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How to move to Canada as an Engineer in 2024?

Canada presents a promising opportunity for engineers looking for new challenges and opportunities. Whether you are just starting out or have plenty of experience, Canada’s varied engineering fields, including infrastructure, technology, environmental sustainability, and manufacturing, offer numerous career paths. This guide provides a detailed overview to help you understand everything from the immigration ways to securing a job in Canada.

Reasons to Move to Canada as an Engineer

1. Shortage of Skilled Engineers

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  • Retirement of Senior Engineers

Many senior engineers are retiring, leaving a gap in the workforce that needs skilled individuals to fill these roles and continue project leadership and mentorship.

  • Industry Expansion

Canadian industries are expanding due to technological advances and economic growth, increasing the demand for specialized engineers in fields like civil, mechanical, electrical, and software engineering.

  • Opportunities for Internationally Trained Engineers

Between 2020 and 2025, Canada needs to fill over 44,000 engineering jobs across 14 different fields, offering a significant opportunity for internationally trained engineers seeking to move and establish their careers in Canada.

2. High Demand Across Provinces

Canada’s engineering sector is experiencing a surge in demand, influenced by advancements in technology, infrastructure projects, and industrial growth. This section explores the provinces where engineers are highly sought after and the specializations that are particularly in-demand.

Ontario

Ontario, the most populous province in Canada, boasts a dynamic economy with strong sectors in manufacturing, technology, and infrastructure. The province’s focus on building smart cities and renewable energy projects has increased the demand for engineers.

  • Civil Engineers: Needed for urban infrastructure projects and transportation networks.
  • Electrical Engineers: Crucial for the growing renewable energy sector.
  • Software Engineers: In high demand due to the province’s booming tech industry, particularly in cities like Toronto and Ottawa.

British Columbia (BC)

BC’s economy thrives on technology, environmental engineering, and construction, especially with projects like the Site C dam and various transit expansions.

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  • Civil Engineers: Essential for ongoing infrastructure projects and housing developments.
  • Mechanical Engineers: Key players in manufacturing and also in BC’s budding clean technology sector.
  • Software Engineers: With Vancouver being a tech hub, there is a significant need for software development professionals.

Quebec

Known for its aerospace, information technology, and biotechnology industries, Quebec requires engineers to sustain its innovative projects and manufacturing operations.

  • Aerospace Engineers: Critical to Quebec’s large aerospace sector, centered in Montreal.
  • Electrical Engineers: Needed for Quebec’s initiatives in power generation and distribution.
  • Software Engineers: In demand due to the province’s strong gaming and IT sectors.

Alberta

Alberta is traditionally known for its energy sector, but recent diversification efforts have led to growth in engineering jobs across various fields.

  • Petroleum Engineers: Although the traditional energy sector has seen fluctuations, engineers are still needed for efficient resource extraction and environmental management.
  • Mechanical Engineers: Important for both the traditional energy sector and emerging sectors like renewable energy.
  • Civil Engineers: Needed for infrastructure development and maintenance, especially in urban areas.

Manitoba

Manitoba’s economy includes manufacturing, agriculture, and energy, with an increasing focus on infrastructure upgrades and energy efficiency projects.

  • Electrical Engineers: Key for the province’s energy sector, particularly in renewable energy projects.
  • Civil Engineers: Crucial for public infrastructure projects and flood management systems.
  • Mechanical Engineers: Needed in manufacturing sectors, particularly in machinery and transportation equipment.

3. Competitive Salaries

Engineers in Canada enjoy competitive salaries, with the average salary for civil engineers around $75,000 per year, and potential earnings up to $150,000 annually depending on experience and specialization.

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Immigration Programs for Internationally Qualified Engineers

  • Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program

This Express Entry stream allows skilled workers to apply for permanent residence based on a Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS), which considers factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.

  • Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

Most provinces, except Quebec and Nunavut, offer PNPs that allow them to nominate candidates based on local labor market needs.

  • Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The AIP enables skilled workers to settle in Canada’s Atlantic provinces with a simpler application process, provided they have job offers and meet the basic eligibility criteria.

Licensing Process for Foreign-Trained Engineers in Canada

Engineering is a regulated profession in Canada, requiring a license to practice independently. Here’s an overview of the steps to get licensed:

  • Academic and Work Experience Assessment

You must have your academic credentials and work experience assessed by the respective provincial or territorial regulator.

  • Provisional Licensing

If you meet all conditions except Canadian work experience, you may be eligible for a provisional license.

  • Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Program

New graduates or those lacking sufficient work experience can enroll as EITs to gain the required experience under supervised conditions.

  • Professional Practice Examination (PPE)

Passing the PPE is essential to obtain a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) license, demonstrating your knowledge of local engineering laws and ethical standards.

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In-Demand Engineering Jobs in Canada

British Columbia (B.C.)

  • Civil, Electrical, Electronic, and Mechanical Engineers: NOC 21300, 21310, 21301
  • Information Systems Analysts and Consultants: NOC 21211, 21220, 21221, 21222, 21233
  • Software Engineers and Designers: NOC 21211, 21231

Alberta

  • Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians: NOC 22301
  • Engineering Inspectors and Regulatory Officers: NOC 22231
  • Information Systems Analysts and Consultants, Software Engineers: NOC 21211, 21220, 21221, 21222, 21233, 21231

Ontario

  • Engineering Managers, Computer and Information Systems Managers: NOC 20010, 20012
  • Computer Engineers: NOC 21311
  • Database Analysts, Software Engineers and Designers: NOC 21223, 21211, 21231

Quebec

  • Wide Range of Engineering Fields (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, etc.): NOC 21300, 21301, 21310, 21320, 21321, 21322, 21330, 21331, 21332, 21390, 21311
  • IT Systems Managers: NOC 20012
  • Computer Analysts and Consultants, Database Analysts, Software Engineers and Designers: NOC 21211, 21220, 21221, 21222, 21233, 21223, 21231

Manitoba

  • Engineering Managers: NOC 20010
  • Various Engineering Fields (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, etc.): NOC 21300, 21301, 21310, 21321, 21211, 21231, 21311
  • Information Systems and Database Analysts: NOC 21211, 21220, 21221, 21222, 21233, 21223
  • Engineering Technologists and Technicians: NOC 22300, 22301, 22302, 22310

Nova Scotia

  • Civil Engineers: NOC 21300

New Brunswick

  • Civil and Aerospace Engineers: NOC 21300, 21390

Saskatchewan

  • Information System Analysts and Consultants: NOC 21211, 21220, 21221, 21222, 21233
  • Database Analysts and Data Administrators: NOC 21223

Newfoundland and Labrador

  • Electrical, Mechanical, Infrastructure, and Biomedical Engineers: NOC 21310, 21301, 21399
  • Software Engineers and Designers (including specialists in UI/UX, AI, Python, Web, .NET): NOC 21211, 21231
  • Data Analysts: NOC 21223

Salaries for Engineers in Canada

Salaries vary by province and specialization, with engineers typically earning from $41.20 to $52.88 per hour depending on their field and experience.

Finding Engineering Jobs in Canada

1. Resume and Job Platforms

Adapt your resume to Canadian standards and utilize job platforms like Job Bank, LinkedIn, and Indeed to find opportunities.

2. Networking

Build a professional network through LinkedIn, professional associations, and industry events to uncover hidden job opportunities and gain insights into the Canadian job market.

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Recruitment Process for Engineers in Canada

The recruitment process for engineers in Canada is detailed and thorough, ensuring that candidates not only meet the technical requirements of the job but also fit well within the company culture. 

  1. Resume Screening

Employers review resumes and cover letters to select candidates whose qualifications, experience, and skills match the job requirements.

  1. Initial Interview

Selected candidates go through a first round of interviews, often over the phone or via video call, to assess their suitability and discuss their resume details.

  1. Technical Assessments

Candidates may be required to complete technical assessments or tasks relevant to the engineering field they are applying for. This could include problem-solving exercises, coding tests (for software engineers), or practical tasks to demonstrate specific skills.

  1. In-Person or Second-Round Interviews

Following successful technical assessments, candidates are invited for more in-depth interviews. These can be one-on-one or with a panel and are usually held in-person, focusing on more detailed aspects of the candidates’ skills and experience.

  1. Culture Fit Interview

This stage assesses how well a candidate’s values and behavior align with the company’s culture. It may involve discussions about work ethics, teamwork, communication styles, and adaptability.

  1. Background and Reference Checks

Before making a final hiring decision, employers will conduct background checks to verify educational credentials, work history, and sometimes even character references.

  1. Job Offer

Successful candidates will receive a job offer, which can be accepted outright or negotiated depending on the terms of employment and the candidate’s expectations.

In conclusion, moving to Canada as an engineer is a great opportunity because there are many jobs available across the country. If you understand the steps for immigration and licensing, and prepare well for job interviews, you can successfully build a rewarding engineering career in Canada.