IESW Bridging Program description.pdf - Access Alliance

Internationally Educated Social WorkProfessionals (IESW) Bridging toEmployment and Registration ProgramRyerson University’sG. Raymond Chang Schoolof Continuing Education isproud to offer an innovativeopportunity for internationallyeducated social workprofessionals and socialservice employers.For internationally educated socialworkers, the Bridging Program offers:• courses that provide increasedproficiency in professionalcommunication and an understandingof how social work is practiced inCanada,• valuable mentoring and workexperience in Ontario, and• networking opportunities with socialservice employers and organizations.For social service employers, theBridging Program offers:• learning opportunities in organizationaldevelopment, diversity, and inclusion,• an opportunity to support equity andaccess in the social work profession bybeing a mentor and providing a workplacement, and• access to qualified and experiencedprofessionals who help meet staffingrequirements and bring a newperspective to the social service team.If you are an employer or an internationally educated social worker who wants moreinformation, visit our Web site at www.ryerson.ca/ce/socialwork.The Chang School also offers bridging support to internationally educated midwives,nurses, and nutrition and food professionals.Funded by the Government of Ontario

Examining Systemic and Individual Barriersof Ethno-Racial Minority Social Workers inMainstream Social Service AgenciesDid you know:•There are an estimated 49,000 workers in thesocial work occupation in Canada (2001 Censusof Population)•Approximately 88% of internationally educatedvisible minorities worked as professionals intheir country of origin before immigrating toCanada but once in Canada, only 18% workedas professionalsThe community-based research projectExamining Systemic and IndividualBarriers of Ethno-Racial MinoritySocial Workers in Mainstream SocialService Agencies collected quantitativeand qualitative data on employers’ andsocial workers’ perceptions andexperiences in accessing employment andpromotion in the social work profession.The findings suggest that the commonbarriers faced by internationally educatedand Canadian educated social workprofessionals are issues of individual andsystemic racism and are helping toidentify best practices for anti-racismorganizational change.The study was initiated by AccessAlliance Multicultural Community HealthCentre and Ryerson University’s School ofSocial Work and carried out collaborativelywith the following employers:• Children’s Aid Society of Toronto• Family Services Association of Toronto• Canadian Mental Health Association• Sunnybrook/Women’s College HealthSciences Centre• Sherbourne Health Centre• The Ontario College of Social Workersand Social Services Workers• The Ontario Association of SocialWorkersReport findings will be available in August, 2005. To obtain a copy of the report, contactHelen Wong at h9wong@ryerson.ca.Funded by Canadian Heritage and Human Resources Skills Development Canada