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What is an industry-specific bridging program?

Industry-specific bridging programs offer you rapid training on the specific qualifications needed to enter a particular industry. It’s also a great way to get the most up-to-date knowledge of industry trends.

As a newcomer jobseeker, you might be unfamiliar with the demands of the local employment market. Industry-specific bridging programs can help you with:

providing insights into the Canadian demands of a specific industry
refining your job search
getting noticed by employers to advance your career

The Ontario Bridge Training Programs offered at The Career Foundation help internationally-trained professionals get rapid training and employment in the field that is related to their education and work experience back home. You will gain sector-specific skills and knowledge in the areas of IT Cloud Security, HVAC, and Network Cabling. You will learn new skills that apply to the Canadian standards of practice in the industry you are being trained for.

You will also be supported by a team of dedicated employment specialists and job developers that help you with effective job-search strategies to secure sustainable employment.

To be eligible, you must:

be an Ontario resident over the age of 18
be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, conventional refugee, or refugee claimant with a valid open work permit
not be in full-time school or employment
possess relevant education and work experience outside of Canada
have a credential evaluation report*
possess a CLB of Level 7 or higher*

*If you don't have a credential evaluation or CLB - English language assessment, please email [email protected] to receive further instructions. A member of The Career Foundation’s Ontario Bridge Training Program will assist you in obtaining the necessary documents to be eligible.

These bridging programs were created specifically for jobs that are in high demand in Ontario:

IT professionals with comprehensive knowledge in the areas of cloud concepts, data security, and legal risk and compliance (IT Cloud Security)
Network cabling specialists, telecommunications line workers, and cable technicians (network cabling)
Gas technicians, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning specialists (HVAC)

As companies work to protect confidential information in cloud storage, careers in IT security are increasing in demand. In an interconnected world, there are network cables everywhere to ensure we always have connections to power our electronic devices. Also, commercial and residential buildings everywhere require adequate temperature and ventilation to ensure comfort and cleaner, safer air. These are the reasons why careers in IT Cloud Security, Network Cabling, and HVAC are in high demand in Ontario and the rest of Canada.

In fact, there are more opportunities than candidates, so employers are looking for internationally trained professionals to fill the labour shortage in these areas. To apply for one of these programs, visit the Ontario Bridging Program page from the Career Foundation.

Regulated vs Unregulated Professions

The province regulates certain professions and trades in order to protect the public’s health and safety. This means that regulated professions and trades require a special certificate or license to practice the jobs that fall under those professions.

Regulated trades require that you complete an apprenticeship under a journeyperson (an experienced tradesperson), write an exam, and get a license in order to practice independently or as a business owner. Unregulated trades do not require an apprenticeship or licensing in order to work in that field.

HVAC is a regulated trade while Network Cabling is unregulated. However, rules and regulations around this are subject to change. The Career Foundations’ HVAC and Network Cabling bridging programs are the only one of its kind in Ontario. As the demand for skilled workers grows in Canada, internationally trained immigrants are more in demand to fill positions in the skilled trades.

Presented by: The Career Foundation