Program expanded for international students
Amy Leitner
News Reporter
Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program (OPNP) has announced changes that will benefit international students looking to live and work in the province, but Humber students may still find the job hunt challenging.
“There are approximately 800 international students here,” said Dalyce Newby, Humber’s international student adviser. “The revisions to the pilot OPNP will be fairly positive for Humber students. But there are still many restrictions and the requirements are high.”
One significant change made to the program is now students from across Canada can have equal opportunity when applying for jobs in Ontario, said Michel Payen-Dumont, media relations officer at the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration.
“Before the changes, the program applied only to students in Ontario,” he said.
Another important change, according to Payen-Dumont, is “international students will no longer be restricted to the program’s occupation list, which used to be limited to only 20 occupations such as health, education, and manufacturing.”
The program was launched last May and allows employers to recruit individuals who are newcomers to Ontario.
“The problem for Humber students is that they are not given much time to obtain a post-graduate work permit,” Newby said. “Because of the 90-day limit to get one, students may find it difficult to find a job that meets their standards.”
Prateek Thapar, 21, a second-year business administration student from India, says Humber does well at offering extra help for students who want a job after graduation.
“The career centre has experts who provide help in making perfect resumes and cover letters,” Thapar said. “The best thing is that they don’t make it for you, but refine what you already have.”
The career centre at Humber provides help to international students.
“Whether it is regarding transferring to a university, or looking for a prospective job, the career centre played a major role in solving many of my problems and answering my questions,” Thapar said.
“My teachers are always willing to assist me when I need extra help,” said Gina Kuo, from Taiwan, in her second year of business management. “I work part-time at the International Centre here at the North Campus and it has been a great opportunity in helping me learn to speak more fluent English.”
Payen-Dumont said the changes will make it easier for international students to get permission to work in the country.