There are basically two different configurations of bridging programs. The one type, I would say, is familiarization with the practice and the profession, and basically an exam preparation type of course. The other type of program that exists in Canada for our profession is more focused on a true examination of the gaps and deficiencies of the individual. They use the prior learning assessment that we do as a basis for evaluating what the candidate needs or what gaps they need to fill.
If they have too many gaps, they can't do it through a bridging program; they have to go back to school. They are offered in community colleges. There are two in Ontario, one in B.C., and there was one in Alberta for one session.
At this point, they have received some funding through HRSDC as pilot projects. However, it's the ongoing funding. They are offered for a couple of years, and then all of a sudden they're cut loose on their own and they have to be self-funding. Again, it's this whole issue of cost to the new immigrant. They cost more to offer—I've heard, between $8,000 and $10,000. A new immigrant doesn't have that to pay.
So there needs to be some different funding mechanisms for ongoing support of them. That's a key thing for the future.
The one other consideration we have is the resource within our office to facilitate the work that needs to be done on prior learning assessment, the funding to assist us. We've developed the mechanisms. We have them working. We could make them go faster if we had some additional resources.