Featured Organization: World Education Services (WES)

World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise that supports the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students. For nearly 50 years, WES has set the standard for international academic credential evaluation, supporting millions of people as they seek to achieve their academic and professional goals. Through decades of experience as a leader in global education, WES has developed a wide range of tools to pursue social impact at scale. From evaluating academic credentials to shaping policy, designing programs, and providing philanthropic funding, WES partners with a diverse set of organizations, leaders, and networks to uplift individuals and drive systems change. Together with its partners, WES enables people to learn, work, and thrive in new places.

Evaluating and verifying academic credentials is an essential part of the immigration process. However, it is well documented that the recognition of credentials earned abroad is only one step in a long journey that many immigrants and refugees face to have their skills and experience recognized and rewarded in the labour market. WES engages in strategic collaboration with government, agencies, non-profits, and local communities to impact policies and to develop and advocate for solutions to the challenges that prevent immigrants and refugees from reaching their professional and personal goals in Canada. In addition to driving systemic change through partnership, WES undertakes research and policy advocacy initiatives that are grounded in evidence towards supporting the full labour market integration of individuals who have earned their credentials abroad. Drawing from a vast collection of primary data on international education and information about the skills and intentions of migrants to Canada, WES conducts evidence-based and evidence-generating policy research to inform our work and that of our partners. For example, our 2022 report “One Year-Later: Canada’s Enduring Appeal to Prospective Immigrants in the Face of COVID-19" provided insights into the motivations and intentions of prospective immigrants to Canada.

In the context of the post-pandemic health human resource workforce needs, resolving the long-standing issue of underutilization of internationally educated health professionals (IEHPs) is more urgent than ever. IEHPs continue to face barriers that impede their ability to become licensed to practice in Canada and access commensurate employment. As Canada grapples with a health human resource crisis, it is critical for the skills of IEHPs to be recognized and integrated. Our most recent policy brief, “Expanding Pathways to Licensure for Internationally Trained Physicians in Ontario: How to Get There and Why it Matters” explores the benefits of implementing effective health human resource measures that enable IEHP integration, improving access to care and sustainability within the sector. In coordination with IEHPs and stakeholders in the health ecosystem, WES continues to advocate for multi-stakeholder solutions to facilitate the development and implementation of systems level strategies that will ensure a more equitable labour force in Ontario and throughout Canada. Learn more about our advocacy efforts to end the underutilization of IEHPs.