Kepreye Otrofanowei; Employment Consultant with Build ON
For the vast majority of skilled immigrants arriving in Canada, finding employment in a field that is in line with your prior skills and education is a priority. While it is encouraged to pursue career options in line with your prior experience it can oftentimes be challenging. This challenge is multiplied when your prior experience is in a field that is regulated in Canada which is the case for international engineering graduates.
In order to become an engineer in Canada you have to satisfy the requirements set out by the regulatory body of your province/territory. For more information on the licensure process for Ontario, visit the Build ON website. The process of licensure can be time-consuming and you may find that you need a back-up plan to sustain you in the interim. This is where “alternative careers” come in to play. Alternative careers provide an option for immigrants to use their prior experience and skills to gain meaningful experience.
Alternative careers can either serve as a transition to a new career path or it can serve as a backup plan while pursuing your long-term goals. For international engineering graduates, it is easy to be discouraged by the process of getting a license; however, this does not have to mean the end of an engineering career as engineering teams in Canada are multifaceted. An engineering team in Canada can consist of engineers, technologists, technicians and skilled tradespeople, who typically work and interact on a regular basis. Therefore, there is a broad spectrum of careers within and outside of the engineering industry that do not require an engineering license but can utilize your experiences as an international engineering graduate.
It is important that you identify your existing skills and your “transferable” skills in order to find a pathway that could lead you to more immediate employment without having to go through extensive training. For example, if you have international experience in engineering you may not only find work in your own sector as technologist/technician but you may also consider employment opportunities in other sectors like finance, education, supply chain management, construction, real estate, and the skilled trades.
For information about alternative careers for engineers register with Build ON and for a list of engineering and technology disciplines in which you may find work visit Engineering Canada. It is important to note that skills and experience gained from one engineering discipline may often be transferable to other disciplines/occupations. Specifically, if you enjoy working with your hands, have a mechanical aptitude, enjoy being creative or are adept with working with power tools, the skilled trades may be a viable option for you.
In conclusion, it is profitable to consider an alternative career because it is a great opportunity to keep your skills current, build your network and gain Canadian experience. Alternative careers are also a great stepping stone to prepare you for work in your desired occupation. Explore Global Experience Ontario, Professional Engineers Ontario, Engineers Canada, and register with Build ON for more information on alternative career options for international engineering graduates.