Chamber win: New legislation aims to streamline credential recognition for newcomers

The Chamber has long called for a more sensible approach to recognizing the skills newcomers bring to Canada. We’ve all heard the stories of trained doctors driving cabs and other professionals who can’t work in their chosen field despite high demand for their service.

“That is changing. I’m thrilled to share the news that British Columbia is moving to help regulatory bodies improve the process of credential recognition,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “We hear all the time from employers who are frustrated because they need workers but can’t hire qualified newcomers because they were trained out of province.”

Upcoming legislation will streamline pathways for skilled people with international credentials while maintaining standards and safety.

According to the provincial government, 387,000 newcomers are expected to enter the B.C. workforce, filling 38% of job openings over the next 10 years.