International professionals.

TORONTO -- The Ontario government introduced a three year, $4-million plan to expand training for internationally trained professionals, including teachers, heath care professionals and. Engineering technicians, to allow them to practice within the province.

These bridge training programs are designed to assist internationally-trained professionals to develop skills and experience needed to practice in Ontario without duplicating what they have already learned or experienced elsewhere. The bridge programs have been organized in conjunction with professional organizations and colleges, such as the Ontario College of Teachers, the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists and the Toronto Area Summit.

In addition, the provincial government is working with the Colleges of Ontario Network for Education and Training, George Brown, Centennial and Fanshawe Colleges to create a new program, called CON*NECT, which will provide "another choice for internationally-trained professionals and trades people to fast track their entry into the workplace."

Bridge programs include a training project for teachers in conjunction with the Ontario College of Teachers where assistance or services will be available to 2000 internationally-trained teachers to ensure they have the skills to teach in Ontario's publicly-funded schools, simulated clinical experience for medical laboratory scientists in order they meet one of the requirements to practice in Ontario and a Career Bridge program whereby experienced and skilled immigrants in information technology, sales and marketing and accounting are matched with employers. In the Greater Toronto Area 27 employers are committed to taking 45 interns in order to gain Canadian experience with 30 skilled immigrants currently working as interns.