加拿大移民、难民和公民部部长肖恩·弗雷泽近日宣布了一项新的临时措施，旨在为临时外国工人提供更多的学习机会和教育资源。根据这项措施，外国工人将可以在不需要学习许可的情况下参加任意长度的学习计划 。
每年，数千名临时外国工人来到加拿大，为本国的经济发展和填补劳动力市场的空缺做出了重要贡献。然而，由于之前的政策限制，外国工人在追求更多学习和培训机会时面临一些障碍。以往，外国工人只能在工作期间参加为期不超过6个月的学习计划，对于较长的课程，他们需要另外申请学习许可证。 这给那些希望提高教育水平、获得更多培训或验证外国学历的人带来了困扰。
为了解决这一问题，加拿大政府推出了这项为期3年的临时措施 。根据新政策，外国工人可以在工作许可证有效期间或政策到期之前全日制或兼职学习，而且不再限制学习计划的长度。 这意味着外国工人可以更灵活地选择适合自己需求的学习项目，并有更多机会提升自己的技能和知识。
这项临时措施的实施将为外国工人提供更多的发展机会和职业前景。通过参加更长的学习计划，他们可以获得更深入的知识和专业技能，提高自己在职场上的竞争力。此外，这项政策也将为外国工人提供更多转换为永久居留权的机会，进一步促进他们在加拿大的定居和发展。
该临时措施适用于持有有效工作许可证或在2023年6月7日之前提交了工作许可证续签申请并获得工作许可的人。 对于那些希望学习时间超过工作许可证有效期的外国工人，仍然需要申请学习许可证。
加拿大一直以来都欢迎外国工人的到来，他们为加拿大的多元化和经济繁荣做出了重要贡献。这项新的临时措施将进一步促进外国工人的发展和成功，为他们提供更多学习和成长的机会。同时，这也将有助于加强加拿大作为一个全球人才吸引力的国家形象，吸引更多有才华和技能的人才来到这里，共同建设加拿大的未来。
New measure to benefit foreign workers looking to improve their skills
From: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
News release
Study authorization extended for work permit holders
June 27, 2023—Ottawa— Every year, thousands of temporary foreign workers bring their skills to Canada, helping to drive our economy and fill critical labour market gaps. While they play an important role in Canada’s prosperity, foreign workers sometimes face barriers in the types of study programs in which they can enrol to pursue their dreams and create new opportunities.
Today, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced a new temporary measure that removes the limit on the length of the study programs that temporary foreign workers can enrol in without a study permit.
Starting immediately, foreign workers will have the opportunity to seek additional training and education that can help them in their careers. This measure will also help foreign workers expand their future job prospects and increase their opportunities to transition to permanent residence. Prior to this change, foreign workers could study while working, but only in programs of 6 months or less. For longer programs, they had to apply for a separate study permit. This has been a barrier for those who wish to improve their education and receive more training, including those needing to upskill or validate their foreign credentials through certain programs.
With this new 3-year temporary measure, foreign workers can study full time or part time while their work permits are valid or until the expiration of the policy, with no restrictions on the length of the program.
This temporary measure applies to those who hold a valid work permit or who have submitted an application to renew their work permit on or before June 7, 2023, and are authorized to work. If a foreign worker wishes to study longer than the duration of their work permit, they still need to apply for a study permit.
Quotes
“Temporary foreign workers are incredibly important for the Canadian economy, and many have aspirations that go far beyond the work that initially brings them to Canada. With this policy in place, we hope to empower foreign nationals to improve their skills in order to meet their career goals and achieve their dreams, while providing a future potential source of talent for our labour market. By removing barriers to skills development, we open the door to more foreign-trained doctors and nurses to help take care of our loved ones and support our healthcare system. We also provide a path for construction labourers to become tradespersons, and strengthen our communities and build new homes. This immigration measure helps employers, workers, and our economy by addressing critical labour shortages. This is welcome news for all parties involved.”
– The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Quick facts
Immigration accounts for almost all of Canada’s labour force growth. Roughly 75% of Canada’s population growth comes from immigration, mostly in the economic category. By 2036, immigrants will represent up to 30% of Canada’s population, compared to 20.7% in 2011.
While 50 years ago, there were 7 workers for every retiree in Canada, today, that ratio is closer to 3 to 1. And if Canada stays on its current trajectory, in the next 10 to 15 years, it will drop to 2 workers for every retiree.
According to the Global Employability Rankings, international employers recently ranked Canada’s education system in the top 10.
Any Canadian work experience gained during a period of full-time study does not count toward eligibility for the Canadian Experience Class, nor can students earn Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for it.
However, this temporary public policy could help more foreign nationals increase the likelihood that they receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry. Candidates may be able to increase their CRS score by, for example, achieving a higher level of education or by gaining qualifying work experience during part-time studies.
In addition, further studies could help candidates increase their CRS points by improving their French or English proficiency or by gaining experience in higher-skilled employment as a result of enhanced skills acquired through studies.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will evaluate the outcomes of this temporary public policy and use that information to drive possible future policy changes.
