The employment of engineers in Canada has never stopped. Canada’s booming industry is yet to cease hiring skilled workers in the discipline of engineering, a good news for Filipinos who are major migrating workers in Canada.
How In-Demand are Engineers in Canada?
According to recent reports, there is currently shortage of engineers in Canada, and it is forecasted that by 2020, there will be approximately 95, 000 Canadian engineers set to retire. As of 2011, Canada has only produced 12, 000 engineers – a figure far lower than any other states.
What Do You Need to Work as Engineer in Canada?
It should be mentioned that no one is allowed to practice in the country if he or she has not received proper licensing to practice as engineer in the chosen territory. Engineering is a regulated profession in Canada thus, practicing without proper licensing and training would indicate illegal practice of the profession. Nevertheless, a person without a license can still exercise his duties provided that he is under the supervision of a licensed engineer.
Do You Need to be a Citizen in Canada to Work as Engineer?
To work as engineer in Canada, one does not need to be a citizen of the country. Depending on the territory, one has to apply for license. A person can either apply as engineer-in-training or professional engineer. The difference between the two is that the former indicates that the certification is still in the process of obtaining all the academic pre-requisites required, while the latter denotes that all requirements have been obtained and completed, and the candidate can use the title P. Eng following his name.
How Long Should You Wait?
Application process for the engineering degree in Canada may take a long time, usually a minimum of one year. The requirements for the application and the needed documents may vary according to the province or territory of concern. Nevertheless, applicants should satisfy the requirements namely the academic aspect, work experiences, reference assessment, language competency, character and formal examination.
- Academic assessment. All candidates for engineers in Canada should obtain a minimum of 4-year undergraduate course.
- Examinations. Depending on the territory, complementary study examination and discipline-specific examination may be required.
- Work experience. To be considered as an engineer in Canada, one has to obtain a minimum of 4 years related work experience. This is in addition to at least 1 year of supervised work by a professional engineer in Canada. It is worth mentioning though that the candidate can still carry on the application while still obtaining the 1 year Canadian experience.
- Language competency test. The candidate should be able to exhibit ability to communicate in English or in French.
- Character reference. Character references should come from immediate superiors; for example, professional engineers.
- Professional examination. Candidates should pass the professional examination conducted by the licensing body.
