Innovation Fund Project Grants

College and Association of Acupuncturists of Alberta

Determined the minimum standards for acupuncture education, including admission requirements, core curriculum, minimum length of program, instructor qualification requirement and teaching facility requirement.

Canadian Information Processing Society of Alberta (CIPS)

Carried out an initial research project to establish clearly the target audience and potential clientele for CIPS’ Skill Competency Online Assessment.

Alberta College of Pharmacists (ACP)

Developed an online ethics and jurisprudence learning module.

College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP)

Added database fields to capture scope of professional practice and client types.

College of Dietitians of Alberta (CDA)

Created 4 web-based interactive bridging courses for internationally educated dietitians in collaboration with University of Alberta.

Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta

Set up a Connector program to develop professional networks for Internationally Educated Accountants.

Physiotherapy Alberta College and Association

1. Conducted a review and evaluation of international physiotherapy accreditation programs.
2. Created a multiple-choice knowledge-based online evaluating exam for internationally educated physiotherapists giving access to the national qualifying exam.

The Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET)

Developed training seminars on technical report writing and how to succeed in the professional practice exam (PPE), which internationally educated applicants are required to pass to register in Alberta.

The Alberta Association of Architects

Designed and developed online brochures clearly and adequately explaining the process and requirements of registering as an architect in Alberta.

Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta (ICAA)

Conducted focus group research to explore issues and challenges faced by foreign-trained accountants applying for certification with ICAA. Piloted an ICAA mentorship program to provide foreign-trained accountants with one-on-one guidance, advice and expertise of an experienced CA.

Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta

Contracted a Diversity Advisor to work towards improving the success of internationally educated accounting professionals, to guide the foreign-trained applicants and to conduct research and collect data to inform long-term strategies.

Developed and administered cultural diversity training to all CMA instructors, so that they are aware and empathetic to the challenges faced by newcomers.

Developed an automated statistical tool gauging international student success in the accreditation process.

The Law Society of Alberta (LSA)

Undertook a study to determine and understand the needs of foreign-trained lawyers as they are working towards registration in Alberta.

College of Dental Hygienists of Alberta (CDHA)

Created a new standardized process to assess the clinical competence of international dental hygiene program graduates who apply for registration in Alberta and other Canadian jurisdictions.

College and Association of Respiratory Therapists of Alberta (CARTA)

Online portal so potential foreign-trained applicants can access accurate information on the application process and requirements for registration in Alberta.

Physiotherapy Alberta College and Association

Developed a standardized pre-bridging competency based assessment used to evaluate the knowledge, skills, abilities and practice readiness of internationally trained physiotherapists.

Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (ACSLPA)

Developed and implemented online resources that assisted internationally educated applicants in the process of registering with ACSLPA and allow them to monitor the status of their application.

Developed resources to support successful outcomes for internationally trained applicants completing their supervised practice requirements.

College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta

Created a single standardized and streamlined assessment process for Internationally Educated Nurses seeking registration to practice as licensed professional nurses in Alberta.

Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW)

Performed research on internationally trained social workers and their experiences in obtaining accreditation to identify barriers and mechanisms to address them.

Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta

Developed an online assessment and transcript evaluation tool.

Developed and launched a new website to help internationally trained accountants find student or professional work placements.

College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA)

Reviewed current information resources for internationally trained nurses posted on CARNA's website to identify possible communication issues.

College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP)

Upgraded the current information management system and database to expedite the registration process for international applicants.

College of Hearing Aid Practitioners of Alberta (CHAPA)

Developed a registrant database that will allow the college to track information on internationally trained applicants and their credentials.

College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta

Developed resources specifically designed for internationally educated nurses, including: a resources guide to assist in integration; a self-study module, Orientation to Canadian Healthcare.

Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA)

Created resources designed for internationally trained applicants to clearly explain how to prepare application documents to increase successful outcomes.

Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET)

Developed reference packages and e-tools (e.g., how-to videos) for foreign applicants to improve accessibility and transparency of qualifications assessment processes.

Alberta College of Pharmacists (ACP)

Database enhancements enabled the college to provide reports with statistics about foreign-trained candidate and help government develop recommendations for future actions.

Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA)

A new section on the institute's website provided information addressing the needs and concerns of internationally trained agrologists.

College of Podiatric Physicians of Alberta

New web resources were developed that explain the scope of competencies of podiatrists in Alberta and describe the registration requirements.

College of Dietitians of Alberta (CDA)

The college developed an online self-assessment tool that international applicants can use before they arrive in Alberta.

College of Opticians of Alberta (COA)

The college developed online registration and an online Prior Learning Assessment examination to support better outcomes for internationally trained opticians.

College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA)

An interactive portal within the CPSA website was developed that allows international medical graduates to do a preliminary self-assessment of their eligibility for medical licensure in Alberta.

Developed a standardized process now used to assess the clinical practice readiness of international medical graduates who wish to practice medicine in Alberta.

Online application was developed for international medical graduates who are not qualified for independent practice that allows them to apply for limited supervised practice.

Developed an automated connection between online application and the registration system, which streamlines and expedites application processing and assessment.

Developed a computerized system that generates statistical reports on the success rate and duration of the international medical graduate’s application process.

College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta (CRPNA)

The college created a database that enables data collection and reporting, as well as developing assessment processes and resources for foreign-educated applicants.

Alberta Land Surveyors' Association

The association analyzed currently available information on foreign-trained applicants and reviewed processes of assessing foreign-trained applicants.

College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA)

The college developed website content outlining the steps required to be licensed as a LPN in Alberta and an online membership database so applicants can obtain an instant update on the status of their application.

Physiotherapy Alberta College and Association

The college developed a web-based credential assessment tool and electronic repository of international physiotherapy programs, which streamline and expedite assessment processes for internationally trained physiotherapists.

Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta

Developed a community outreach program for internationally educated accountants and a regional credentials assessment system that increases the efficiency of assessment and streamlines entry into the profession for foreign applicants.

Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET)

The association established a Fairness Committee that reviewed current practices and recommended changes that increased the effectiveness of resources for foreign-trained professionals.

Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA)

Conducted research, set up facilities and created testing materials so that the Clinical Proficiency Exam (CPE) can be delivered at the University of Calgary, Veterinary Medicine.

Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI)

Developed an Employer Inclusivity Index tool for use by employers.

NorQuest College

The Navigating the Interview project created a series of video clips based on intercultural interviewing plus a facilitator's manual and related learning activities for immigrants and HR professionals.

Calgary Regional Immigrant Employment Council (CRIEC)

Created and piloted a mentoring circles (group mentoring) program focused on Small and Medium Enterprises.

Shift Management

Created 9 workplace cultural competency online training modules, 3 each aimed at employers and immigrants and a further 3 with cross-stakeholder issues.

Human Resources Institute of Alberta (HRIA)

HRIA created an employer information toolkit on hiring internationally trained individuals.