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Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Professionals Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
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Foundation Admission Requirements

Are you interested in applying to the IEP Foundations Program? This program offers free access to language training, two courses, career coaching and events to eligible accepted candidates. To find out more about the program and how to apply please review our brochure below or sign up to attend an information session.

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Applications for the 2025 IEP Bridging Programs are now open!

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Are you new to the country, internationally educated and looking to kick start your career in Canada?

We are now accepting applications to our IEP Foundation and Certificate Programs. Sign up for our mailing list to join our applicant pool and learn more about how to apply. 

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Application Criteria

Interested applicants MUST meet the following criteria:

  • Living in Canada 3 years or less is preferred, or no more than 5 years.
  • Have a minimum of a recognized bachelor’s degree in a related Business, IT or HR discipline from a non-Canadian university or institution.
  • Be a Permanent Resident, Convention Refugee or recognized Protected Person (as defined per article 95 of Immigration and Refugee Protection Act S.C. 2001, c. 27) or a Palestinian from the Gaza or West Bank in Canada with required immigration status documentation which includes the code “MOME2023”. 
  • Have related professional work experience outside Canada – typically 3+ years of professional experience preferred; and
  • Have a good command of the English language – proven by submitting a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Test result completed in the past 24 months.  Candidates with CLB 7+ in all areas in Speaking, Listening, Writing and Reading are preferred. Candidates with a mix of 6-8 CLB scores can apply for consideration. Book a CLB test if you don’t already have a score.

Note:

Refugee claimants, CUAET Visa holders and new Canadian citizens are only eligible to apply to the IEP Certificate Programs – they are not eligible for the Foundation Program due to program funding criteria.

For more information on how to obtain your CLB score, visit the Achēv website or YMCA Language Service.

More information about the CLB test can be found on the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks website or by reviewing the CLB benchmark guide.

Sign-up for an Information Session

Come to our info sessions to get more details and connect with our staff.

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Frequently Asked Questions

This bridging program has been developed for skilled immigrants who have immigrated to Canada within the last 3 years, with international post-secondary education (minimum of a recognized bachelor’s degree) and professional work experience. Specifically, it focuses on supporting those immigrants who do not have Canadian experience in their field to gain skills, University courses or qualification and supports to bridge into the labour market.

Internationally educated professionals may face the following barriers when trying to enter the labour force: 

  • Lack of recognition of international education, training, and experience. 
  • Insufficient information about local employment opportunities and requirements. 
  • Lack of professional networks and social in Canada. 
  • Lack of occupation-specific terminology in English; and/or, 
  • Difficulty obtaining Canadian work experience. 

There are several objectives to the bridging program provided by the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. Included:

Better prepare foreign-educated professionals for their careers through access to IEP Canadian Workplace foundation program and specialized skills courses, filling local knowledge and skills gaps.

To convene and collaborate with partners, creating opportunities for skilled immigrants to connect to the local labor market.

To work with key stakeholders, particularly employers, building their awareness and capacity to better integrate skilled immigrants into the workforce.

The program is scheduled to take place over four months starting in August on weekday evenings and with some optional Saturday mornings for language support classes.

It is anticipated that all students admitted to this program have English language skills—both verbal and written to the level of CLB 8. However, there are language support courses offered throughout the Bridging Program for those who require enhancement of their English and to be prepared for the corporate environment students take the foundation course in Canadian Business Communication. All students will be assessed to identify their current ability and determine which class of English training they should attend.

Admission to the Bridging Program includes access to Career services, such as Career Coaching, Job Search and Career Development Workshops.

Currently, the Bridging Program is NOT eligible for OSAP funding, the two courses in the Foundation program receive a fee waiver so participants are not required to pay fees for courses they complete, and all language and career supports are free and laptop loans are available for those without computers.  At our information sessions, we can provide you with more information as well about options for access to community immigrant loan micro programs as well.

You are required to provide proof of your CLB level, with a copy of your test results issued within the last 24 months.

Achēv currently offers an online CLB-PT Assessment. You must contact them by phone and request an appointment specifically for a CLB-PT Test. Visit the Achēv website for a list of locations and their contact details.

The YMCA also does free CLB testing but note due to COVID-19, YMCA offices and other testing centres maybe temporarily closed, please contact YMCA at 416-925-5462 or email them at test@YMCAGTA.ORG to add yourself on their CLB testing wait list.

If you are unable to write your CLB Test before the application deadline, while you are waiting for your appointment, we can accept other interim proof of English Language proficiency (e.g. a letter from your most recent English language instructor noting your CLB level). Alternatively, you also can do the CLB-OSA assessment online.

You are required to submit a CLB test result once Testing Centres reopen.

To discuss if you qualify or if you require more information on admissions, please email your questions with a copy of your resume and degree(s) to IEP@yorku.ca before applying.

The Bridging Program is designed to best suit the needs of NEW immigrants who have been in Canada LESS than 3 years. This is because the objective of the bridging program is to better prepare internationally educated professionals for careers in their respective fields here in Ontario. Nevertheless, those who have been in Canada slightly longer than 3 years and less than 5 years are still welcome to contact us to discuss your eligibility.

For equity purposes, we ask all applicants (regardless of country of origin or language of education) to submit scores in the Canadian Language Benchmark Test. No other test results are necessary for application.

Pour des services d’établissement et emploi en français et/ou la formation linguistique en français, veuillez contacter Centre Francophone du Grand Toronto / Tel: 416-922-2672 ou Services Emploi 416-962-4600.

Rendez-vous sur ce site pour trouver des services gratuits pour les nouveaux arrivants près de chez vous pour vous connecter à tous les fournisseurs francophones disponibles dans votre région.

Go to find free newcomer services near you to search and connect to the available Francophone providers in your area.

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