The landscape of the Canadian pharmacy workforce is diverse, with International Pharmacy Graduates (IPGs) making up a substantial portion of the profession. Despite their importance to the Canadian pharmacy workforce, IPGs face many challenges and barriers in their journey to becoming registered pharmacists in Canada. Recognizing these challenges, and with funding from the Government of Canada’s Foreign Credential Recognition Program, CPhA has launched the IPG Mentorship and Integration Project (IPGMI), an initiative aimed at assisting unlicensed IPGs across the country with mentorship, practical experience and other key integration supports to increase their chances of success at licensure and integration into Canadian pharmacy practice.
At its core, this project seeks to address the unique needs of unlicensed IPGs using a few different approaches. Through structured mentorship programs, virtual platforms and in-person engagements and work opportunities, unlicensed IPGs at different stages of licensure will be connected with mentors who can help guide them as they learn about Canadian pharmacy practice and move through the licensure process.
In collaboration with ACCES Employment, this program offers a lifeline to IPGs, providing clarity on pathways to licensure and even alternative career opportunities within the pharmacy sector. ACCES Employment’s extensive experience in supporting immigrant professionals further strengthens the project’s impact, ensuring that IPGs receive holistic support encompassing both career navigation and integration into Canadian society.
But it’s not just about providing information and employment supports—it’s about fostering a sense of belonging and community. By connecting IPGs with mentors from diverse backgrounds and experiences through group and one-on-one mentorship activities, the project aims to build professional networks and create opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Recognizing the pivotal role of handson learning in preparing IPGs for licensure exams and integration into Canadian pharmacy settings, practical experience is a key component of the project, which has been modelled after NAPRA’s successful P4T program. Mentored work placements in pharmacies across Canada will offer IPGs invaluable exposure to pharmacy practice. Under the guidance of experienced mentors, IPGs will have the opportunity to hone their skills and prepare for licensure and future practice in a supportive environment.
The project will also raise awareness about the challenges faced by IPGs among pharmacy employers and non-immigrant staff. With tailored training programs, employers will gain insights into the obstacles encountered by IPGs and receive guidance on fostering inclusive and supportive work environments.
As the project unfolds over the next 4 years, we hope that its influence will reach further than helping pharmacists get licensed, and that it will spark a shift towards more inclusive and supportive environments for all pharmacists across Canada. The IPGMI project is not only supporting IPGs seeking licensure in Canada and fostering diversity within the workforce, it is also strengthening the pharmacy profession, addressing critical workforce shortages and ensuring that it is better equipped to meet the health-care needs of our communities.
For this project to be successful, we’re seeking participation from pharmacy stakeholders across Canada, including:
• Unlicensed IPGs to participate in mentorship activities, including paid work placements in community pharmacies.
• Licensed pharmacist mentors willing to share their knowledge and experiences with unlicensed IPGs through a variety of mentorship activities, including mentored work placements, mentored group learning sessions (virtual and in-person), mentorship engagements (virtual) and one-on-one mentorship (virtual).
• Pharmacies willing to host mentored work placements to help unlicensed IPGs gain practical knowledge, skills and experience in Canadian pharmacy settings.
• Pharmacy owners, managers and teams interested in virtual training to increase their understanding of the challenges and barriers faced by IPGs and promote the successful integration of IPGs into their pharmacy practice.
Visit www.pharmacists.ca/ipgmi for more information about the project and how you can participate.