Navigating training and licensing programs as a newcomer to Canada

Credit to Author: Wanda Kusumajuda| Date: Tue, 06 Jun 2023 03:08:53 +0000

Congratulations on successfully immigrating to Canada! As you settle in, you will see that re-establishing your career here can be somewhat of a process. But not to worry, I have seen countless newcomers who have put in the time and effort now thriving in their careers. With hard work and determination, you can do the same!

When rebuilding your career in Canada, it is important to understand that certain positions that are unregulated (i.e. not controlled by provincial, territorial, or federal law), such as business development, sales, hospitality/tourism, have comparable responsibilities to those in other countries. This means you may be able to find a suitable job within a short period without much need to re-train. That said, it is still important to familiarize yourself with Canadian workplace culture, laws, and regulations before applying for a job. In addition, some positions that are unregulated might still require a substantial amount of additional training.

If you’re an internationally educated/trained professional looking for work in a regulated occupation (controlled by provincial or territorial and sometimes federal law ) in Canada i.e., working in fields including healthcare, engineering, accounting, law or trades, you will need to get licensed and often invest in further education or bridging programs.

In Canada, regulatory bodies at the provincial level play an important role in making sure that professionals meet the required standards and qualifications in their respective fields. They oversee compliance with professional conduct codes and help with certification, licensure and registration processes. This ensures that professionals in different fields are competent and qualified to practice in their provinces.

To determine if you need to undergo additional training, relicensing or invest in further education for your profession in Canada, follow these three steps:

1. Research your occupation

Spend some time to gain a better understanding of your profession, field, occupation, and job duties in Canada. Conduct online research to find statistics, surveys and interviews with people in the profession.  You can also gather data from sources like news articles, textbooks, and websites. If possible, consider talking directly to local professionals to verify your research and obtain a deeper understanding of the field.

Building a clear profile of your occupation in the province you reside in is crucial for your smooth integration and career success. You might discover that your profession is a bit more regulated (or less) in Canada than in other countries.

2. Conduct a gap analysis

With a fuller picture of the requirements of your profession, you can now conduct a gap analysis to compare where you are now and what gaps in licensing and training you may have to bridge to work in this profession in your province.

If you are in a regulated profession, then you may not be able to do this gap analysis on your own. Often, you will need to pay for an official report, i.e., a comprehensive assessment of your credentials, i.e., your education. Please note that you should always consult your profession’s regulatory body before you pay for such a report/assessment. Certain regulatory bodies only accept reports from specific organizations. Some other regulatory bodies perform their own internal assessment of your education and qualifications. It is important to know this beforehand. You will need these specific reports when you apply for your license.

3. Develop a plan of action

To plan your return to your field in Canada, make a clear list of steps. If it takes more than six months, use a project planning tool such as a Gantt chart in Excel to stay on track.

However, this process is not one that need to do alone. There are settlement agencies and employment service centres with special programs funded by the Canadian or provincial government that can help guide you through this process. There are also loan programs and other types of financial support options that are available for newcomers that can help navigate the costs involved with re-training and/or relicensing.

Taking a proactive approach will truly support your successful transition into your profession in Canada.

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