Engineer

Working in Ontario

Only those who are granted the “professional engineer” licence have the right to practise professional engineering in Ontario. In Ontario, you can only get your licence from the occupational regulatory body for engineers, The Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO).

Not all engineering graduates in Ontario are professional engineers. A professional engineer must satisfy the requirements set by PEO to earn a licence. However, you can work in engineering without a licence, if a professional engineer supervises and takes responsibility for your work.

The career opportunities for professional engineers in Ontario vary according to your area of practice and the industries in which you wish to work. Ontario is a very competitive job market and jobs are not easy to find, especially in the Greater Toronto Area.

It is important to prepare for your job search early — even before you immigrate — by becoming familiar with job-search techniques, conducting research on the industries and companies in which you are interested, and improving and documenting your skills and knowledge.

Tools and Information

The Ontario Government has partnered with Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), to create a career map for internationally trained engineers. The career map explains in detail every step of the registration process, including language requirements, industry trends, labour market conditions, the credential assessment process, licensing fees and other important information.

The Professional Engineers of Ontario have a program where they offer free licensing-assessment for internationally trained engineers. The program, introduced last year, waived the licensing fee and the fee for an intern training program if an internationally trained engineer registered within six months of arriving. For more information, contact the PEO (contact information listed below).

Engineering Internship Training (EIT) Program

If you have been assigned a confirmatory examination program, you are eligible to be registered in PEO's Engineering Internship Training (EIT) Program. The EIT Program is designed for applicants who are employed in an engineering capacity. It is not a job search or placement program.

PEO’s EIT Program:

• helps you to understand the licensing requirements, particularly the experience required to qualify for a P.Eng. licence;
• offers you the opportunity to obtain detailed, confidential work experience reviews from the EIT Program Manager. At your request, PEO will review your experience upon changing jobs, upon completion of any temporary work assignment, and after obtaining your first six months of engineering experience in Canada;
• helps you demonstrate to employers your commitment to becoming a licensed professional engineer; and
• encourages you to become involved in the profession and to participate in PEO’s chapter activities, insurance and investment plans.

PEO’s EIT program provides:

• access to the password-protected sections of the PEO website (www.peo.on.ca) for questions and answers of concern to PEO’s engineering interns;
• subscription to EngineerMENTOR, PEO’s on-line newsletter for engineering interns (available by mail on request);
• on-line discussions with other engineering interns and with professional engineers;
• advice on reporting work experience;
• examples of legal and ethical issues; and
• specialized EIT assistance.

The annual fee for the EIT program is $53.50. You must notify your PEO Admission Representative or the Manager, Pre-Licensing Programs (eit@peo.on.ca) if you wish to be recorded in the EIT Program.

Getting Help

Bridge training programs: If you are qualified in your profession but new to Ontario, you may benefit from a bridge training program. Bridge training programs help qualified immigrants move more quickly into their professions without duplicating what they have already learned.

Accessible Community Counselling and Employment Services

Engineering Connections

This program helps internationally trained engineers learn about the engineering labour market and the licensure process in Ontario. Participants study effective job search strategies, workplace communication and employer expectations. In addition, the program provides workshops on project management, software for engineers and Canadian Engineering Codes.

E-mail: info@accesemployment.ca
Location: Toronto

Algonquin College

Settlement to Employment Program (STEP)

STEP is a unique partnership between Algonquin College and the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO), the National Capital Region’s YMCA-YWCA, LASI World Skills, and Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

This program is for internationally trained individuals in the engineering, financial services, accounting and information technology fields as well as in the trades. It provides language assessment, job counselling, educational pathways and occupation-specific language training. Participants can also access mentorship and work placement opportunities.

Algonquin College
Website: www.algonquincollege.com/STEP/index.htm
Telephone: (613) 727-4723 ext. 7381
Location: Ottawa

Chinese Professionals Association of Canada

Mentoring for Professional Engineering Licensure

This program helps internationally trained engineers obtain licensure with Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO). Participants receive information on the PEO application process, language skills assessment, language training for the engineering profession and training in job search strategies.

Participants are also matched with an established professional engineer mentor. Mentoring sessions allow participants to identify problems, develop goals and plans and work toward successful entry into the profession.

Website: www.chineseprofessionals.ca/index.php
Telephone: (416) 298-7885
Email: office@chineseprtofessionals.ca
Location: Toronto

Engineering Connections: Project Management

Accessible Community Counselling and Employment Services (ACCES)

This program helps internationally trained engineers who are seeking employment in the program management field. The program includes academic training on the Fundamentals of Project management with an overview of the Canadian project management environment, project management essentials and Microsoft Project software. Participants will also have access to post-employment/workplace supports that will address employment specific needs related to language development.

E-mail: info@accesemployment.ca
Location: Toronto

Engineering Connections: Software Skills Enhancement Project

Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

This program assists internationally trained civil and electrical engineers prepare for employment in their professions with a part-time program over two semesters. Training is provided in sector-specific skills such as AutoCAD, Solidworks, PLCs, MS-Project, Engineering Codes & Standards and Workplace Safety. Participants can also access assessment and advising services, mentorship opportunities, job development and job search supports.

Website: www.appliedtechnology.humber.ca/ite
E-mail: ite@humber.ca
Telephone: (416) 675-6622 ext. 4162
Location: Toronto

Ontario Society of Professional Engineers

Examination Skills Preparation for Internationally Trained Engineers

This program prepares internationally trained engineers seeking licensure in Ontario to write the Professional Practice Examination. Participants learn about the role and context of exam writing in Canada, as well as the legal and ethical practices in the workplace. Participants will also be prepared with the technical information needed to pass the exam.

Website: www.ospe.on.ca/
Phone: (416) 223-9961
Director of Policy and Government Relations
Location: Toronto

Professional Access and Integration Enhancement (PAIE III) Program:
Environmental Engineers and Geoscientists for a Green Economy

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

The program helps internationally trained environmental engineers and geoscientists get licensed and employed in their field. Participants are provided with technical training, as well as occupation-specific language and Workplace Communication and Culture training. Employment counselling and individual support is also provided.

Participants also complete a 12-month paid work placement with environmental industry employers and take the Professional Practice Exams to fulfill the requirements to become licensed as Professional Engineers and Professional Geoscientists with Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) and the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (APGO) respectively.

Website: trca.on.ca/get-involved/volunteer/professional-access-and-integration-enhancement.dot
Telephone: (416) 661-6600 ext. 5584
E-mail: npereira@trca.on.ca
Location: Toronto

Ryerson University

Internationally Educated Engineers Qualification Bridging Program

This program helps internationally trained engineers complete the academic requirements for professional engineering licensing in Ontario. Program participants review and update technical knowledge, learn the English technical terminology, learn about Canadian economic principles, engineering law and ethics and take courses from accredited engineering undergraduate programs.

Participants also have access to a four-month co-op work term. This co-op placement provides engineering employment experience and also helps participants develop contacts and apply the knowledge gained in their university courses.

Website: www.feas.ryerson.ca/styles/1/ieeqb_program/index.html
Telephone: (416) 979-5000 ext. 4263 or ext. 4902
E-mail: ieeqb@ryerson.ca
Location: Toronto

Settlement and Integration Services Organization

Engineering Bridges

This program helps internationally trained engineers get licensed and employed in their field. Participants receive training in occupation-specific language, workplace culture and communications, technical skills and exam preparation. The program also provides access to internships and offers employment services.

Website: www.siso-ham.org/
Telephone: (905) 667-7478 or (905) 667-7479
E-mail: employment@sisohamilton.org
Location: Hamilton

Skills for Change

Engineering Your Future

This program helps internationally trained engineers and engineering technologists/technicians obtain employment in their field. Participants receive training in computer skills and occupation-specific language. They also receive help in navigating the licensure process, mentorship and work experience opportunities and employment services.

Website: www.skillsforchange.org/eyf
Telephone: (416) 658-3101 ext. 213 or ext.294
E-mail: www.skillsforchange.org/eyf/contact-us
Location: Toronto

Regulatory Body

Professional Engineers Ontario
25 Sheppard Ave. West, Suite 1000
Toronto, ON M2N 6S9
Telephone: (416) 224-1100
Toll Free: 1-800-339-3716 (only in Ontario)
Fax: (416) 224-8168
Toll Free Fax: 1-800-268-0496 (only in Ontario)
Website: www.peo.on.ca

Learning More

Visit the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers website.

To learn about occupations in Canada, visit the Working in Canada website. This site will help you identify the name of your occupation in Canada. It will also give you important information about your profession in many regions of Canada, including job duties, skill requirements and wage rates. To learn about your occupation, visit the website and click the ‘Start’ button on the main page.

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