Editorial

In our Issue 29 profile of former Ontario Immigration Minister Michael Chan, he said, “I love bridge training programs because they give people a job, and the right job. The job they want.”

This opinion is shared by many people in the settlement sector, and why not? Bridging programs boast outstanding success rates. Some of them claim 100 percent placement of graduates. Programs can be as short as a few weeks and seldom take longer than a year or two to complete.

Bridge training programs don’t work for everybody, in every field – and in some fields, they simply aren’t available – but when a good bridge training program is developed and put in place, it is probably more effective and efficient in helping new immigrants get the right job than any other type of program. Many include placement (or at least internship) as part of the program.

Waiting lists and strict screening of applicants can be discouraging, but it is still worthwhile to look into and apply for these programs. If you aren’t accepted into the program you want, then keep working toward your goals. Keep taking English classes or whatever courses you think may help – and apply again during the next semester. If there is more than one relevant program available – apply to several.

Governments and institutions respond to demand. When there are many more applicants than there are available spaces, this tells them that the programs should be expanded. So if you can’t get in this year, there may be more opportunity next year.

Services available in Canada are constantly being changed and modified. Programs appear and disappear on a regular basis, so our directory cannot be as comprehensive as we would like. But we hope this is a good starting point for your Bridge to Success in Canada.

Dale Sproule,
Editor