Beruflich Dokumente
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A SIX STEP
GUIDE
www.prepareforcanada.com
Contents
Chapter One: Pre-Arrival
Chapter Two: Skills Development
Chapter Three: Understanding
Canadian Workplaces
Chapter Four: Job Finding
Techniques
Chapter Five: Associations
Chapter Six: Employment:
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Career Pathways
Chapter One
Pre-Arrival
Engineering is a regulated profession in Canada and you need a
license to work as a professional engineer.
You cannot call yourself a professional engineer, use the professional
designation (P.Eng.) or carry out engineering work in Canada unless
you have a license. Each province and territory of Canada has its own
regulatory structure to license engineers, and to govern the practice of
engineering and integrating skilled immigrants.
Engineers Canada is the national organization for the 12 provincial and territorial
associations that regulate the practice of engineering in the country. You need to
apply directly to the appropriate provincial regulatory authority to become licensed as
an engineer in Canada.
It is important to have a general
overview of how your
international qualifications may
be viewed in Canada as well as
an understanding of the
Canadian labour market and
workplace culture.
There are many steps that you
can take before immigrating to
Canada to improve your
chances of success to practice
your profession in your new
country.
Contact the Canadian diplomatic mission closest to you to find out about the
employment requirements for the engineering occupation in Canada.
Contact the regulatory association mandated with regulating engineers in the
province where you will settle in Canada and enquire about the specific procedure to
follow to obtain an Engineers permit and the steps in the licensing process that you
can take prior to immigrating and afterward.
Understand how your profession is practiced in Canada and familiarize yourself with
the laws and legislation that governs your profession in the province where you will
settle.
Career Pathways > Engineering
Success Story:
Aracelli Abramovs Canadian
Chapter Two
Skills Development
Education
Many immigrants continue
their education after
coming to Canada. Some
even want to change
careers or enhance their
careers with a Ph.D or
MBA.
Skills Upgrading
You may possess strong technical skills, but
often that is not enough to get a job or maintain it
afterward. You may need more training or skills
upgrading, especially regarding your soft skills.
Employers in Canada expect engineers to have
Alberta:
Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) Calgary
Engineering and Technology Upgrading Program
The Engineering & Technology Upgrading Program is an integrated training program
that provides upgrading and Canadian work experience to help foreign educated
professionals integrate into the local engineering industry. This program promotes
employability and career development in the participants related engineering
discipline.
Bredin Centre for Learning
Building Information Modeling (BIM) Program
The Building Information Modeling (BIM) program is designed to bridge internationally
educated engineering professionals into professional jobs as Engineering
Designers/Drafters.
The program is a 28 week course that integrates language training with different
levels of computer software training, culminating with comprehensive training in the
suite of Revit BIM software programs.
Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN)
Engineers and Technologists Integration Program (ETIP)
The program facilitates the professional accreditation and labour market access of
internationally educated engineers through training, which meets local business
demand by developing participants English language proficiency and assists in
adapting and improving previously learned skills to Canadian Standards.
Manitoba:
University of Manitoba
Internationally Educated Engineers Qualification Program
This program provides a pathway for immigrants with engineering credentials
obtained outside of Canada to meet part of the licensing requirements for
professional engineering practice in Manitoba.
University of Winnipeg
English for Engineering Professionals
This 12-week course is for internationally educated engineering graduates who live in
Manitoba and are planning to resume their engineering career in Manitoba.
Participants should also be in the process of having their credentials recognized by
the regulatory body in Manitoba. An online course is also available for participants
who are unable to attend the classroom course due to special circumstances.
University of Winnipeg
Technical Communication for Engineering Professionals
This 12-week course is for internationally educated engineering graduates who are
permanent residents of Canada with Canadian Language Benchmark levels of 7 or
higher. It focuses on English skills needed for success in practicing engineering in
Manitoba. It is a 12-week classroom program and is offered in the Winter
session. The pre-requisite for this course is the ESP course, English for Engineering
Professionals, which is also offered at the University of Winnipeg.
Career Pathways > Engineering
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Ontario:
ACCES Employment
Engineering Connections
This program helps internationally trained engineers learn about the engineering
labour market and the licensure process in Ontario. Participants study effective job
search strategies, workplace communication and employer expectations. In addition,
the program provides workshops on project management, software for engineers and
Canadian Engineering Codes.
Ryerson University
Internationally Educated Engineers Qualification Bridging (IEEQB) Program
This program provides internationally educated engineers with an opportunity to meet
the academic requirements for professional engineering licensure in Ontario. It is
offered in collaboration with Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO).
Humber College
Engineering Software Skills Enhancement Bridging Program
This is a 15-week bridging program for internationally educated mechanical, electrical
or civil engineers and architecture professionals with training in the latest technical
and software skills in demand by Ontario employers. More than 85% of program
graduates have secured jobs such as Engineers in Training (EIT), Project Managers,
Structural Engineers, Estimators, and Design Engineers within six months of
graduation.
There is more to the success of these Bridging Programs than their impressive
statistics. In a short time, they can enable you to integrate into the country, and most
importantly, into a meaningful job.
Humber College
Mobile Systems Integration Bridging Program
This bridging program is for internationally trained immigrants with education and
experience in information technology, computer science or engineering (computer,
electronics or electrical). Over 15 weeks, you will learn advanced concepts and gain
skills in computer networking, information security, installation and configuration of
servers in a virtualized environment with an emphasis on operating systems.
Graduates from this program are now working as Systems Analysts, IT/Network
Administrators, Network Analysts, and more.
Humber College
Occupation Specific Language Training: Project Management
This FREE occupation-specific language training course in project management
provides immigrants with the workplace culture and language skills to communicate
effectively on the job.
OSLT Project Management is an intensive program for immigrant professionals who
have training and/or experience in Project Management from outside Canada.
This program provides you with the technical work-related training which you require
to enter, and be successful, in your profession in Canada. All Humber OSLT
graduates earn a certificate.
Career Pathways > Engineering
Chapter Three
Understanding Canadian
Workplaces
Canadian employers,
who often do not know
how to assess education
and work experience from
other countries, may
require or prefer you to
Volunteering
Volunteering is an important part of Canadian society
and lifestyle. It helps you settle in faster, make friends,
practice skills and even it might lead you in some
cases to a job at the organization where you are
volunteering or somewhere else. You can find
hundreds of volunteering opportunities in community
organizations and other non-profits in your area by
contacting your local volunteer centre. You can also
ask your relatives, friends or colleagues for volunteer
opportunities that suit your skills and interests. You
should consider volunteering in your community as it
is an important tool that can help you integrate faster
into society and workforce. Even one afternoon of
volunteering a week would be helpful.
challenges. When an
Internship
Another effective way to acquire Canadian
experience is through internships. Career
Bridge is an innovative internship program
that allows you to apply for paid internships
at Canadas leading private, public or nonprofit sector employers. The program
regularly posts internship opportunities and
offers paid internships of four, six, nine or
twelve months for recent immigrants:
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Mentoring
Job Shadowing
Not exactly a mentorship or a volunteer opportunity, job shadowing is an interesting way to
obtain inside information on your industry in Canada, learn how the Canadian workplace
operates and possibly gain some good networking contacts. This can last anywhere from
an hour to an entire day. Toward the end of an information interview, ask if its possible to job
shadow the person, of course only if you feel that the interview has gone well. Job
shadowing is a great way to find out what an hour or a day on your job is like in Canada. It
might be difficult to find job shadowing opportunities in large engineering firms, so try
searching for such opportunities in small to medium engineering companies.
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Chapter Four
Attend engineering
related career/job fairs and
info sessions.
Seek out a mentor in the
engineering sector for
example, a retired
engineer who would
provide valuable insight
and advice and probably
introduce you to their
professional network.
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Resume Writing
Settlement Agencies
Success Story:
Interview Techniques
Engineers work in dozens of fields, including
aeronautics, biomedicine, manufacturing, chemicals,
computers, nuclear power and agriculture. How you
prepare for an engineering job interview will depend
in part on what type of position you are pursuing.
One way you can separate yourself from the pack is
by creating a work portfolio. It expresses what you
may not be able to put into words. In addition to
taking it to the interview, send your portfolio or a link
to your online portfolio to the interviewer ahead of
time. This way, they can review the portfolio and you
can discuss it during the interview.
Some meetings are mere screening or information
interviews where they employer tries to learn more
about you. A third type is the audition interview, in
which you are asked to perform tasks that would be
required of you on the job.
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Information
Interviews
An information interview is
a brief (2030-minute)
meeting that you schedule
with a person who is
currently working in your
target field and geographic
location to learn more
about that particular
sector.
You should not try to get a
job during an information
interview but rather find
out whether or not a
particular position or
industry might be a good
fit for your interests and
your personality. An
informational interview
with a contact from your
network can be an
excellent source of career
information because, in
addition to basic
information about a
particular type of industry
(such as you might find on
an organizations website),
it also offers you the
benefit of a professionals
first-hand experiences and
impressions.
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Networking
Networking is an essential tool that can provide job leads, offer advice and information
about a particular company or industry that can strengthen your resume, cover letter, and
interview skills. It can also introduce you to others so that you can expand your network. As
many job vacancies are not advertised, you must make connections with working
professional engineers and others within your field.
Good places to network are gatherings such as conferences, seminars, association
luncheons, and chamber mixers for their convenience in meeting people, building
relationships, and sharing information.
LinkedIn is another important professional networking tool. It is great for reconnecting with
your ex-colleagues and employers, search by company or jobs, and get introductions and
recommendations.
You can also mingle with people in the engineering sector and join some related
professional groups.
Note that its not appropriate to ask a networking contact for a job, but if they know of any
job leads, they may share them.
Remember, that you have to allow time to cultivate and grow the ties you establish through
networking. Nothing will happen overnight and therefore, you need to be patient.
LinkedIn is another important professional networking tool. It is great for reconnecting with
your ex-colleagues and employers, search by company or jobs, and get introductions and
recommendations.
You can also mingle with people in the engineering sector and join some related
professional groups.
Note that its not appropriate to ask a networking contact for a job, but if they know of any
job leads, they may share them.
Remember, that you have to allow time to cultivate and grow the ties you establish through
networking. Nothing will happen overnight and therefore, you need to be patient.
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Chapter Five
Associations
The engineering associations in Canada listed below provide
additional information about licensure and certification and offer a
variety of professional development, education and networking
opportunities.
Provincial Regulators
Each Canadian province and territory has
its own regulatory body to license
engineers who meet the professions high
standards, and to govern the profession
of engineering. The associations listed
below provide additional information
about licensure and certification and offer
a variety of professional training,
education and networking opportunities.
Engineering Societies
Although they are not involved in the
licensing of engineers in Canada,
engineering societies play a key role
in helping engineers learn about new
theories, advanced techniques and
modern equipment through their
conference, seminars or
publications.
Association of Consulting Engineers
of Canada (ACEC)
Canadian Academy of Engineering
(CAE)
Canadian Dam Association
Canadian Federation of Engineering
Students (CFES)
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Video
Professional
Immigrant
Networks
Immigrant Networks
Professional immigrant networks are organized, volunteer-run member-based associations
or networks created by and for immigrant professionals that seek to:create a forum to
contribute to and enrich their respective communities provide opportunities for members to
find meaningful employment and achieve their professional goals
These networks organize networking events, mentoring, information sessions, and also
provide professional development opportunities such as workshops, training and connections
to employment opportunities.
British Columbia:
Society of Internationally Trained Engineers of British Columbia
Society of Punjabi Engineers And Technologists of British Columbia
Nova Scotia:
IETP-NS: Association of Internationally Educated and Trained Professionals of Nova Scotia
Ontario:
Association of Bulgarian Engineers in Canada
Association of Romanian Engineers in Canada (AREC)
Canadian Network of Iraqi Engineers and Architects
Career Pathways > Engineering
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Chapter Six
Employment
Finding a job in Canada may be different from your native country
and you may need help finding job vacancies, updating your
resume, writing cover letters, preparing for interviews, and
understanding what Canadian employers are looking for.
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is Canadas
reference on occupations. It provides job descriptions,
occupational statistics and labour market information.
Civil engineers
Mechanical engineers
Electrical and electronics engineers
Chemical engineers
Industrial and manufacturing engineers
Metallurgical and materials engineers
Mining engineers
Geological engineers
Petroleum engineers
Aerospace engineers
Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
Other professional engineers, n.e.c.
Credentials Recognition
One of the first things you need to do is to find out the requirements to work as an
engineer in Canada. Therefore, after you get your immigration visa, contact the
regulatory body in the province or territory where you intend to settle in Canada. They
will advise you about the required documentation and the fees for assessment. It is
highly recommended that you complete this step before you arrive in Canada.
You may be asked to submit some or all of the following:
Original diplomas, degrees or full transcripts recording your course and marks, and
the official program syllabuses or course descriptions.
Full address of the educational and professional institutions where you obtained your
engineering qualifications.
Employment and character references.
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