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The first pilot program of its type for architects in Canada
Toronto, ON -- The summer solstice provided a beautiful evening for the participants to gather in the OAA Lounge for The Ontario Association of Architects’ (OAA) launch of the Group Mentoring, Online Mentoring and Employer Outreach Pilot Program for Internationally-Trained Professionals (ITPs) in the architectural profession. The initiative is in partnership with JVS Toronto and funded by the Government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration.
 OAA President, David Craddock welcomed the more than 50 guests. He spoke about the successful partnership with the Government and JVS.
 Kevin King, Senior Program & Policy Consultant, Labour Market Integration Unit, Ministry of Citizenship & Immigration
 emphasized the Government’s enthusiasm for this program. JVS Toronto, Vice President, Program Development, Anat Wertheim
provided an overview of JVS Toronto’s long history of providing employment services to newcomers and other community groups.
 Jeff Perry, Chair of the OAA ITP Task Force for the past 2 years gave an overview of the pilot program.
The Group Mentoring, Online Mentoring and Employer Outreach Pilot Program for Internationally-Trained Professionals in the architectural profession is intended to develop and pilot a multi-pronged initiative - utilizing group mentoring, online mentoring and employer outreach to address challenges faced by Internationally-Trained Professionals in integrating into the architectural profession.
“ITPs can help us meet the demand for architectural services in Ontario in the future,” said Jeff Perry
 Eighteen Internationally-Trained Professionals from the Greater Toronto area, who will be participating in the pilot program, were introduced. These professionals immigrated to Canada from nine countries: China, Colombia, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Sierra-Leone and Syria. Each will be partnered with one of three architects who will be a mentor and assist them in integrating into the architectural profession.
 
 Brigid Elmy, JVS Toronto demonstrated Canadianinfonet Online Mentoring Web site, hosted by JVS Toronto, that will be used to facilitate online mentoring for five ITP newcomers and five architects.
  Intern Architect, Adriana Trujillo and Architect Cornel Ionescu spoke about their personal experiences as newcomers to the architectural profession in Ontario, offered advice and shared their successes. Both are currently working in the profession, inToronto.
 Community leaders were also in attendance and some took the opportunity to mingle and confirm their support for the initiative. After the presentations and a chance to network, the ITP protégés met with their mentors.
 The first phase of the program, group mentoring, begins immediately. Online mentoring, employer outreach activities and a phase two of the group mentoring activities will begin this fall.
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