Dear Editor,

I write in response to the recent articles regarding the suspension of all programmes designed to train practical nurses for Canadian jobs. It is unfortunate that the participants of the programmes seem not to be informed of the following:

(1) No one can guarantee a job to an individual living outside of Canada to work in Canada, including the prospective employer, as preference is given to those already living and authorised to work in Canada such as Canadian citizens, permanent residents and international students who are also allowed to work during their studies and after their studies to obtain permanent residency.

(2) To be qualified for nursing and practical nursing programmes in Canada, one must possess, among other things, CXC English, mathematics, biology (not human and social biology), and chemistry or physics.

It is not that it is impossible for such work programmes to be effective, but the likely result is that most individuals will not obtain placement in Canada, or at least they will not obtain placement in a timely fashion, for the reasons stated above.

Participants must be given notice of these circumstances for them to make informed decisions, as many affected participants seem to have been misled to believe that the programmes not only guarantee fast and automatic placement, but also guarantees Canadian citizenship immediately, which is certainly not the case.

Canada is certainly one of the best nations in the world. It is under-populated and encourages individuals from around the world to live there. However, suffice it to say that studying in Canada as an international student is the safest and most predictable approach for success.

Antonn Brown

Canadian Education Specialist

jamaica2canada@gmail.com