Programs and Incentives

Manitoba Careers for Internationally Educated Professionals Program

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The Manitoba Careers for Internationally Educated Professionals (IEPs) Program supports internationally educated professionals towards their goal of working in their professional field in Manitoba.

It provides non-repayable financial assistance to help IEPs with assessment and training costs while pursuing registration in one of Manitoba’s 28 non-nursing self-regulated professions.

To be eligible, individuals must have started the registration process with a Manitoba regulator, and be motivated and able to complete the process in a timely, efficient and continuous manner. For most professions, this means completing the registration process within two years.

Individuals should contact their Manitoba regulator directly to learn about the registration requirements, process, costs and other important information.

 

Who is eligible?

To be eligible you must:

• currently reside in Manitoba
• be an immigrant who is a Naturalized Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or a Protected Person as determined by the Government of Canada and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada)
• have prior international education and work experience in a Manitoba regulated profession
• be either unemployed, underemployed in a job that is not aligned with your field of education and professional skillset, or working in your field without professional registration
• have started the registration process with a Manitoba regulator
• Individuals must provide documentation from the provincial regulator, or the national body responsible for your profession’s initial assessment, that indicates you are eligible to pursue professional registration. Examples of acceptable documentation include: an assessment letter or report, a description of the next steps you must complete in the registration process (exams, course work, bridging programs), a transcript assessment, exam sitting confirmation, etc.
• be motivated and able to complete the registration process in a timely, efficient and continuous manner
• Individuals must commit to an Action Plan to complete the registration process within two years.
• Registration processes that are expected to take longer than two years will be reviewed and considered on a case by case basis, with approval being based on a number of factors including the likelihood of success in attaining registration and labour market demand.
• intend to work in Manitoba after professional registration

You are not eligible for the program if you do not meet the above criteria. This includes individuals who:

• have not started the assessment and registration process with a Manitoba regulator
• are or were previously registered in their profession in another Canadian province or territory
• have been assessed as requiring significant language upgrading, defined as the equivalent of more than one language benchmark, to meet the required or recommended benchmarks of the regulator
• have been assessed as requiring significant upgrading of education, including having to recomplete their international education in its entirety in Canada (e.g., individuals required to complete full degrees)
• are refugee claimants or temporary residents including individuals on a work or study permit

 

 

Eligible supports

Supports are tailored to individual needs and circumstances.

 

Eligible participants may receive the following:

• Up to $23,000 in non-repayable financial assistance to cover assessment and training costs as required by the regulator to complete the registration process. This includes costs for:
• language training and assessments, where required by the regulator
• assessments of knowledge, skills, experience and character
• required upgrading, including bridging programs and in-person or online courses
• regulator recognized exam prep-courses
• interim/conditional registration costs
• other mandatory assessments, exams and training fees
• Individuals may also receive financial assistance to cover living expenses, child care, and transportation costs while participating in required upgrading, a bridging program or an unpaid work placement/internship.
• Employed individuals may be authorized to voluntarily quit their employment in order to qualify for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits while participating in required upgrading or a bridging program.

Ineligible costs include:

• Retroactive costs/fees that were paid prior to receiving approval from the Manitoba Careers for IEPs Program. This includes application fees that were paid to start the assessment and registration process.
• Professional registration costs including fees to obtain your full licence, professional liability insurance, and annual professional development courses required to maintain your licence.
• Individuals who fail a required assessment (e.g., language test, licensing exam) for a second time are not eligible for financial assistance for any subsequent attempts.
• Individuals may resume support from the Manitoba Careers for IEPs Program once they pass the required test/exam.

Participant Obligations

• Individuals must commit to completing the registration process in a timely, efficient and continuous manner. Only in exceptional circumstances (e.g., short-term illness, injury) will individuals be approved to temporarily suspend their Action Plan and remain eligible under the program. Each situation is reviewed on a case by case basis.
• Individuals may have their Action Plan terminated and be required to return any monies issued if they are determined to have provided untrue, inaccurate or incomplete information in their application or at any point throughout their participation in the program.

How to apply

 

Decision Review Process

Individuals may request a decision review, including eligibility decisions, in accordance with the department’s Decision Review Policy.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Which professions are eligible through the Manitoba Careers for IEPs Program?

The program supports individuals pursuing registration in one of Manitoba's 28 non-nursing self-regulated professions. A list can be found here.

 

I am an IEP but have not applied to my regulated profession. Can I still apply to the program?

No. To be eligible you need to have started the registration process with your regulator by submitting an application and all required documents. A copy of the assessment decision letter from the regulator must be submitted as part of the application process for the program.

 

I was actively pursuing registration before I became aware of the program. Am I still eligible to apply?

Yes. When you apply, you are required to submit a copy of the assessment decision letter you received from your regulator.

 

I do not know what steps are involved in becoming registered in my field. Who can provide guidance?

You should contact your professional regulator. More information including links to each regulator can be found here.

 

I am an internationally educated nurse.  Am I eligible for the program?

No. If you are an internationally educated nurse, you may be eligible for financial assistance through the IENs in Manitoba Project.

Please see the news release for more information and access the separate IENs in Manitoba application form.

Please direct all questions regarding the IENs in Manitoba Project to the Healthcare Recruitment inbox at healthrec@gov.mb.ca.

 

What are the language requirements of the program?

Language and communication skills are key to registering in a regulated profession in Manitoba. Each regulator determines the language proficiency level and tests required. Requirements are different across professions.

Individuals assessed by their regulator as requiring upgrading of the equivalent of more than one language benchmark to meet the required or recommended level are not eligible for the program.

 

Can I meet language requirements in French?

Some regulators allow applicants to meet language requirements in French.  You will need to speak to your regulator for more information.

 

What happens after my application is submitted?

Applications will be assessed to determine program eligibility.  All applicants will be contacted by email to identify next steps. Additional documentation may be requested.

 

I completed the application but have not heard from a program representative on next steps.

If you have not received a response from a program representative within 15 days of submitting your application form, you can contact the program at:

In Winnipeg: 204-945-0575
Toll-free (outside Winnipeg): 1-866-332-5077
Email: mjsd@gov.mb.ca

Please include your application confirmation ID number in your email.

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