Filipino BC and S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Partner to Support Internationally Educated Health Professionals
June 23, 2026
Filipino BC and S.U.C.C.E.S.S. invite internationally educated health professionals and community members to join an upcoming session on the Active Career Connect and Engagement Project for Internationally Educated Health Professionals (ACCEP-IEHP).
Taking place on Monday, June 29, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sunset Community Centre multipurpose room (6810 Main St), this free session will provide practical information about employment supports available to internationally educated health professionals who are navigating career transitions in Canada.
The session is part of Kusina, which means "kitchen" in Tagalog, a series of workshops presented by Filipino BC with support from the Law Foundation of BC, combining a shared hot meal with community education, resource navigation, and opportunities for connection.
Rooted in the Filipino values of care, community, and bayanihan (mutual support), Kusina creates welcoming spaces where people can access timely, accurate information, build relationships, and find support. While the program is rooted in Filipino experiences, it was created for everyone and welcomes participants from all cultural backgrounds.
Despite Canada's ongoing healthcare workforce shortages, many internationally educated health professionals remain underemployed. Statistics Canada reports that Filipino Canadians educated outside of Canada experience some of the highest rates of overqualification in the country, with rates exceeding 60 per cent, even though nursing was the field of study for over one-fifth of Filipino women and one-tenth of Filipino men.
"Far too often, internationally educated healthcare professionals arrive in Canada with years of education, training, and experience, only to encounter barriers that prevent them from working in their chosen professions," said Jay Cavales, Community Liaison Officer at S.U.C.C.E.S.S. "At the same time, healthcare systems across the country continue to face workforce shortages.”
The conversation comes at a critical moment for B.C.'s healthcare system. On Friday, members of the BC Nurses' Union voted to reject a tentative agreement with the province, citing ongoing concerns about working conditions and workload pressures. As governments, employers, and unions work to address staffing shortages and improve nurse-to-patient ratios, many internationally educated health professionals continue to face lengthy and costly pathways to credential recognition and employment.
"When we talk about healthcare shortages, we often focus on recruitment," said Nicola Espiritu, Vice Chair of Filipino BC and a nurse. "But there are internationally educated nurses and health professionals already living in our communities who are working outside their professions while patients wait for care. If B.C. needs more healthcare workers to support safe nurse-to-patient ratios and strengthen our healthcare system, we should also be asking what barriers are preventing qualified professionals from entering the workforce."
Challenges such as credential recognition, licensing requirements, limited Canadian work experience, financial constraints, and unfamiliarity with local systems often delay or prevent skilled professionals from working in their fields.
The session will introduce attendees to the Active Career Connect and Engagement Project for Internationally Educated Health Professionals (ACCEP-IEHP), a program funded in part by Employment and Social Development Canada through the Government of Canada's Foreign Credential Recognition Program. ACCEP-IEHP supports internationally educated health professionals through individualized career guidance, employment readiness training, mentorship opportunities, focused workshops, and subsidized work experience placements.
"Kusina was created to make information, resources, and support more accessible in a welcoming community setting," said Kristina Corpin Moser, Executive Director of Filipino BC. "We know that many internationally educated professionals arrive in Canada with extensive experience, qualifications, and a strong desire to contribute to their communities. Programs like ACCEP-IEHP help people better understand the pathways available to them while reducing barriers to information, support, and opportunity."
This session may be especially beneficial for internationally educated nurses, caregivers, health care assistants, physicians, pharmacists, physiotherapists, medical laboratory professionals, and other internationally trained health professionals seeking guidance on employment, financial support, credential recognition, and career transition in Canada.
Event Details
Kusina: Internationally Educated Health Professionals (ACCEP-IEHP)
Date: Monday, June 29, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Sunset Community Centre - Multipurpose Room (6810 Main St)
Cost: Free
Registration Options:
Fill out the online form here
Call 778-623-2030 and leave a message
Email programs@filipinobc.com
Register at the door (aliases welcome for those with precarious legal status)
