It is important to note that the recognition process varies from one province to another.
Prepare for Employment in Canada
- Regulated or non-regulated?
- Resources
- Language assessment
- Documents to bring with you
- Translation
- Learn more
Your professional certificates and diplomas from your home country will be evaluated before you are allowed to have a Canadian visa. But passing this evaluation does not necessarily make you ready for work in Ontario. You will need to know if these documents are recognized in Ontario. Do they allow you to find a job in your field in Ontario? It is important to note that the recognition process varies from one province to another.
You should start finding answers to these questions and to study the Canadian job market to prepare for work in Ontario.
Regulated or non-regulated?
There are two types of jobs in Ontario: regulated and non-regulated.
Generally two main types of occupations are regulated in Ontario:
- Regulated occupations such as physicians, nurses, lawyers
- Skilled trades such as plumbers and electricians
Regulated professions or trades
Credential assessment and recognition is usually completed by a regulatory body, i.e. College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. The regulatory body has authority to:
- Set entry requirements and standards of practice to assess applicants' qualifications and credentials
- Certify, register, or licence qualified applicants
- Regulate those operating in that occupation
Requirements for entry usually consist of technical examinations, a specified period of supervised work experience and language competency. If you want to work in a regulated occupation, YOU MUST BE LICENSED.
Non-regulated professions or trades
Some professions and trades have no legal requirements regarding who is allowed to practice. These professions and trades are unregulated, i.e. sales and marketing, information and technology.
Is your occupation regulated or non-regulated?
The first thing to do is to find out if your occupation is regulated or non-regulated.
Enter the name of your occupation in the box. Please note that the title of your occupation in your country may not match the titles shown.
Assess yourself by looking at the duties of possible occupations and ask yourself, is this what you did in your home country? Once you find a match, enter that occupation.
This tool will help you identify if your occupation is regulated or non-regulated and provides you with a detailed labour market information report (containing job duties, skill requirements, wage rates, etc.) for a chosen location in Canada, i.e. Ontario further broken down by municipality, i.e. Mississauga, Brampton, and Peel Region.
Credential evaluations for regulated occupations
If your occupation is a regulated profession, visit the Work in your Profession section of ontarioimmigration.ca website. This site will link you to information and resources on how to get licenced, get help and find work in your profession in Ontario.
If your occupation is a regulated trade, visit A Guide for Internationally Trained Trades people for advice to help internationally trained trades people continue their careers in Ontario.
Credential evaluations for non-regulated occupations
The vast majority of occupations in Canada are non-regulated. There is no legal requirement for getting a licence in a non-regulated occupation. You may be expected to demonstrate certain skills and competencies, to have gained a particular level of qualification and to have the communication skills suitable for the job. It is the employers who determine the specific requirements for employment in their company.
Even though you do not need to get a licence to work in a non-regulated job, a credential assessment may help potential employers understand your qualifications better.
- See Credential Evaluations for a list of organizations that perform evaluations of foreign educational qualifications.
Resources:
The Foreign Credentials Referral Office
The Foreign Credentials Referral Office offers internationally trained and educated individuals authoritative and accurate information on the Canadian labour market and Canada’s credential assessment processes. It also provides path-finding and referral services to immigrants. These services are offered overseas and in Canada to help immigrants apply their skills and credentials in the Canadian labour market.
- For more information, visit www.credentials.gc.ca
The Canadian Immigration Integration Project (CIIP)
The Canadian government has set up a new initiative - the Canadian Immigration Integration Project - to help potential immigrants receive better information about the Canadian job market. The CIIP also works to help immigrants obtain evaluation of their credentials (diplomas, certificates and degrees). Anyone who applies for immigration to Canada can now receive this kind of employment assistance from Canadian officials before they leave their home country.
Please note that at present there are CIIP offices only in China, India and the Philippines. However, offices may be set up in other countries in the future.
For more information contact the Canadian Immigration Integration Project Field Office in your country of origin.
Language assessment
The ability to communicate effectively in English is very important and will assist greatly in your ability to find a job in Peel Region.
Having your language skills assessed before you move to Canada is important. A completed language assessment will determine how much, if any, language training you need.
Where to have your language skills assessed?
Before you immigrate, give yourself enough time to have your language skills assessed and to take language training in your home country. There are several international assessment services that you can contact from your home country.
The International English Lanugage Testing System (IELTS) is offered throughout the world. It is most widely recognized. IELTS measures your ability to communicate in English across all four language skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking. These tests evaluate your English ability level if you do not speak English as your first language.
The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) exam is offered in some parts of the world as well as in Canada.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is recognized worldwide and also tests your ability in reading, listening, speaking and writing. It should be available in your country of origin. It provides information about your ability to communicate and participate in an academic setting.
Each educational institution or licensing/certification agency requires applicants to achieve a minimum score on the test taken. The minimum score varies. It is advisable to contact the regulatory body for your profession/trade, or a recognized credential evaluation service organization prior to your departure to find out the language requirements for your individual situation.
Documents to bring with you:
- Education and work experience documents
- Original documents that describe your education and work experience are important to finding a job in Canada
Education
Bring original records from your secondary school, college, or university. These include degrees, diplomas and certificates. Program descriptions, transcripts, or detailed course information can also be useful.
It is advisable to contact the regulatory body for your profession, or a recognized Credential Evaluation Service Organization prior to your departure to find out the credential evaluation process.
Work experience
Bring documents that explain your past work experience, such as job descriptions, employment records, performance evaluations, letters from employers and work supervisors, resumes, and descriptions of training that you have completed. If you are working a multi-national company, it is advisable to get a referral letter to the company in Canada.
Translation
Most of the documents you bring will have to be submitted in English or French.