Alberta’s government has formed a new advisory committee aimed at improving the province’s system for recognizing foreign credentials, a move designed to help internationally trained professionals and address labour shortages across various sectors.
The 13-member Foreign Credential Advisory Committee, led by Dr. Misheck Mwaba, President and CEO of Bow Valley College, will offer recommendations to improve the current credential assessment and recognition process. The committee comprises representatives from industry, regulatory bodies, educational institutions, and individuals who have experienced the foreign qualification recognition system firsthand.
“Alberta’s growth continues across all industries and shows no signs of slowing down. By streamlining international qualification recognition, we can attract more skilled professionals to Alberta and help them put their education and training to work faster,” said Muhammad Yaseen, Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism.
The formation of this committee comes in response to the ongoing need for skilled professionals in Alberta, particularly in professions experiencing current and anticipated labour shortages. The committee’s work is expected to foster collaboration and coordination among various stakeholders, including employers, regulatory bodies, and educational institutions.
Nolan Dyck, MLA for Grande Prairie, highlighted the significance of this initiative, stating, “With many newcomers bringing highly valued skill sets across multiple sectors, by streamlining and making the credentialing process more efficient, we can continue to have the best and highest-quality workforce in the world.”
Dr. Misheck Mwaba emphasized the committee’s collaborative approach to workforce development. “The Foreign Credential Advisory Committee is undertaking an important initiative to advance the recognition of foreign credentials and foster collaboration and coordination among various stakeholders. I look forward to working with the committee and cultivating an inclusive approach to workforce development in Alberta.”
The committee will compile its findings and recommendations in a report to the Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism by June 28, 2025. The committee’s term will last a maximum of two years, expiring no later than March 28, 2026.
Committee Members:
- Dr. Misheck Mwaba, President and CEO, Bow Valley College
- Shauna Feth, President and CEO, Alberta Chamber of Commerce
- Glenys Reeves-Gibbs, Executive Director, Alberta Federation of Regulated Health Professionals
- Kene Ilochonwu, Senior Legal Counsel, Woodfibre LNG
- Deidre Lake, Executive Director, Alberta International Medical Graduates Association
- Cam Linke, CEO, Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute
- Dr. Megan Bergman, Registrar and CEO, Alberta Veterinary Medical Association
- Susan McGillivray, Interim Vice-President, People and Health Professions, Alberta Health Services
- Rachel Miller, CEO, Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta
- Jay Nagendran, Registrar and CEO, Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta
- G. Nabi Chaudhary, Retired Manager/Senior Economist, Alberta Agriculture
- Bruce Randall, Retired Executive Director, Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council
- Cinnamon Stacey, Director of Research and Assessment, National Nursing Assessment Service
Quick Facts:
- The committee was established by Bill 203 – Foreign Credentials Advisory Committee Act.
- The bill received royal assent on March 28 and came into force on June 28.
- The committee’s term will be a maximum of two years, expiring no later than March 28, 2026.