You made your decision. You said your goodbyes. Now you’re here in Canada, full of optimism and searching for work.

Chances are you arrived with a post-secondary degree, experience in your field and good references.

But if you’re like many newcomers to Canada, you may initially find it difficult landing a job in your chosen profession. Even the most qualified new immigrants can experience challenges convincing potential employers to hire them.

This happens when an individual’s academic or professional credentials — no matter how impressive to employers back home — are unfamiliar to Canadian firms, or require validation to be recognized by a Canadian professional body.

Fortunately, your overseas credentials don’t have to hold you back.

Immigrants to Canada can enroll in a continuing education program at a school like the University of Toronto to obtain validation for their foreign credentials. Once they’re able to prove that their credentials have Canadian equivalency, they can approach the professional association governing their field and get certified.

To support this process, the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies works collaboratively with professional associations, ensuring that its courses are relevant to the needs of industry, employers and the demands of a global economy. All told, the school — which is an integral part of U of T, the number one ranked university in Canada — offers more than 80 specialized certificate programs, including project management, accounting and engineering.

Academic credential assessments

The School is committed to helping newcomers gain traction more quickly in Canada. Through its Comparative Education Service (CES), it can provide you with a formal credentials assessment report on how your academic credentials from abroad compare to those offered by Canadian institutions. This report can be used when applying for employment or professional certification, pursuing further education, dealing with immigration matters, or, simply, for general information.

As a bonus for individuals who take advantage of its service, CES offers a one-time $200 tuition discount toward any course available at the school.

600 non-degree continuing education courses

Not having the appropriate professional certification upon arrival in Canada is a major problem among new immigrants, but another big issue is career inertia. For a variety of reasons, including a lack of basic industry knowledge specific to Canada and unfamiliarity with Canadian customs, immigrants may find it difficult to move up in their careers.

The School of Continuing Studies is well positioned to help these workers as well. Through more than 600 non-degree courses, delivered by instructors who are recognized leaders in their fields, it offers a wide range of educational experiences designed specifically for adult learners. No matter what work skills you’re looking to enhance, you can find a suitable program and get started. In no time, you’ll be able to transfer your new learning to the workplace, impressing your boss and opening the door to new opportunities.

Flexible study

For some newcomers, the question isn’t whether they need to upgrade their credentials, it’s how and when they can do so. To ensure its courses fit into busy lives, the school offers classes both “in person” in evenings and on weekends and online via computer. In addition, students can choose a hybrid course model, which combines face-to-face learning with an online component.

Currently, one in five courses is offered online, and the school has tripled its hybrid course offerings since 2014.

The University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies is conveniently located at three campuses: U of T Mississauga, U of T Scarborough and downtown St. George. Learners can mix locations — as well as in-class, online and hybrid formats — to create a flexible learning plan that works best for them.

Visit learn.utoronto.ca to learn more about how to further your career and advance your lifelong learning.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced changes to his cabinet this week and appointed Ahmed Hussen as the new Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

Hussen is the member of Parliament for the riding of York South-Weston, and a Member of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. A lawyer and social activist, he has the proven track record of leadership and community empowerment to be the voice in Ottawa that is effective at getting results for York South-Weston.

Born and raised in Somalia, Hussen immigrated to Canada in 1993 where he settled in Regent Park and quickly gravitated toward public service. In 2002, he co-founded the Regent Park Community Council and was able to secure the $500 million revitalization project of Regent Park, all while ensuring the interests of the area’s nearly 15,000 residents were protected.

Hussen currently serves as the National President of the Canadian Somali Congress — a Somali community organization that works with national and regional authorities to advocate on issues of importance to Canadians of Somali heritage and strengthen civic engagement and integration. His results-driven reputation led to an invitation to join the task force for modernizing income security for adults in the Toronto City Summit Alliance.

Hussen is fluent in English, Somali, and Swahili, and earned his B.A (History) from York University and his Law Degree from the University of Ottawa. In 2004, the Toronto Star recognized him as one of ten individuals in Toronto to have made substantial contributions to our community.

Hussen replaces Minister John McCallum, who has served as the immigration minister for more than a year.

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