Ontario international students job prospects growing thanks to agreement

International students will soon be eligible to work their way through college, now that the Ontario government has agreed to allow foreign scholars to find employment outside of their educational institutions.

On November 28, Joe Volpe, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, made the announcement that will allow the over 300 hundred international Fanshawe students to work up to 20 hours a week outside of the school.

In the past, international students were limited to working directly for their post-secondary institution in jobs like administration, custodial or food services.

“This agreement will allow international students the ability to participate in work opportunities in our communities and earn the money they need for their studies,” Bentley said in a press release issued by the Ontario government. “It is fair and reasonable approach that will benefit both the students and our province.”

To be eligible for the program, international students must sustain satisfactory academic standing and complete at least six months of full-time study at a public post-secondary institution.

According to Bruce Wilson, Support Services Officer for International Department at Fanshawe, the provinces of Manitoba, New Brunswick and Quebec have all implemented pilot work programs for international students over the past three years. The programs were so successful the rest of provinces followed and instigated the change.

Wilson said 60 per cent of the international students enrolled in post-secondary institutions in the pilot provinces, participated in the off-campus employment program.

Although each institution has to formally approve the new agreement, Wilson said Fanshawe would undoubtedly be on board.

“The work permits will be in Fanshawe College's name,” he said about the role the college will play in the agreement. “But ultimately, it will be the students responsibility.”

He also said the International Department will help students with resumes, interviews and applications, as they have in the past for internal job postings.

There are over 30,000 international students currently enrolled in public colleges and universities in Ontario.

Wilson said students from India make up the highest percentage of those students employed within Fanshawe College, “Mainly because their level of English is usually quite high,” he said.

Students who are enrolled in English as a Second Language programs at the college will not be eligible for the work permits, but Wilson said once they graduate into the post-secondary system they will qualify.

Students who also receive awards from the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Awards Program or the Canadian International Development Agency cannot participate.

Wilson expects the permits will be available after the New Year.
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