Two-thirds of Alberta newcomers struggle to get credentials recognized
Study of 500+ recent immigrants shows credential recognition barriers cost thousands and push skilled workers into jobs below their qualifications.
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More than two-thirds of newcomers to Alberta have education or credentials that aren't fully recognized in Canada, leaving many of them underemployed despite holding bachelor's, master's or doctorate degrees, a new study found.
ActionDignity, a local non-profit, surveyed more than 500 recent immigrants living in Calgary and across Alberta. Only 29.1 per cent reported full recognition of their foreign credentials, while 25.9 per cent reported partial recognition. Another 35.2 per cent reported no recognition at all, and 8.5 per cent were still awaiting decisions.
More than half of participants held a bachelor's degree or higher, yet 65 per cent reported underemployment or working jobs below their qualification levels. The credential-recognition process itself becomes a barrier: nearly 40 per cent of those who pursued additional Canadian credentials or training said those processes posed a significant financial burden. Costs range from a few hundred dollars to upwards of $15,000 depending on how regulated a profession is, said Mayssoun Hniedi, manager of employment and career development for The Immigrant Education Society (TIES). Timelines stretch to a year or longer, particularly for refugees obtaining documents from their home country.
For 57.4 per cent of participants, accepting work below their skill level came down to financial necessity. Other barriers compounded the challenge: nearly half cited lack of Canadian work experience, one third pointed to limited professional networks, and 17.8 per cent reported experiencing discrimination or bias.
Pablo Franco, career and employment director for the Centre for Newcomers, said the issue surfaces constantly in his work. "These are highly educated people that come to Canada, to Calgary, and the accreditation process can be slow, and sometimes really challenging," he said. "Many people just decide to go in a different direction. But really, many people just give up on trying to pursue an accreditation here in Canada."
Hiedi noted that while 80 to 90 per cent of newcomers who access TIES supports do find employment, many are unaware such resources exist.
What specific professions face the longest and most expensive credential-recognition timelines?
Do Alberta or federal employment programs currently address credential-recognition barriers, and if so, how many newcomers use them?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
What percentage of Alberta newcomers have their credentials fully recognized in Canada?
Only 29.1 per cent of recent immigrants surveyed in Alberta reported full recognition of their foreign credentials, according to ActionDignity's study of over 500 newcomers in Calgary and across the province.
How much can credential recognition processes cost?
Costs for additional Canadian credentials or training range from a few hundred dollars to over $15,000, depending on how regulated a profession is, according to Mayssoun Hniedi, manager of employment and career development for The Immigrant Education Society.
What percentage of surveyed Alberta newcomers with bachelor's degrees or higher are underemployed?
Among the surveyed Alberta newcomers who held a bachelor's degree or higher, 65 per cent reported underemployment or working jobs below their qualification levels.
How long can credential recognition timelines take?
Timelines for credential recognition stretch to a year or longer, particularly for refugees obtaining documents from their home country.
