The BC Internationally Trained Professionals Network (BCITP Net) is a partnership of internationally trained professionals from around the province, working cooperatively, to improve access to meaningful employment for all immigrant professionals in BC. Our primary focus is to empower internationally trained professionals (ITPs) to enter into constructive dialogue with stakeholders and to act on self identified goals.
The purpose of BCITP Net is to help build associations and networks among internationally trained professionals. We hope to encourage constructive dialogue between immigrant professionals, regulatory bodies, industry and government.
Government and regulatory groups find it easier to talk with recognized associations rather than with a large number of unassociated individuals. By helping to organize internationally trained professionals, BCITP Net hopes also to help bring their opinions, experience and ideas to the attention of policy-makers.
We are assisted by three major, non-profit, immigrant-serving organizations who have been instrumental in bringing this idea of 'Capacity Building' of ITPs into reality. These organizations have partnered and received funding from 'Canadian Heritage' to create this project.
Individually, these organizations are:
Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISS)
ISS is one of the largest multicultural, immigrant-serving agencies in western Canada. Operating since 1972, ISS provides many services for employment assistance, skills and pre-employment training, English language instruction, and settlement and integration in the Greater Vancouver area.
MOSAIC
For over 30 years MOSAIC has been providing services to all immigrant and refugee communities. One of Vancouver's largest agencies, MOSAIC offers a wide variety of programs for employment, family support and counselling, bi-lingual counselling and legal advocacy. MOSAIC supports and empowers immigrant and refugee communities through advocacy, public education, community development, coalition building, and bridging with the larger community.
DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society
DiverseCity, the largest agency in the South Fraser region, has provided a wide range of multi-lingual programs to immigrants since 1978. These programs include settlement and integration services, English language training, employment assistance, clinical counselling, interpretation and translation services. DiverseCity works to promote the independence of immigrants and to build strong, culturally diverse communities. These goals are achieved through partnerships with community organizations, businesses and various government departments.
History
BCITP Net started in 2002 with an environmental scan of ITPs in BC, to better understand their numbers and demographics. This was followed by a series of community outreach meetings throughout the province to meet ITPs and better understand their unique challenges and needs.
In June 2003 a coordinator was hired to help doctors and engineers form their own associations. Partner agencies in Vernon, Victoria and Nanaimo formed local associations of mixed professionals. BCITP Net continues to support the associations it has helped to form.
