Adult learning: Ontario Bridge Training Program
For skilled immigrants and refugees looking to continue their career in Canada.
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
Learning options
- in class
- online
- combination of in class and online
Schedule options
- part-time or full-time
- daytime and evening
- Monday to Friday and weekend
Program length
- The length will vary depending on the service provider delivering the training and your profession.
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
International students and temporary foreign workers are not eligible.
Program cost
Fees may apply. The amount varies and is established by the service provider.
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
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Contact a service provider to discuss your experience and goals.
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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 |