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

Interested applicants MUST meet the following criteria:

  • Be a permanent resident, landed immigrant, convention refugee, refugee claimant with a work permit or Canadian citizen and reside in Ontario at time of applying;
  • Have a minimum of a recognized non-Canadian bachelor’s degree in business, IT or a related discipline;
  • Have related professional work experience outside Canada - 3+ years professional experience preferred;
  • Living in Canada 3 years or less – no more than 5 years; and
  • Have a good command of the English language - proven by submitting a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Test result completed in the past 12 months. Candidates with CLB 8 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 haven't already.

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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 a 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 the foundation and specialized skills that fill the 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.

Generally, the program takes about 1.5 years and is part-time approximately 2 nights per week. Students applying will begin the program by participating in Jumpstart to Success (a pre-qualifying session). Thereafter, we require students take 2 courses per term (4 academic terms). They will start their first academic term taking two foundation courses. As flexibility is a key component of this program, students do have the opportunity to schedule themselves in more than 2 courses per term if they wish, allowing them to 'fast-track'. But we do not recommend that students take less than two courses per term.

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.

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 CLBA assessment online at The Centre for Education and Training here (link to https://www.clb-osa.ca/).

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. Due to COVID 19 and closures we do accept IELTS scores or CLB online assessments until offices re-open.

How to Apply

Currently, we are not accepting applications for the Canadian business and IT certificates. To attend an information session, please fill out the form to be informed of the next intake.