The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC)has  launched the Canada Readiness Tool, which it claims is the most robust tool developed to date to help internationally educated ICT professionals (IEPs) from around the world integrate more effectively into the Canadian workforce.

Funded by the Government of Canada's Foreign Credential Recognition Program, the Canada Readiness Tool is a bilingual, online competency-based self-assessment tool that educates IEPs about the three C's for success in the Canadian ICT workplace – Culture, Communication and Competencies.

After incorporating feedback from partners and ICT IEPs overseas in India, China and the Philippines and across Canada in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, the Canada Readiness Tool offers three self-assessment modules on Workplace Culture, Workplace Communication, and Workplace Competencies as well as guides on resumé building, interview preparation, and the Canadian ICT labour market.

Paul D. Swinwood, President of ICTC, said that the Canada Readiness Tool is the first tool of its kind developed to meet the needs of the ICT workforce in Canada.

The tool was launched at ICTC's 2010 Immigration Initiatives Partnership Celebration in Ottawa, which recognized the successful launch of multiple programs, resources and tools developed for IEPs and employers, including a highly effective pilot bridge-to-work program (IWES), pilot mentorship programs, and various guides for IEPs. These have been developed with the integral support of partners and stakeholders under the Internationally Educated Professionals (IEP) Integration Initiative project, as part of ICTC's Immigration Initiatives. Leaders from industry, government, and immigrant serving agencies attended the event to celebrate the successes of the IEP Integration Initiative and launch of the Canada Readiness Tool.