July 2, 2010-Douglas College helps new Canadians fill health care gaps

Like many new immigrants, Mahshid G. and Hooman S. faced their share of challenges when they came to Canada from Iran in 2007.

They had no family or friends in their new country. And despite being medical doctors in their own countries, they had zero job prospects in Canada.

"It was hard to go from a high level in your society to a situation where you are jobless," says Mahshid. "It's worth it in the end, because it's a better life here for us."

Shortly after coming to Canada, the couple discovered the Training Group at Douglas College Skills Connect for Immigrants Program, which helps new Canadians find employment in their field of expertise.

Today, they are among 18 new Canadians who started medical residencies on July 1 through the Ministry of Health's International Medical Graduates of British Columbia Program. Hooman heads into a five year orthopedic surgery residency, while Mahshid is working in family medicine for two years.

"Skilled immigrants are a rich and untapped resource that can help fill important gaps in the labour market, particularly in important areas like health care," says Lois Taylor, who manages the Skills Connect for Immigrants Program at Douglas College. "These clients have devoted a great deal of time and energy to achieve their goals, as have the Douglas College Skills Connect Career Consultants who assisted them through the licensing process, so we're very proud of what they have achieved together."

"Skills Connect was a huge help for both of us," says Mahshid. "When we began the exams that are part of the licensing process for International Medical Grads, I was so busy studying and taking care of our baby son that I couldn't take a job. The program helped pay a portion of the costs of our exams and helped me access a child care subsidy, which allowed us to focus on our studies. Any time I felt I needed suggestions and feedback about what should I do, such as how to dress for an interview, my counselor there to contribute her knowledge and precious time to me."

"Coming to a new country can be very difficult, but Skills Connect was there to open the door and give us the opportunity to succeed," said Hooman. "We are very grateful and Canadians should be proud of this program."

Skills Connect for Immigrants helps new Canadians find employment in their field of expertise by offering a range of services, including career development workshops and one-on-one sessions with career consultants to help develop job search skills. Skills Connect for Immigrants services are delivered at sites throughout the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley in Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford and Chilliwack. The Skills Connect for Immigrants program is part of the WelcomeBC umbrella of services, made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.