The Canadian Forum of Labour Market Ministers (FLMM)
recently released the Pan Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition
of Foreign Qualifications. The framework
poses questions and challenges for professional regulatory authorities.
In Canada, qualification recognition for regulated
occupations is primarily a provincial and territorial responsibility that often
is delegated, in legislation, to professional regulatory authorities.
The Pan-Canadian Framework describes the ideal steps
and processes that Canada aspires to build in order to address the current gaps
to successful immigrant labour market integration.
It defines foreign qualification recognition (FQR) as
the process of verifying that the knowledge, skills, work experience and
education obtained in another country is comparable to the standards established for Canadian professionals and
tradespersons.
Regulatory authorities, in each jurisdiction, have
the primary responsibility for
establishing occupational standards that ensure public, consumer and
environmental protection.
There is no legislated approach to standards in
Canada. What then is the Canadian context for standards?
There are
three noteworthy systems that co-exist.
- The
National Occupational Analysis (NOA) system for standards is a proven system of national co-operation
- The
National Occupational Standards (NOS) system for standards is a sector
specific system.
- There is a Canada version of the UK National Vocation Qualification (NVQ) system for standards which aligns with emerging international qualifications frameworks.
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