Recognition Counts

Recognition Counts helps skilled immigrants to achieve their career goals in Canada. If you are a skilled immigrant, you can access supports including:  

• Financial counselling 
• A chance to apply for a loan of up to $30,000 with Assiniboine Credit Union to help with the cost of having your qualifications recognized in Manitoba 
• Assistance obtaining employment in your field of expertise or a related or alternative field 

Recognition Counts loans are flexible, personal, and affordable. You can use the money for the costs associated with achieving your career goals in Canada, including:  

• living expenses (food, housing, transportation, childcare, etc.) 
• tuition, textbooks and computers 
• costs associated with the process of registration with a professional regulatory body, or Apprenticeship Manitoba (exam fees, professional registration costs, etc.) 
• tools, equipment, work clothes, personal protective equipment needed for your work 

Recognition Counts loans are offered based on the following terms. 

Amount 

Up to $30,000 

Term 

The loan is offered over a maximum term of up to 7½ year term depending on need and purpose. 

Rate 

You can choose between a fixed interest rate or a variable interest rate for your loan. Interest rates are based on Assiniboine Credit Union’s Prime rate + 1.00%. As of October 2024, the rate is currently 5.95%. 

Fees 

There are no loan fees, and you can pay off the loan at any time without penalty. 

You must be a skilled immigrant seeking to work in your field of expertise or a related or alternative field in Manitoba. You must also be:

• a Permanent Resident of Canada, or an individual granted refugee status in Canada and who is legally permitted to work in Canada, or, a Canadian citizen, or a Temporary Foreign Worker with an open Work Permit (including CUAET visa holders)
• a Manitoba resident
• living on a low income

Your gross household income must be less than the amount listed below. Enter the number of people who live in your household to see the maximum household income for this program.

How you apply depends on whether you are enrolled in a recognized bridging program. 

If you are not taking a bridging program: 

1. Determine your Referral Partner and make an appointment with a Career Coach. 
2. Tell your Career Coach about your career plan and discuss if a Recognition Counts loan is appropriate for you. If that is the case, you will receive your registration code. 
3. Complete your Career Action Plan online at apply.recognitioncounts.ca. To log in for the first time, click the Register button, then use your Registration Code to complete the log in process. Completing the Career Action Plan shows your experience and qualifications to work in your chosen field in Manitoba. The work you put into this plan will also help you decide if applying for a Recognition Counts loan is the best decision for your future. 
4. Your employment counsellor will review your Career Action Plan. If approved, it will then be submitted to Recognition Counts 
5. A Program Coordinator from the Recognition Counts program will contact you to attend an information session. You will learn more about the program and how to apply for a Recognition Counts loan. 
6. If you decide to apply for the Recognition Counts loan, and your application is approved, you will then meet with an Assiniboine Credit Union account manager to complete the loan process. 

If you have been accepted into a bridging program: 

1. Ask the Coordinator of your program for the Recognition Counts Registration Code. 
2. Complete your Career Action Plan online at apply.recognitioncounts.ca. To log in for the first time, click the Register button, then use your Registration Code to complete the log in process. Completing the Career Action Plan shows your experience and qualifications to work in your chosen field in Manitoba. The work you put into this plan will also help you decide if applying for a Recognition Counts loan is the best decision for your future. 
3. Once your Career Action Plan is completed and submitted, a Recognition Counts Program Coordinator will contact you to attend an intake session. You will learn more about the program, as well as how to apply for a Recognition Counts loan. 
4. If you decide to apply for a Recognition Counts loan and it is approved, you will then meet with an Assiniboine Credit Union account manager to complete the loan process. 

Please call us at 204-927-9937 or email rc_info@seedwinnipeg.ca if you have any questions. 

Referral Partners 

Contact and make an appointment with a Career Coach at a location close to you: 

Bridging Programs 

Ask the bridging program staff to provide you with an access code to complete your Career Action Plan online.