Foreign Credential Recognition in Canada: Design Thinking
Overview of the Webinar:
Canada has been welcoming a record number of immigrants, many of whom are highly skills professionals in both regulated and non-regulated occupations. While immigration is intended to address labour shortages —especially in high-demand sectors like healthcare — many newcomers face significant challenges in having their credentials recognized. These barriers can prevent them from contributing fully to the roles they are qualified for and from landing the job for which they were allowed into Canada.
Join us for an interactive webinar where we will discuss Canada’s Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) system. Using insights from LMIC’s 2025 research, we’ll explore the obstacles and opportunities within FCR. Through an engaging Design Thinking activity, you will learn about the complex processes that new Canadians experience as they settle into their Canadian journey, gaining deeper understanding of their perspectives.
Why Career Practitioners Should Attend:
This webinar offers career development professionals (CDPs) an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the critical challenges newcomers face when integrating into Canada’s labour market. Rooted in insights from LMIC’s research, the session highlights the systemic challenges within Canada’s Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) system and gaps in labour market information (LMI) that affect newcomers’ integration into the workforce.
Through an empathy-driven Design Thinking activity, participants will actively engage with these challenges, gaining practical insights to better support clients on their foreign credential recognition journey. By the end of the session, participants will leave with actionable strategies to address these barriers within the scope of their current practice.
Key Learning Takeaways:
- Identify key barriers Canadian newcomers face in accessing labour market information (LMI)
- Analyze gaps in Foreign Credential Recognition and their impact on newcomers’ integration into meaningful employment
- Use Design Thinking to empathize and identify needs of those on the journey and experiences of those navigating FCR
- Ideate innovative solutions to improve FCR provision
Presenters:
Ken Chatoor, Director of Research and Strategic Foresight
Ken Chatoor brings a wealth of experience in education, labour market and equity, with a proven track record of driving evidence-based policymaking. He has played a key role in shaping impactful initiatives, contributing to government evaluations and research on critical issues such as mental health, funding structures in public services, work-integrated learning and the labour market transition for new graduates.
Lorena Camargo, Principal Researcher
Lorena is a researcher who contributes to forward-looking studies on labour market issues in Canada, drawing on her expertise in innovation policy and global markets. She brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to her work, shaped by experience with various levels of government and the private sector. Lorena is passionate about delivering impactful insights that support policy and decision-making.