By Scott Larson, The StarPhoenix

Babar Sultan listened intently to the announcement that he might be eligible to receive up to a $10,000 microloan to help pay for the costs associated with obtaining Canadian accreditation for his accounting skills.

“After getting my credentials recognized and getting my licence, I can jump into my field,” said Sultan, who recently arrived in Saskatoon from Pakistan.

On Wednesday, the federal government announced that Immigrant Access Fund (IAF) of Saskatchewan will receive $1.7 million dollars to fund micro-loans given to internationally trained professionals to help finance the costs of having their credentials recognized in Canada. IAF also received $450,000 through a multi-year agreement with the Government of Saskatchewan and $100,000 from the Morris Foundation.

Sultan graduated from a two-year commerce program followed by a two-year master’s degree majoring in finance back in his native country. He needs to get those qualifications accredited before spending another two years at the Edwards School of Business.

Immigrant faces barriers in career path

By ERICA BULMAN, 24 HOURS

When doctor Tanveer Ahmed’s family calls from Bangladesh to hear about his new life in Canada, he hides the fact he’s now a server at Pizza Hut. He doesn’t tell them his wife is working at McDonald’s. Or that they’re living in a tiny basement suite.

Tanveer Ahmed, pictured with his ticket to Canada

Ahmed, 30, is one of tens of thousands of immigrants coming each year to Metro Vancouver whose credentials aren’t recognized and for whom the upgrading process is a grueling, uphill battle.

“I tell my relatives, I say, ‘Yes I got a job but not in my field,” Ahmed said. “They don’t ask any more questions. They know the situation.

“When I came here, I had bigger dreams.”

Ahmed — who arrived here with his wife Syeda Farzana last October — could become one of 350 immigrants in the Greater Vancouver area to benefit from a new pilot project announced Wednesday offering loans to help internationally trained professionals pursue additional training and licensing exams. Once their training and exams have been completed, the workers will be able to pay back the loans within flexible time periods.

According to the 2012 census, Canada’s 5.9% growth rate is largely fueled by immigration. Yet for many internationally trained professionals, the cost of licensing exams, training and skills upgrading creates a sometimes-insurmountable barrier to credential recognition.

“A government loan would really help. This is an expensive city,” said Ahmed, who is making minimum wage — $9.50 an hour. Rent for his tiny one-bedroom basement East Vancouver apartment is $750. Ahmed and Farzana can’t afford a car, let alone start the family they want.