Summary of the FCRO Stakeholder Engagement on the Pan-Canadian Information Centre

Background

Further to the information sessions held across Canada in November 2009, the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO) conducted a series of focus testing sessions across Canada in April 2010 with a view to:

• present a mock version of the Web site to solicit feedback on different aspects of the site such as look and feel, functionality, and specific Foreign Qualification Recognition terminology, etc;
• build on previous feedback from the November 2009 sessions; and,
• engage stakeholders by providing them with a limited amount of content on the Web site for feedback/comments.

1. Methodology

A total of 12 focus groups were conducted across Canada from April 12th to April 28th, 2010 in the following locations:

• Halifax (2 sessions);
• Montreal (1 session, in French);
• Ottawa (2 sessions);
• Toronto (2 sessions);
• Winnipeg (2 sessions);
• Regina (1 session)
• Edmonton (1 session); and
• Vancouver (1 session)

105 stakeholders participated in the sessions representing the following groups: provincial/territorial, and federal governments, immigrant-serving agencies, employers, regulatory bodies, sector councils and academia.

2. Highlights & Results

The majority of participants said that they would visit the site once it was launched and expressed interest in its membership. The idea of creating a virtual space, in which stakeholders in the field of international qualification assessment and recognition can come together to exchange information, was universally seen as excellent.
The key challenges expressed by participants included:

• Stakeholders can currently access some information on best practices and related information through a number of web sites (i.e., there is some competition out there)
• Potentially significant internal organizational barriers. For the majority of participants, active participation in the International Qualifications Network (IQN) appeared to require a significant amount of coordination and effort within their organization.
• Keeping information up-to-date. There was strong agreement that the information available on the site must be kept up-to-date in order to encourage stakeholders to join the community and be active members

Participants recommended the following to improve the Web site:

• Ensure that category keywords and metadata be refined to reflect Foreign Qualification Recognition terminology.
• Develop a clear theme & name for the Web site IQN. The name International Qualifications Network was popular with participants.
• Develop a more compelling look and feel to convey it effectively on the Welcome page.
• Convey a clear welcome message to identify the target audience on the Home page.
• Continue to engage stakeholders and consider conducting a final limited round of testing prior to launch with a selected group of stakeholders (potential early adopters).

Top of Page

3. Advisory Council

Participants were in favour of an Advisory Council for the Web site. The council’s mandate, in its first year, will be to make recommendations on policies and guidelines used by the FCRO to administer the Web site.

Members of the Advisory Council will represent various stakeholder groups that contribute to the Web site such as: Provincial, Territorial and Federal Governments, Immigrant Serving Organizations, Accreditation Bodies, Sector Councils, Professional Associations, Employers, and Academic Institutions.

The FCRO is currently making arrangements to host an initial meeting of the Advisory Council to take place in July 2010.

4. Next steps

Next steps for the Pan-Canadian Information Centre project include the following:

• Host the first meeting of the Advisory Council.
• Make necessary adjustments to the Web site based on the feedback and recommendations received as part of the focus test results;
• Determine and announce the official name for the Web site;
• Exploring options for a revised look and feel for the Web site;
• Develop engagements strategy for Web site, including branding and marketing; and,
• Work with early adopters to post initiatives before the Web site launches in December 2010.

5. Conclusion

Overall, participants are very supportive of the proposed Web site objectives and tools. Participants proposed innovative ideas as to how the Web site could be used as a tool for promoting and sharing information on Foreign Credentials Recognition issues with the FCRO and other stakeholders.

The FCRO wishes to thank all the participants for their time and input on this important initiative.

If you have any questions or any ideas that you would like to share, please contact:

Allain Lauzon
Senior Analyst
Foreign Credentials Referral Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
150 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa ON K1A 1L1 | Bureau MET 1222
e-mail: allain.Lauzon@cic.gc.ca
Telephone: 613-960-0117 Fax: 613-941-531