Adult learning: Ontario Bridge Training Program

About the program

Bridge training programs are for eligible immigrants and are designed to "bridge" your international training and experience with access to the supports you need to get a license or certificate to work in your profession or trade in Ontario.

Through bridge training programs, you can get:

• an assessment of your skills
• skills or academic training
• clinical or job placements to help you get Canadian workplace experience
• mentoring or networking with employers
• license or certification exam preparation
• employment supports, like resume preparation, labour market orientation, mock interviews, job search supports, etc.

Not-for-profit organizations provide the training programs and service providers that include:  

• universities and publicly-funded colleges
• occupational regulatory bodies
• community agencies
• employer organizations

Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old and a resident of Ontario. You must have international postsecondary education or international work experience and possess a valid Canadian work permit.

In addition, you must be one of the following:

• refugee claimant with a valid work permit
• permanent resident
• Convention refugee
• Canadian citizen

Service providers may have additional eligibility requirements.

This program might be good for you if you:

• have already had a career in your home country
• would like to work in the same or similar field in Canada

Program cost

Additional support

You may benefit from:

• The Ontario Bridging Participant Assistance Program (OBPAP) is a bursary that helps eligible internationally trained professionals pay for bridge training.
• The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a financial aid program that helps eligible internationally trained professionals pay for college or university.
• Windmill Microlending provides loans that can help internationally trained professionals pay for bridge training.

Other resources

Learn about other services available in Ontario to help you continue working in your profession or trade if you’ve been trained in another country.

How to register

1. Contact a service provider to discuss your experience and goals.

2. The service provider will give you the steps to follow to help you continue to work in your profession or trade.

Find a training program

The professions and trades in the table below are part of the Ontario Bridge Training Program.

The table does not include all professions or trades. See the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials directory if a training organization for your occupation is not listed.

Profession/ Trade/Occupation	Service Provider	Training Location
Accounting	Chinese Professional Association of Canada (CPAC)	Toronto
Architecture	JVS Toronto	Toronto
Business for Francophone Internationally Trained Individuals	York University, Glendon Campus	Toronto
Business	York University	Toronto
Business (Conference Interpreting)	York University, Glendon Campus	Toronto
Business Connections en Français	Accessible Community Counselling and Employment Services (ACCES)	Brampton/Mississauga, Greater Toronto Area
Electrical Engineer	Accessible Community Counselling and Employment Services (ACCES)	Brampton
Engineering: Professional Engineering	Ontario Society of Professional Engineers	London Mississauga Ottawa Toronto
Engineering	Accessible Community Counselling and Employment Services (ACCES) Humber College Ryerson University	Brampton/Mississauga, Greater Toronto Area Toronto Toronto
Engineering: Building Operations and Facilities Management	Seneca College	North York
Engineering: Environmental Engineering	Toronto and Region Conservation Authority	North York, Greater Toronto Area
Environmental Sector	Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Ryerson University	North York, Greater Toronto Area Toronto
Financial Services	Accessible Community Counselling and Employment Services (ACCES) Seneca College University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management	Brampton/Mississauga, Greater Toronto Area Markham, Greater Toronto Area Toronto
Geoscience	Ontario Society of Professional Engineers Toronto and Region Conservation Authority	London Mississauga Ottawa Toronto North York, Greater Toronto Area
Healthcare	Collège Boréal d'Arts Appliqués et de Technologie JVS Toronto La Cité Collégiale The Catholic Centre for Immigrants Ottawa-Centre Catholique pour Immigrants Ottawa The Learning Enrichment Foundation	Hamilton London Mississauga Windsor Toronto Ottawa Ottawa Toronto
Healthcare: Medical Graduates	Ryerson University	Toronto
Healthcare: Medical Laboratory Technologist	Canadian Medical Laboratory Science	Toronto
Healthcare: Mental Health	Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto	Toronto
Healthcare: Midwifery	Ryerson University	Toronto
Healthcare: Nursing	CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses Hamilton Health Sciences Trent University	Brampton Hamilton Kingston London Mississauga Toronto Hamilton Peterborough
Healthcare: Optometry	University of Waterloo - School of Optometry and Vision Science	Waterloo
Healthcare: Physiotherapy	University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy	Toronto
Human Resources	Accessible Community Counselling and Employment Services (ACCES)	Brampton/Mississauga, Greater Toronto Area
Industrial Electrician	Skills for Change	Toronto
Industrial Millwright	Skills for Change	Toronto
Information Technology	Accessible Community Counselling and Employment Services (ACCES) Humber College (IT Infrastructure; .NET Developer programs)	Brampton/Mississauga, Greater Toronto Area Toronto
Leadership Training	Accessible Community Counselling and Employment Services (ACCES)	Brampton/Mississauga, Greater Toronto Area
Media and Communications	Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto	North York
Plumbing	La Cité Collégiale Skills for Change	Ottawa Toronto
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanics	La Cité Collégiale Skills for Change	Ottawa Toronto
Sales and Marketing	Accessible Community Counselling and Employment Services (ACCES)	Brampton/Mississauga, Greater Toronto Area
Sales and Service (Designer, Customer Service, Assistant Manager, Administrative Assistant, Bilingual Customer Service)	Accessible Community Counselling and Employment Services (ACCES)	Brampton
Social Services	JVS Toronto Ryerson University	Toronto Toronto
Supply Chain/Logistics	Accessible Community Counselling and Employment Services (ACCES) Humber College	Brampton/Mississauga, Greater Toronto Area Toronto
Teaching: Francophone Teachers and Teaching Assistants	CEPAP	Ottawa
Various Occupations: Mentoring	Niagara Workforce Planning Board Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) WIL Counselling and Training for Employment	St. Catherines Toronto London
Various Occupations: Training	Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) WIL Counselling and Training for Employment	Toronto London
Welder	Skills for Change	Toronto