Before immigrating to Canada, Guy Rigobert Donjio worked in Cameroon, a state in central and west Africa, as a nurse and, subsequently, as an anesthetist at the regional hospital of Bafoussam, the third largest city in importance located in the west of the country. His wife taught at an elementary school. It only took seven months to immigrate to Canada.
For six years I worked there as a nurse. Subsequently, I specialized in anesthesia to practice this new work, in the same place, for four years,” he explains.
In his case, with experience in hand, it was easier to obtain, in advance, work equivalences as a nurse with the Order of Nurses of Quebec (OIIQ).
“I completed this stage from Cameroon. The OIIQ validated my diplomas. This is why I quickly obtained an offer to settle with my family in Quebec. »
Studies at Cégep de St-Félicien
However, to work in a hospital center in Quebec, he had to enroll at the Cégep de St-Félicien, for an Attestation of Collegial Studies (AEC) in Integration into the nursing profession in Quebec. The AEC is aimed at people with degrees in health and social services from outside Canada. Quebec facilitates the recruitment, reception and integration of health and social services professionals qualified outside Canada who are proficient in French. It supports and helps candidates and establishments during the recruitment and immigration processes.
“We obtained a contract with the CIUSSS du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and I am already qualified as an international nurse. I will be able to work at the end of the training, i.e. at the end of August 2025. The training lasts one year. At Cégep we are taught the way of doing things in Quebec. »
Multi-step approach
The collegial process, however, involves several stages.
“It was the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) that recruited me. On February 19, I received the invitation from MIFI. Subsequently, I was invited, virtually, to a job interview which took place on March 13. Subsequently, we undertook immigration procedures. It was very quick. The process only lasted seven months. »
Throughout the training, Guy Rigobert Donjio and his family benefit from government assistance of $2,000 per month paid by Quebec as part of the Skills Recognition Assistance Program (PARC).
Teacher in Cameroon
For Claudette Ngoufouo, aged 46, the journey was different. Being his partner, she was able to follow her husband and immigrate to Quebec with their children. Before arriving in Canada, she pursued her career as a primary school teacher in Cameroon.
“We sold everything to carry out this project. In Roberval I work in the kitchen of the Maison des Aînés de Roberval. I was offered this job, full-time, as part of the general jobs offered by the CIUSSS,” she explains.
