Canada Immigration has introduced a new class of immigration in the 2007 budget. This new class of immigration, known as the Canadian experience class is to be implemented this year. With over 240,000 new immigrants expected this year, Minister Finley, the Immigration minister of Canada, ensures us that "Canada continues to grow and benefit from all that newcomers and their families bring to our country." (CIC)
This class of Canadian immigration will accept applications from international students studying in Canada and temporary workers employed in Canada who have relevant Canadian experience. The one main benefit of this class of immigration is that the person is allowed to apply for permanent residency from within Canada. A person who will become a permanent resident under this class of Canada immigration will have no trouble getting jobs in Canada or adjusting to Canadian life because they are already part of the community here.
Citizenship and Immigration states that the Canadian Experience Class should add to other initiatives set up to address labour market needs and to help in the integration of newcomers to Canada (CIC). One such initiative was the Foreign Credentials Referral program set up to help immigrants under the skilled worker class find relevant jobs in their fields of expertise. This program provides assessments of credentials for skilled workers. Unfortunately, such programs are so inaccessible and inadequate that skilled workers are unsuccessful in their pursuit of a successful life in Canada. Many end up doing general labour way below their expertise.
The main problem that these initiatives fail to address is the lack of opportunity to gain Canadian experience. Most employers only consider candidates who have relevant Canadian experience. Getting your credentials assessed does not ensure a job. When applying for a job in their field, employers look for the experience to back up the education. When applying for jobs below their skill level, employers disregard the resume on the basis that the candidate is over-qualified for the job. Skilled workers struggle for years on end to get a little bit closer to the position they left in their home countries when immigrating to Canada.
The Canadian Experience class ensures that the person seeking permanent residency is well-equipped with Canadian education and/or relevant work experience. This class of Canadian immigration is by far the most positive class of immigration that ensures the prospective immigrant's success in Canadian life. Other programs, such as the skilled worker class of immigration, where they look great on paper, are not practical.
