Certificate programs help newcomers overcome barriers to success in the Canadian marketplace

In honour of recent graduates, 91亚色 is hosting Celebrate Success March 2025: Internationally Educated Professionals (IEP) Bridging Program on Wednesday, March 5 at 7 p.m.

Over the last 15 years, more than 1,500 new immigrants from 65 nations have participated in 91亚色鈥檚 IEP bridging programs. The IEP program certificates in Canadian Business and Information Technology are funded by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. These certificate programs provide newcomer professionals with international credentials, an understanding of Canadian work culture and education in their respective fields.

鈥淥ur aim is to empower individuals to unlock their full potential and contribute meaningfully to their chosen fields in Canada,鈥� says Art Noordeh, IEP bridging program director and faculty lead, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS). Participants in the bridging programs complete credit courses in their professional field to gain a University certificate that helps them achieve local professional accreditation. These certificate programs support newcomers with career coaching and networking.

Wednesday鈥檚 celebration will open with a welcome message from Noordeh, followed by greetings from Vice-Provost Academic Marcia Annisette. Associate Dean Global and Community Engagement, LA&PS Maria Jo茫o Maciel Jorge will deliver a congratulatory message to the recent grads.

鈥淎s someone who immigrated from the Azores in Portugal, I resonate deeply with the journey of establishing a life in a new country and the importance of preparing oneself for success in new and unfamiliar settings,鈥� says Maciel Jorge. 鈥淭his bridging program serves as a vital resource, aiding skilled and educated newcomers in navigating the challenges they often face when pursuing employment in a new environment.鈥�

Also speaking at the ceremony is Md Jubayed Rahman, an IEP graduate who immigrated to Canada from Bangladesh and is now employed as a senior financial analyst at REF Automation Ltd. 鈥淭hrough the program, I improved my communication skills, landed an interview, and met many interesting people,鈥� says Rahman. Coming to Canada, he understood that success in his field required more than just prior experience. The IEP program provided him with insights into Canadian-specific accounting standards. 鈥淚 have gained knowledge about Canadian tax and accounting standards, which has put me in a better position to pursue more opportunities in the job market,鈥� he says.

IEP graduate Maryam (Masha) Tarhini 鈥� who is Ukrainian-Lebanese and immigrated to Canada via Qatar 鈥� will share her experience about the bridging program at Wednesday鈥檚 ceremony as well. 鈥淚t connected me with incredible colleagues from diverse backgrounds, offering both learning opportunities and friendships, something I consider invaluable as a newcomer,鈥� she says of the certificate program. Attending 91亚色 job fairs and networking events further boosted her confidence: 鈥渉elping me see my worth through others鈥� reactions to my education and experience reassured me.鈥�

Many of the grads being recognized overcame barriers by participating in the certificate program, which helps IEPs transition into employment that matches their education, skills and work experience. ()

鈥淛oining the IEP program was a life-changing experience for me. It not only equipped me with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the Canadian job market but also gave me a sense of belonging in a new country,鈥� says Edosa Tamene, a graduate from Ethiopia receiving his certificate in Canadian Business at the ceremony. 鈥淭he supportive community and the friendships I made helped me overcome the challenges of starting fresh. Thanks to the program, I found my first job in Canada and felt truly at home.鈥� While completing the program, Tamene landed a job as a customer relations associate with Winters Instruments.

鈥淭he IEP program is a door to opportunities, helping you turn your dreams into reality in your dream country,鈥� says Sima Gul Qasemi, one of the day鈥檚 graduates who immigrated to Canada from Afghanistan and is now working as a customer experience associate at Scotiabank. 鈥淭hrough my courses, I gained valuable skills that I applied in my workplace. By demonstrating my abilities, I earned a promotion, strengthening my background in my field and allowing me to compete in the Canadian job market.鈥� Qasemi is being recognized for her career success while enrolled in the program.

Reflecting on her experience in the certificate program, Tarhini has advice for other newcomers: 鈥淓mbrace every opportunity, connect with others, and trust in your journey. Your experiences and skills matter more than you think.鈥�

The graduates being recognized at Wednesday's ceremony come from 25 countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Mexico, Mongolia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Senegal, Taiwan, Turkey, Uganda, and Ukraine.

91亚色 staff, partners, friends and families of the recent graduates will be in attendance at Wednesday鈥檚 event. A networking session at the end of the ceremony will give an opportunity for alumni, students and guests to connect.

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A celebratory event will honour the many internationally educated professionals who recently participated in 91亚色鈥檚 program that helps newcomers to overcome barriers in their career path  

TORONTO, Wednesday, July 17, 2024 鈥� 91亚色 is hosting Celebrate Success July 2024: Internationally Educated Professionals (IEP) Bridging Program, today at the , at 7:00 p.m. The first in-person ceremony since the pandemic, is in honour of program graduates, many of whom have overcome barriers as newcomers to Canada.

鈥淭he IEP Bridging Program not only opened my eyes to the abundance of opportunities but also breathed life into my dreams,鈥� says Dawit Gulta, who is among 68 graduates from two professional certificate programs 鈥� Certificate in Canadian Business and Certificate in Information Technology 鈥� and are originally from Africa, Europe, Central and South America, East and South Asia, and the Middle Easte.

For more than a decade, over 1500 new Canadians like Gulta, from 65 countries have participated in IEP programs in these certificate programs and the Foundation program.  Offered by the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies (LA&PS), these programs support newcomers with career coaching and networking opportunities and to help them develop an action plan tailored to their individual skills development and career path.

Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, these certificate programs help participants to complete credit courses in their fields, which can also help them to achieve professional accreditation in Canada. The Foundation program, which is focused on helping newcomers to hone soft skills in the Canadian context, is funded by federal government鈥檚 Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

鈥淭he Bridge Training Program supports new Canadians so they can start a new and better life in Ontario for themselves and their families,鈥� says Patrice Barnes, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development and Member of Provincial Parliament. 鈥淥ur government is proud to support this program, which helps newcomers find employment in their trade or profession, and gives them the tools they need to be successful throughout their career.鈥�

Barnes is scheduled to participate in today鈥檚 celebrations and bring greetings to the graduates from the provincial funder.听Other attendees will include Provost & Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps, who will offer the opening remarks, and Michele Johnson, interim dean of LA&PS.

鈥淗aving immigrated from Jamaica myself, I understand the significance of building a foundation in a new country and equipping yourself for success in unfamiliar surroundings,鈥� says Johnson. 鈥淚 am proud to be part of a Faculty that provides an outstanding Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Professionals, supporting students from diverse backgrounds worldwide.鈥�

鈥淥ur aim is to empower individuals to unlock their full potential and contribute meaningfully to their chosen fields in Canada,鈥� says Art Noordeh, who has served as the director of the IEP Bridging Program since its inception, explaining how the program supports IEPs transition into employment that matches their education, skills and work experience.

Gulta, who immigrated from Ethiopia and is receiving a Certificate in Information Technology, says, 鈥淭he program provided insights into the Canadian labour market, enhancing my understanding of industry trends and employer expectations. It equipped me with job search strategies, including resume writing and interview preparation, to effectively compete in the job market.鈥� He is currently working toward a graduate degree in Big Data & Data Analytics at 91亚色 and is a Mitacs graduate student intern at the Sunnybrook Research Institute.

Another graduate, Eva Yuanyuan Han who is originally from China, shares her experience: 鈥淚 learned essential knowledge and methodologies through the specialized courses in Public Administration.The practicum course allowed me to practice in a real public sector work setting, which led to my current job.鈥�

She joined the Ontario Ministry of Health as a Resource Analyst in May, graduating with a Certificate in Canadian Business in the Public Administration stream.

91亚色 staff, partners, friends and families of the graduates will also be in attendance at the event. A networking session at the end of the ceremony will give an opportunity for alumni, students and guests to connect.

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TORONTO, March 30, 2017 鈥� After arriving in Canada more than four years ago, marketing professional Olha Shmanko sent out many unsuccessful job applications. She couldn鈥檛 land a job in her own field because she either did not have Canadian experience or was over qualified. Today, she is well employed as a planning analyst in part thanks to the help of . The Ukrainian immigrant was among the graduates at a celebratory event, Monday, March 27.

For immigrants like Shmanko, the certificate helps them bridge the gap between the professional skills and experience they obtained in their respective countries, and employability in Canada.

鈥淎t 91亚色, much like Canada, our diversity is our strength,鈥� said Mamdouh Shoukri, President and Vice-Chancellor, 91亚色. 鈥淣ewcomers to Canada bring with them incredible skills and experience needed to be successful, and we are proud to help them bridge gaps, earn professional designations, and expand their professional networks toward fulfilling careers in Ontario.

Ananya Mukherjee-Reed, dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, shared her experience and offered advice to the students. 鈥淚 clearly remember what it is like to be newly arrived, with all the anxiety, uncertainties and unknowns,鈥� said Mukherjee-Reed. "I鈥檓 proof that Canada is a land of stunning opportunities. And 91亚色 gave me the ground under my feet. I have every confidence that adding your 91亚色 experience to your already impressive credentials will lead you to those worlds that may be difficult to imagine today.鈥�

The Ontario Government funds the Bridge Training Program offered by 91亚色 that provides IEPs with a solid foundation and understanding of Canadian business culture and professional context.

鈥淪killed workers from around the world are welcomed in Ontario. They are important to build today's workforce and strengthen our economy,鈥� said the Hon. Laura Albanese, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. 鈥淥ntario鈥檚 bridge training fills the critical gap for newcomers who have good skills but need licensing and certification to be able to use those skills in their chosen professions.鈥�

Graduate , speaking at the event about his new found career success said, 鈥淭his new position is a perfect match for me 鈥� aligning both my educational and work experience backgrounds.鈥� The senior business analyst acknowledges the value of 91亚色鈥檚 bridging program, 鈥淭his program had a key role in helping me secure employment in my own profession and getting a promotion.鈥�

Many of the program participants recognized at the event have overcome common barriers by participating in the certificate program offered by the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, which helps IEPs transition into employment that matches their education, skills and work experience.

The included citizens and permanent residents originally from Africa, China, Europe, Central and South Americas, South Asia and the Middle East.

NOTE: Graduates of 91亚色 IEP Bridging Program are available for media interviews upon request.

is known for championing new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-discipline programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91亚色 students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world鈥檚 most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91亚色 U is an internationally recognized research university 鈥� our 11 faculties and 26 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, 91亚色 is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 295,000 alumni. 91亚色 U's fully bilingual Glendon campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

听Media contact:
Gloria Suhasini, Media Relations, 416 736 2100 ext. 22094, suhasini@yorku.ca

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