STEP TAKEN FOR ENGINEERS

Ontario Takes Bold Step to Remove Canadian Work Experience Requirement for Engineers, Promoting Inclusion and Facilitating Career Paths for Internationally Trained Professionals.

In a significant development, the Ontario Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Monte McNaughton, announced the removal of the Canadian work experience requirement for engineers in the province. This change, initiated by Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), aims to assist qualified professionals in pursuing their intended careers without hindrance.

By eliminating the mandatory Canadian work experience criteria, Ontario seeks to address the issue of internationally trained engineers being employed in unrelated low-wage jobs, thereby underutilizing their skills. The previous PEO requirements demanded 48 months of verifiable engineering experience, with at least 12 months obtained within Canada under the guidance of a licensed professional engineer.

This decision aligns with the Working for Workers Act, 2021, which mandates non-discriminatory competency assessments for regulated professions to enable newcomers to continue their professions in Ontario. With approximately 300,000 unfilled jobs across the province, including numerous opportunities in engineering, the removal of the work experience requirement is expected to foster economic growth and prevent potential loss of productivity amounting to billions of dollars.

PEO President Roydon Fraser highlighted that around 60% of annual license applications come from internationally trained engineers. The elimination of the Canadian work experience prerequisite will expedite the licensing process for qualified international engineers.

As of 2019, Ontario had 85,649 licensed engineers, with a notable proportion comprising internationally trained individuals (24,258 registered professionals). Despite removing the work experience requirement, PEO will maintain stringent qualifications for licensing and continue to evaluate candidates through a competency-based assessment model and other evaluation methods.

The existing system often necessitated newcomers to acquire Canadian work experience in unrelated fields, despite possessing the necessary skills and technical abilities for passing licensing exams. This change aims to rectify the situation, allowing qualified professionals to pursue their careers in engineering without being restricted by arbitrary work experience prerequisites.

Ontario acknowledges that addressing labor shortages is crucial, particularly in regulated sectors, and endeavors to ease accreditation barriers for newcomers. Initiatives include legislation enabling nurses from other Canadian jurisdictions to work in the province without registering with health regulatory colleges and facilitating temporary registration for internationally educated nurses. Such measures align with the College of Nurses Ontario’s data, indicating that a substantial portion of newly registered nurses (5,124 out of 12,385) trained outside the country.

Additionally, the College has revised its language proficiency policy and collaborated with colleges and universities to assist applicants in meeting educational requirements. Ontario remains committed to promoting inclusivity and maximizing the potential of internationally trained professionals in regulated fields.

Conclusion: A New Era for Engineers in Ontario, Liberated from Work Experience Restrictions

In conclusion, the removal of the Canadian work experience requirement for engineers in Ontario marks a significant milestone in fostering inclusivity and maximizing the potential of internationally trained professionals. This progressive step eliminates unnecessary barriers and opens doors for qualified engineers to pursue their careers with greater ease and efficiency. By recognizing the value of diverse expertise and streamlining the licensing process, Ontario aims to address labor shortages, boost productivity, and create a more vibrant and thriving workforce. This transformation heralds a new era where engineers can contribute their skills and knowledge to the province’s development, driving innovation and economic growth.

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