Language Skills: Alex Leblanc and Credentials

language skills: The career pathway program will make loans of up to 15,000 available to people who have been internationally trained but who can't get jobs in their fields because their credentials aren't recognized, said Alex LeBlanc, the executive director of the association, according to CBC. There was data to support that there was a financial element to why immigrants were having trouble getting their credentials recognized.'- Alex LeBlanc, New Brunswick Multicultural Association Applicants must have credentials that are valid in their home countries, be unemployed or under-employed, have significant language skills in either English or French, and be accepted into whatever upgrading program the loan will be used for. Now the New Brunswick Multicultural Association has launched a loan program to help newcomers and permanent residents get over that barrier by upgrading their credentials. LeBlanc told Information Morning Fredericton that in past years, about a quarter of immigrants settling in New Brunswick arrived with jobs. The interest rate on a career pathway loan is prime plus one per cent and the borrower will make interest-only payments while studying. But many face financial obstacles that include the cost of writing exams, paying tuition, and living or travel expenses related to getting their credentials recognized in Canada. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.