The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) has instigated a pilot bridging program, ‘Coaching to Career’, which launched in May 2012 in Toronto.

Aimed at internationally educated professionals (IEPs) in the IT sector, it provides three weeks of employment training, including workplace culture, competencies and communications. The IEPs are then matched with a senior industry executive who provides personalized coaching for six months to help them find a job that is commensurate with their skills and experiences. Once employed, the IEPs receive extended training and support from ICTC for the first three months in their new job.

The ICTC estimates that by 2016 about 106,000 ICT jobs will need to be filled in both traditional and emerging ICT industries — an annual hiring rate of nearly 17,000. The Canadian school system is failing to meet the demands and although many newcomers have the right skills for the jobs, they lack the Canadian experience and networks to help them land those jobs.