Bridging Programs

Our profession specific bridging programs provide you with:

access to accurate information about the licensure process in your field
training sessions and workshops with experts in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing and finance
opportunities to complete work based engineering or trade competency assessment with a Nova Scotia employer

Begin by meeting with an Employment Specialist who will help you create a special plan of action for your needs, short and long term goals and will recommend appropriate programs for you.

Engineers Bridging Program

Do you want to demonstrate your skills and knowledge to a potential engineering employer?

The Internationally Educated Engineers (IEE) Bridging Program offers:

Information about the Pathway to Licensure
Access to local engineering work experience
An understanding of Canadian engineering workplace culture
Referral to Orientation and Communication Skills for Engineers course
Valuable references for your job search

The Engineering Work-based Competency Assessment Program offers:

An unpaid 12-week opportunity to demonstrate your engineering competencies and identify skill gaps with a Nova Scotian engineering employer. An honorarium will be given for the 12-week placement
An opportunity to explore how your profession is practiced in Canada and to show your qualifications to a potential employer
A chance to submit your work experience record to Engineers Nova Scotia (ENS). This experience may be considered towards the one year North American experience requirement.

To be eligible for this program you must:

Be an Internationally Educated Engineer (IEE)
Be an immigrant Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
Register as an ISANS client and with an Employment Specialist
Commit to complete 12-week on-the-job engineering competency assessment
Have a language level of CLB 6+

Your Employment Specialist will help you decide if the Engineering Work-based Competency Assessment Program is right for you.

For more information please contact your Employment Specialist.

Financial Services Bridging Program

ISANS works with CPA Atlantic and volunteer Certified Public Accountants to offer educational training and information sessions on some of the following topics:

Pathway to licensure as CPA in Canada
Understanding of the Taxation system
English financial terminology
Financial software applications: Sage 50 Training, Upgrades & Refresher Courses
Alternative careers in the financial field
Financial designation equivalencies
Gross to Net & Beyond
Bookkeeping essentials
Introduction to Financial Statements
A day In A/R & A/P
Introduction to QuickBooks
Understanding your pay check

To be eligible for the Financial Services Bridging Program you must:

Be educated and/or experienced in accounting and finance
Be an immigrant Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident
Register as an ISANS client
Register with an Employment Specialist at ISANS
Complete one of the Job Search Strategies workshops

For more information please contact your Employment Specialist.

Internationally Educated Architects Work-based Assessment Program

The Internationally Educated Architects Work-based Assessment (Pilot) Program helps you:

Demonstrate your skills and knowledge to an architectural firm
Obtain local work references
Learn about Canadian work culture
Gain Canadian experience in your profession

As a participant in the program you lend your professional skills and time and ISANS connects you with a local employer for a 12-week placement. To be eligible for this program you must:

Identify as an Internationally Educated Architect (IEA)
Be an immigrant Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Register as an ISANS client and with an ISANS Employment Specialist
Successfully complete an employer interview
Commit to completing a 12-week on-the-job placement
Have a language level of CLB 6+

Your Employment Specialist will help you decide if the IEA Bridging Program is right for you.

For more information please contact your Employment Specialist.

Internationally Educated Dental Professionals Bridging Program

The goal of the Internationally Educated Dental Professionals (IEDP) Bridging Program is to help newcomers navigate the dental licensure pathway and assist with integration into Canadian dental practice.

IEDP Bridging Program offers the following services:

structured study groups
on-site healthcare library
online learning resources
educational sessions
support with alternative career choices
Observership Program

IEDP Study Groups
These structured study groups run weekly and are topic focused. Participating in the Study Group allows IEDs to share knowledge, experience, resources and encourages learning while utilizing expertise from colleagues in the group. On-site reference books, updated on-line resources, review materials and electronic resources are used to facilitate these sessions.

On-site & Online Resources
ISANS has a library of updated textbooks and reference books that IEDs can borrow. List of review materials and suggested textbooks from the Dental Examining Boards are made available through the ISANS Healthcare Library.

Team Approach Client Support
One-on-one client support and information is provided to immigrant IEDPs who seek opportunities for alternate careers and employment.

The IEDP Bridging Program is:

Customized: Consideration is given to individual learning needs, professional background and experience, goals and aspirations
Comprehensive: It helps IEDPs bridge the gaps in their professional knowledge, experience, and communication skills
Collaborative: Canadian Licensed Immigrant Dental Professionals, IEDP Multi-stakeholder Work Group, ISANS Healthcare Bridging Colleagues

To be eligible for this program you must be:

An immigrant Internationally Educated Dental Professional (IEDP)
A registered ISANS client
Actively working with an ISANS employment specialist

For more information please contact your Employment Specialist or email iehp@old.isans.ca.

Internationally Educated Nurses Orientation Program

This program offers:

Information about the pathway to licensure
Structured Study Groups
Access to ISANS Healthcare Sciences Library
Online learning resources
Nursing educational sessions
Information about alternative careers
Peer support
Professional mentoring

Foundations Of Nursing Practice For Internationally Educated Nurses

This 16-week facilitated course will introduce you to the foundations of nursing practice in Canada and the Canadian healthcare system. This course is delivered twice a year in spring and winter. To accommodate nursing professionals, the training is offered in a blended format (in person and online) and facilitated by experienced registered nurse educators.

The course will help you compare your own experiences with Canadian health care delivery and nursing practice and identify any educational gaps or differences in knowledge, skills and competencies.

Course content includes: Concepts of Therapeutic Communication, Medical Terminology, Professional Documentation, Review of Medical/Surgical Nursing, Pharmacology and Administration of Medications, Health Assessment, Maternal Child Health, Mental Health, and Concepts of Family Focused Care.

To be eligible for this program you must:

Be an Internationally Educated Nurse
Be an immigrant, Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident
Register as an ISANS client
Register with an Employment Specialist at ISANS
Have a minimum language level of CLB 5
Be available and committed to attend study groups and educational sessions at flexible hours

For more information please contact your Employment Specialist or email iehp@old.isans.ca.

Internationally Educated Pharmacists Bridging Program

The International Pharmacy Graduates (IPGs) Bridging Program will help you understand and meet the standards of practice in Canada and achieve your professional goals, including licensure and employment. Your ability to communicate effectively in a pharmacy or healthcare setting determines your success.

Pharmacy Study Groups
Study Groups prepare you for the Canadian Evaluating and Qualifying Pharmacy Exams. Topics include: therapeutics, pharmacy laws and ethics, pharmacy drug distribution, pharmacy management, drug information and the pillars in the Canadian Health Care System. Study groups are offered on a weekly basis before the exams dates.

IPG Communication Skills Lab
The Communication Skills Lab gives you an opportunity to role-play realistic pharmacy scenarios with trained simulated patients. A licensed pharmacist observes, assesses and provides you with direct feedback on your pharmacy knowledge, communication and interpersonal skills. These sessions will help you prepare for the national OSCE exam. The Communication Skills Lab program is offered twice a year in spring and fall.

This program will help you:

Improve your interpersonal and communication skills
Understand and practice realistic interactive and non-interactive cases through the Mock OSCE sessions
Get structured feedback from pharmacist assessors and professional simulated patients
Identify gaps in your pharmacy knowledge and skills
Access online and on-site pharmacy resources
Practice answering pharmacy multiple choice questions (MCQs)
Build your network with Canadian licensed pharmacists
Meet other IPGs going through the licensure process

For more information please contact your Employment Specialist or email iehp@old.isans.ca.

International Medical Graduates Bridging Program

Are you planning to practice medicine in Canada? Are you preparing for the Medical Council of Canada Examinations?

If so, then the International Medical Graduates (IMG) Bridging Program is for you!

ISANS can assist you with:

Pathways to licensure preparation
Structured Study Groups
Clinical Skills Review Program (MCCQEII and NAC-OSCE)
Access to ISANS Resource library (online and on-site)
Educational sessions
Support with observership placements

The IMG Bridging Program offers:

Facilitated Study Groups
You will prepare for the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCC EE) and Qualifying Examination Part I (MCCQE Part I). Study groups provide a learning environment for exploration, discussion and modelling of medical content and networking opportunities among peers. Various supports and resources can help you prepare for the exams. Group sessions are offered on a weekly basis throughout the year.

Clinical Skills Review Program (available on-site & online)
You will increase your knowledge of the Canadian healthcare system and culture and improve your professional communication skills. Prepare for the National Assessment Collaboration (NAC-OSCE) and Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part II (MCCQE Part II). The program includes facilitated sessions with opportunities to role-play realistic clinical scenarios with trained simulated patients. Get feedback from professional practicing physicians on your clinical skills, communication and interpersonal skills. The Clinical Skills Review program is offered twice a year, consisting of 10-12 facilitated evening sessions and 5-6 mock OSCE sessions.

To be eligible for this program you must:

Be an international medical graduate
Be an immigrant Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident
Register as a client with ISANS
Register with an Employment Specialist at ISANS
Have a minimum language level of CLB 5
Be available to attend study groups and educational sessions at flexible hours

For more information please contact your Employment Specialist or email iehp@old.isans.ca.

Trades Practical Assessment Program

Do you want to demonstrate your skills to a potential employer in your trade? Are you interested in apprenticeship?

This program offers:

A comprehensive assessment of your trade
Certified safety training
Job search, interview skills and Canadian workplace culture training
Paid 12-week on-the-job practical assessment
Evaluation of your apprenticeship level and exam readiness

The Trades Practical Assessment Program offers the following supports:

Safety Training: complete First Aid/CPR, WHMIS, Fire Safety and any other essential training
Trades Practical Assessment: a (paid) 12-week opportunity to demonstrate your competencies in your field and:
- Identify skill gaps with a Nova Scotian employer so you can upgrade your skills
- Improve your immediate communication skills and language level
- Explore how your trade is practiced in Canada and show your qualifications to a potential employer

To be eligible to attend this program you must:

Have a background in trade with minimum of 2 years of experience
Be an immigrant, a Permanent Resident, or a Canadian Citizen
Register as an ISANS client
Register with an Employment Specialist at ISANS
Have a minimum language level of CLB 4+

For more information please contact your Employment Specialist.

Gain Experience and Start Your Licensing Process

Immigrating to Canada?

FREE tools, resources & courses
designed to help you find a job
in your field in Canada

Find Employment

Gain Experience and Start Your Licensing Process

Immigrating to Canada?

FREE tools, resources & courses designed to help you find a job in your field in Canada

FREE tools, resources & courses
designed to help you find a job
in your field in Canada