Feb 22, 2018 – A new program targeting international student retention in Nova Scotia will be rolled out in three Atlantic provinces as the region looks to collectively tackle its immigrant retention problem.
‘Study and Stay’ offers a full range of services to a select group of international students to help them fully integrate into Nova Scotia society.
It is designed to help tackle a retention problem that means only 60 per cent of immigrants arriving in Atlantic Canada stay in the region, compared with 90 per cent in Ontario and Alberta.
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The rollout of ‘Study and Stay’ is designed to compliment the existing Atlantic Immigration Pilot, which has a specific international student stream offering permanent residence to graduates who have a job offer from a recognized employer.
Despite a slow start, the AIP is expected to attract an extra 4,000 immigrants per year to the region by 2020, according to the most recent federal government levels plan. The AIP includes features such as a settlement plan and endorsement requirement specifically designed to help immigrants integrate into their chosen society.
“It is very explicitly about retaining people here,” federal Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said, referencing ‘Study and Stay’.
“Atlantic Canada has never had a problem attracting skilled immigrants — the problem is retention, so they come here and they don’t stay.
“We know that will vastly improve the retention rate. I think it’s great because it addresses a real challenge that is a little bit more acute in Atlantic Canada than the rest of the country.”
The Nova Scotia Study and Stay program specifically targets international students from China, India and the Philippines, providing them with support for the duration of their courses to help them develop a successful career in the province.
It does this through employment events, activities and workshops, plus career workshops and opportunities to learn in the workplace.
Key Benefits of Nova Scotia ‘Study and Stay’
- One-on-one employment and transition support from an EduNova Retention Coordinator, plus additional university/college and community support.
- Access to a province-wide cohort of peers and business networks.
- Two-day Employment Preparedness and Cohort Retreat for each year of your studies, attended by employers, plus Nova Scotia business and government leaders.
- Career assessments and self-value analysis.
- Personalized career and goal-setting plan.
- Training in professional job search, resume and interview techniques.
- Build a network of professional and employment connections.
- Access to a workplace placement scheme to build experience
Nova Scotia ‘Study and Stay’: Who is eligible?
- Students in China, India and the Philippines who are interested in pursuing university, college or post-graduate studies enrolled in any of the following levels of study at a Nova Scotian post-secondary institution: NSCC diploma program, university undergraduate, masters, or doctorate.
- International K-12 students currently studying at a Nova Scotia high school – from China, India and the Philippines.
- Applicants must be accepted into their chosen post-secondary institution in Nova Scotia to receive conditional acceptance into the program. Final acceptance will be given once the applicant receives the appropriate study permit by IRCC.
Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.
Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.
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