The SEIU Healthcare Training Centre is proud to announce it has been granted over $500,000 in funding from the Future Skills Centre (FSC) under the Skills Horizon – Strengthening Outcomes Stream. This grant will provide comprehensive support for fifty (50) Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) as they complete SEIU Healthcare’s IEN Career Pathway Program and move toward full licensure and employment in Canada’s healthcare system.

The IEN Career Pathway Program is designed to eliminate the systemic barriers that internationally trained nurses often face. Through a combination of one-to-one case management, financial assistance, and tailored training, participants receive everything they need to prepare for the REX-PN licensing exam, meet CELBAN language standards, and gain the skills necessary to integrate into Canadian workplaces with confidence.

The Future Skills Centre, a national initiative dedicated to forward-looking workforce development, is investing in programs like SEIU Healthcare’s to improve outcomes for underrepresented and equity-deserving groups. The funding will help the Training Centre scale access, improve support structures, and expand the number of qualified nurses entering the workforce.

“This investment is a testament to what happens when we believe in the potential of people and act with urgency to fix the healthcare staffing crisis,” said Tyler Downey, President of SEIU Healthcare.

“We’re proud to support internationally educated nurses and give them a real pathway to work, recognition, and opportunity. Together with the Future Skills Centre, we’re building a stronger, more inclusive healthcare workforce.”

The SEIU Healthcare Training Centre is Canada’s first union-led training institution, committed to empowering healthcare workers with the education, support, and career pathways they need to thrive. This latest partnership with FSC signals a shared commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery through equitable and innovative workforce development.