Bridging programs

• Access and Options Program for International Health Professionals
  The Michener Institute for Applied Health Services runs an Access and
  Options Program for international health professionals in partnership with
  regulatory bodies and other organizations (see http://www.michener.ca/access/)
• International Medical Graduate Program
  The Ontario International Medical Graduate Program is the access route to licensing for IMGs. 50 positions are available in the IMG program each year, leading to post-graduate residency training at one of five Ontario medical schools. The IMG program is targeted to under-serviced disciplines and areas in Ontario (see http://www.library.utoronto.ca/medicine/oimg/).
  
• International Pharmacy Graduate Program
  The International Pharmacy Graduate program is a partnership between University of Toronto and the Ontario College of Pharmacists. It provides academic modules for foreign-trained pharmacists to meet entry-to-practise requirements (see www.newontariopharmacist.com).
• MCTU Bridging Program Development
  MCTU's APT unit is working with regulators, training institutions and employers in a $15-million program funded by the Ontario government, to establish bridging programs for internationally trained professionals. There are bridging programs for nurses, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, midwives, pharmacists, teachers, and engineers. Details appear on their web site (see http://www.equalopportunity.on.ca/eng_g/apt/bridge.html).
• Pathways employment experience program
  The Ontario Society of Professional Engineers in partnership with PEO (the regulatory body), the APT, and other groups have developed the Pathways employment experience program for internationally trained engineers. It helps applicants gain the necessary 12 months' Canadian experience required for licensing. The project is intended to "bridge the Canadian experience gap" identified as a major hurdle for foreign applicants (see www.pathways.ospe.on.ca).
• Pharmacist PLA Process
  The Ontario College of Pharmacists developed a PLA process by adapting the Skills For Change STIC model. They then incorporated profession-specific language testing as part of the process. The report on the Pharmacy/STIC project appears on the web (see www.equalopportunity.on.ca/eng_g/apt/reportphar.html)
• Sector-Specific Terminology, Information, and Counselling project (STIC)
  Skills For Change, with funding from HRDC and MTCU developed the Sector-Specific Terminology, Information, and Counselling project (STIC). (STIC) is a six-week employment preparation program for foreign-trained engineers, accountants, information technology, and health care professionals. It provides occupational terminology and an opportunity to learn about Canadian business practices and workplace culture. The program was developed in cooperation with the regulators in each field and may be a model for other professions.
  
  STIC provides training manuals and self-assessment tools to foreign-trained professionals (in accounting, engineering, health care and IT professions) to speed up their entry into the province's labour market. The materials may be useful to regulators in designing their own materials for access (see www.skillsforchange.org/stic).

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