Global Skilling Centres Applying International Insights to the Canadian Context / Global Skilling Centres Overview of GSC’s Global Skilling Centres (GSCs) would be purpose-built training centres designed to offer Canadian training abroad. This model would make it possible to deliver technical and vocational training aligned with and targeted to Canada’s labour market needs. GSC programming would be co-designed with industry in order to ensure that training is driven by market demands. The Global Skilling Talent Model: Target, Train, Transition Offering Canadian-led training abroad GSCs could be operated by Canadian training entities, including reputable career colleges in Canada. Global Skilling Centres would likely be operating in common immigration ‘source countries’ to meet labour market needs. While private institutions could operate GSCs, the Government of Canada in partnership with provinces and territories would still be in control of the immigration selection process, and in charge of determining whether GSC graduates are eligible for permanent residence. GSC courses would be practical and focused on developing in-demand skills. They would be taught by Canadian and international instructors, both in person and remotely, to ensure trainees are receiving a Canadian-designed and delivered education. Modern approaches and curriculum will allow for integration of Al to support learning and readiness for today’s Canadian workplaces. Using a dual-track model GSCs would offer a dual-track training model, with a stream for people looking to immigrate to Canada and a stream for people looking to remain in the country in which they trained. Upon graduation, GSC trainees would ideally receive a Canadian-recognized credential (valid across all provinces and territories) that prepares them for success should they choose – and are selected to immigrate to Canada. Trainees choosing to come to Canada would also receive training on Canadian workplace skills, immigration and pre-settlement support, and where possible – experiential learning opportunities with Canadian employers. This would all be feasible because GSCs’ physical locations would serve as hubs for related partners meaning that they could be co-located with industry partners, post-secondary institutions, and immigration support services, offering trainees information, support, and education beyond just technical and vocational training. Benefits of Global Skilling Centres By re-thinking talent pathways, we can unlock better results for newcomers, employers, and Canada as a whole. GSCs would offer significant benefits, including: Canadian employers could continue to seek Canadian training and knowledge even when recruiting internationally. As international student study permits decline, it may become more challenging for employers to hire non-residents with that Canadian training. GSCs would allow newcomers to receive Canadian training before arrival, so they can land ready and able to work and join their community. GSCs would reduce the cost of training for participants, who are able to avoid the high costs of living abroad while studying. They would also reduce the risks and delays associated with the two-step migration model. GSCs would respond to specific labour market needs, helping to fill urgent gaps like those in health care, early childhood education, and cybersecurity. GSCs would prepare trainees to fill the labour market gaps that current immigration programs are targeting. GSCs could also capture information on trainee populations that will help us further assist Canadian industry with workforce planning as it relates to their international hiring targets. GSCs would support a broader ‘Team Canada’ approach in order to strengthen Canada’s soft power connections, leverage diaspora networks, and open new international trade connections. By providing training abroad, GSCs enhance Canada’s global reputation both as a place to immigrate to and a provider of high-quality education. Training people in their home countries also strengthens Canadian connections with alumni networks, creating lasting relationships and goodwill. GSCs could also share information about the number of trainees who aim to be prospective immigrants and broader sentiment analysis on Canada’s brand and reputation to help inform immigration policy. 369 Global’s Promise Ensuring Quality and Trust in Training Offered Abroad 369 Global is committed to ensuring the quality of Global Skilling Centres and the training they offer, and to earning the trust of Canadians, trainees, and countries where GSCs are located. This trust will be critical to the success of GSCs and their graduates. 369 Global is open to working with all partners to ensure transparency and accountability. Some ways 369 Global will aim to build this trust in the GSCs it launches include: Regular public reporting on number of graduates who are able to gain employment in the field that they trained in Transparency on 369 Global’s GSC tuition fees Working with bodies like the National Association of Career Colleges and industry partners on curriculum design and validation Collaborating with source countries’ governments on the design and training offered at GSCs run by 369 Global Ensuring honest communication about immigration and employment outcomes Case Study: A Different Pathway A vision for the skilled immigrant journey with Global Skilling Centres This is a hypothetical case study of a future GSC trainee: Grace is 23 years old and lives in Kenya. She has been considering moving to Canada, but because she has limited savings, she wants to ensure that she will be able to start working immediately upon her arrival. She learns about the Global Skilling Centre in Nairobi that offers Canadian training for professions in Canada that are facing a shortage of skilled workers. She enrolls in their nine-month PSW program. She is taught by Canadian instructors in courses enhanced by Al technology, developing the technical skills required to be a PSW, and gaining an understanding of how the Canadian health care system works. She completes the practicum component of her training at 369 Global’s local employment partner, the Aga Khan University Hospital. She also takes courses about Canadian culture and workplace norms. The tuition and living costs in Kenya are significantly lower than international student fees and life in Canada, and Grace appreciates that she can continue to live in Kenya while she studies. As she completes her training, the GSC offers her access to immigration and settlement services on-site. The GSC also has connections with Canadian employers that are interested in hiring Grace and some of her classmates. Grace quickly gets a job offer for a long-term care home in Ontario and is eager to move to Canada. After completing her program and obtaining a nationally recognized diploma issued by the National Association of Career Colleges in Canada, Grace applies to immigrate to Canada through the newly created ‘Globally Skilled Workers Program’. This is a pilot pathway to permanent residence for GSC trainees who have graduated with relevant training necessary to fill some of Canada’s top labour market needs. Grace is admitted to Canada through the pathway, and arrives in Ontario, ready to start work as a PSW. Compared to Priya and Aiman, Grace was able to transition to Canada as a permanent resident much more smoothly. She graduated with less debt, and with credentials suited for the labour market needs of Canada. The GSC was able to help her secure employment so that she was ready to work immediately upon arrival. Recommendations If GSCs are to effectively support trainees to develop Canadian-recognized skills and to migrate to Canada, they will require a supportive environment of policy and partnerships. Introducing the Challenge Current approaches to correcting labour shortages are not sufficient Canada’s Skills and Labour Market Gaps Significant skills and labour shortages threaten Canada’s prosperity Aligning Global Training with Canadian Immigration Canada’s identity and success have long been shaped by the contributions of immigrants. Global Examples of International TVET Technical and Vocational Education and Training. Global Skilling Centres Applying International Insights to the Canadian Context Recommendations To effectively support trainees to develop Canadian-recognized skills, we need a supportive environment of policy and partnerships