca.
• The deadline for submitting questions is 115959
  am (12 noon) on October 1, 2008.
• FAQs will also be posted on the Ministrys
  website.

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IFP Submission Requirements

• Applicants must submit, in a sealed package, a
  completed application form, including
• One (1) original signed hard copy of the
  Application Form, including all required
  appendices for your category (see Application
  Checklist at the back of the application form).
• Two (2) photocopies of the Application Form,
  including all required appendices for your
  category (see Application Checklist at the back
  of the application form).
• One (1) electronic copy of the Application Form
  on CD in Word format, including all required
  appendices for your category (see Application
  Checklist at the back of the application form).
  The CD should be clearly labelled with the
  applicant organization and project name.
• Signatures of both the Applicant (who has legal
  signing authority for the Applicant Organization)
  and the Witness

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IFP Application Deadline

• The application deadline for the IFP is 115959
  am (12 noon) on October 9, 2008.
• Applications received by fax or other electronic
  means will be rejected.
• Applications must be submitted in a sealed
  package to the following address during business
  hours Monday through Friday (excluding Statutory
  Holidays)
• Administrative Coordinator
• Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
• Immigration Branch
• Labour Market Integration Unit
• 400 University Avenue, 3rd Floor
• Toronto, ON M7A 2R9
• Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt
  of proposals submitted within ten (10) business
  days.

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IFP Application Walk-through
Projects will be evaluated and scored according
to the following criteria
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IFP Application Walk-through

• There will be a detailed review of how to
  complete the application form, using the category
  1 form as a guide.
• Where there are significant differences between
  category 1 and application forms for other
  categories, these will be highlighted.
• Most of the questions that are asked in category
  1 are common to all three categories.
• At the end of this walk-through, the application
  forms for renewable funding will be addressed.