Canada's citizenship, immigration, and multiculturalism minister Jason Kenney announced on Wednesday some important changes in the Federal Skilled Worker Program.In June 2012, the minister had frozen all applications pending changes to the single largest category for immigration to Canada. The new selection system for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) will take effect from May 4, 2013, when the program will re-open for applicants.
"Our transformational changes to the (program) will help ensure that skilled newcomers are able to contribute their skills fully to the economy as soon as possible. This is good for newcomers, good for the economy, and good for all Canadians." the minister said.
Jason Kenney added: "The development of new Federal Skilled Worker Program has taken about four years."
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It is expected that under the new rules, applications will now be processed in a few months and would-be immigrants will not have to wait for years. Also, in order to prevent huge backlogs, caps will be introduced in different categories.
On August 18, 2012 in the Canada Gazette, the minister had identified the issue thus: "Research indicates that despite having higher levels of education than the general Canadian population, new immigrants continue to be subject to higher levels of unemployment and lower wages than Canadian-born workers. The top three barriers highly educated immigrants face in obtaining Canadian employment commensurate with their skills and education are: the lack of official language skills, the non-transferability of their foreign credentials and a lack of Canadian work experience."
The main objectives of the new FSW program are: To update the FSWC by rebalancing the points among existing criteria, to introduce mandatory language thresholds requiring an educational credential assessment at the time of application if the educational credential submitted is from a foreign jurisdiction, to streamline the arranged employment process, and to reduce the potential for fraudulent job offers under the Arranged Employment factor;
What's changed?
The passing grade for points remains at 67 out of 100.
Language (maximum 24 points): From 16 to 28 points - the 12-point increase is the single largest category in the point roster. The test itself will no longer be a self-declared test but will go through either IELTS or CELPIP external testing bodies. Secondary language points will be reduced from 8 to 4.
Language levels with corresponding points will include soft skills and workplace language proficiencies like:
Basic: Understands the main points and important details of a conversation and can write routine business correspondence; able to participate in small group discussions and express opinions and reservations about a topic.
Moderate: Understands technical conversations and reading material in their line of work; asks questions, analyzes and compares information in order to make decisions.
High: Participates in business meetings and debates; understands a broad range of general and abstract topics; writes formal and informal notes and summary documents.
Age (maximum 12 points): The old system gave 10 points to anyone between 21 to 49 years and continued awarding points for age until 53. The revised selection grid would favour younger immigrants by awarding a maximum of 12 points for applicants aged 18 to 35, compared to applicants aged 21 to 49 who receive maximum points for age under the current grid, with one point being deducted per year with no points from age 47.
Education (maximum 25 points): Points will be based on Canadian educational credentials so all applicants will have to submit their qualifications to a credential evaluation service. Those wishing to work in regulated occupations will need the Canadian regulatory body to approve them.
A list of assessment organizations designated by the minister will be made available soon. The assessment of foreign educational credentials will provide prospective newcomers with a more realistic understanding of how their credentials compare to education standards in Canada. It will also give them the opportunity to upgrade their education prior to coming to Canada if they choose.
Work experience (maximum 15 points): The number of points allocated for work experience will be reduced to 15 from 21. However, if applicants have at least one year of Canadian work experience, they would get double the points than with the previous system.
Arranged employment (maximum 10 Points): The previous process of Arranged Employment Opinion has been eliminated. All applicants must now apply to Service Canada for Labour Market Opinions (LMO). Adaptability could add an extra 5 points.
Adaptability (maximum 10 points): One-year of skilled work experience will get 10 points under the new rules. Spouses, however, would get 5 points for the same one-year experience. In order to claim 5 points for a relative in Canada, the relative must be at least 18 years of age.
Nick Noorani is an immigration champion, social entrepreneur and Managing Partner of Prepare for Canada an online magazine for immigrants pre-arrival and post. He can be reached at nick@nicknoorani.com
