HR Resources » Human Resource Advice » Recruitment Strategies » Foreign credentials - tips for assessing international training

With today’s international mobility, companies can expect to hire people who’ve lived, worked or studied in other countries. Hiring global candidates with foreign credentials has become a great way to attract star employees and cope with a skills shortage. In fact, many employees have lived, worked in studied in multiple countries, leaving a trail of international breadcrumbs. But how do you know how  foreign credentials stack up against those here at home?

International education and training programs may go by confusing names, at least by Canadian and US standards. For example, the European Diploma of Specialist sounds like a college program, but it’s actually more like a bachelors. And ancient Scottish universities offer a Master of Arts as a first degree. A French baccalauréat actually certifies the end of high school. In some European countries, students study a trade in depth during secondary school, not as part of a college program. Given the maze of education and training programs, you may want some help in assessing foreign credentials.

Use a credential evaluation service

Pay for credential evaluation services. Contact one of the five members of the Association of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada, such as International Qualifications Assessment Service, World Education Services or International Credit Evaluation Services.

Talk to groups that work with immigrants

Contact settlement groups and community agencies that help newcomers and foreign workers. These organizations can often share advice on evaluating international credentials.

Ask candidates to have credentials assessed

In job postings and on your website, direct foreign-trained applicants to have their credentials evaluated. Include a link to Association of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada or your province’s local service, such as International Qualifications Assessment Service, World Education Services or International Credit Evaluation Services.

Related to international credentials

• Hiring a foreign worker or non-Canadian
• Global Recruitment: Tips for closing the deal
• Hiring a foreign worker or non-Canadian