Other Educational Institutions

Ontario colleges and institutes are partnering amongst themselves mostly on provincially funded initiatives aimed at the integration of immigrants. Some examples of these initiatives are provided in section 2.2.4 on bridging programs. The initiative on overseas services for prospective immigrants involving a consortium of 3 colleges/institutes and 3 universities, is an example of a partnership between colleges and universities.

3. Challenges and Barriers

The 20 colleges and institutes that participated in interviews identified the challenges and barriers they face in providing programs and services for immigrants, and the challenges and barriers faced by immigrants in accessing colleges’ and institutes’ programs and services.

3.1 Challenges and Barriers for Colleges and Institutes

Effective Delivery of Language Training

• Offering appropriate levels of language training that meet the needs of immigrants and enable them to enter either post-secondary education or the workforce.
• Effectiveness of web-based approaches or distance education is limited due to the often limited language capacity of immigrants.

Application Processes

• Provincial application processes are too costly and the speed of applications are slowed due to a lack of credential recognition.
• Colleges and institutes need more standardized processes to govern the awarding of advanced. credit to immigrant students

Assessment Services

• Colleges and institutes need to re-examine how they deliver PLAR given the high costs and resources required and the, at times, institutional reluctance to use PLAR.

Inter-cultural and Diversity Awareness

• Institutions are so “siloed” that they are not creating enough “acculturation” opportunities for immigrants across career and technical programs to enable them to understand the rules of workforce engagement, i.e. team work, chains of command, showing initiative and standard practices.