With a small loan of up to $5,000, immigrants can fund an accreditation process that allows them to work in their chosen field in some capacity. Funding supports foreign trained professionals and trades people for a period of study and examination fees, or short term upgrading. Until IAF was formed, there was no existing micro loan facility in Alberta to meet this need.

Applicants can borrow up to $5,000 for:

• Tuition fees with a recognized post secondary institution
• Cost of books and course materials
• Exam fees
• Living allowance during study time
• Travel expenses to write exams
• Qualification assessments
• Professional association fees

Realizing the urgent need for assistance in this area, IAF has formed a partnership with Momentum and Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN) to market the program and find suitable applicants for loans. After IAF approves the loans, Momentum and EMCN administer loans and guide participants.

Funds required to support these loans are solicited from the community and invested in a Flow Through Fund at The Calgary Foundation. Donors may also choose to contribute to IAF's endowment fund to ensure the sustainability of this unique program. Contributions may also be made to support IAF events and operations.

Alberta may experience a labour shortage as high as 111,000 workers in the next 10 years. The labour is expected to grow by 441,000 while 330,000 workers are expected to join the labour force.

Alberta’s Occupational Demand and Supply Outlook
(2007 – 2017)
Alberta Employment and Immigration