Information and Communications Technology
Welcome
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) is a Canadian not-for-profit sector council. The sector includes companies and organizations that develop goods or services to process, transmit or receive information. These companies cut across many industries, including software, hardware, computer services, telecommunications, microelectronics, e-business, e-learning, e-health, wireless, multimedia and digital entertainment, as well as emerging technologies such as photonics, intelligent systems, open source software, life sciences and digital imaging.
ICTC wants you to succeed in Canada! We invite you to explore our website, especially the section titled “Immigration Initiatives.” Our publication, A Guide for Internationally Educated Professionals to the Information and Communications Technology Sector, is an important resource for you.
- Working in Information and Communications Technology in Canada
- Before You Come to Canada
- Preparing to Work in the ICT Sector in Canada
- Finding a Job in Canada
- Additional Resources
Working in Information and Communications Technology in Canada
The information and communications technologies (ICT) sector is a major employer in Canada. It includes manufacturers, wholesalers and service providers of information and communications technologies. ICT contributes $150 billion a year to the country’s economy. There are more than 32,000 ICT firms across Canada, with more than 600,000 people working in ICT occupations.
ICT professionals work in a variety of occupations. Some of these occupations are regulated; others may require certification or licensing; others may require a combination of education and work experience, but no certification or licensing.
Before You Come to Canada
While you are waiting to go to Canada, there are many important things you can do to improve your chance for success.
The Foreign Credentials Referral Office is an organization of the Government of Canada that provides you with helpful resources such as the Planning to Work In Canada? workbook and the Working in Canada Tool. Use these resources to find and collect important information and to develop your job search plan.
You will need to prove your language skills in English or French or be tested. You can find information at www.language.ca. If you need to improve your language skills, start before you come to Canada.
Your official education, work and identity documents are important. It is much easier for you to gather and organize your documents while still in your home country.
Verify translation requirements. In some cases, you will have to use a professional translation service in Canada.
Preparing to Work in the ICT Sector in Canada
Your preparation to work in the ICT sector in Canada will depend on your occupation and the province or territory where you choose to live. The provinces will have different processes and requirements.
A wide variety of occupations fall under the category of information and communications technology. To best prepare for working in Canada, have your credentials assessed to understand how they compare to those of Canadian-educated workers.
ICTC’s online resource IEP Guide to the ICTC Sector has a comprehensive list of provincial organizations, occupational groups and other resources that will help you determine exactly what steps you need to follow to work in your occupation. You will find information about creating a résumé, job search techniques, labour markets across Canada, what to expect in a Canadian workplace, and a comprehensive list of links to national, provincial and other organizations that offer support and information for internationally educated professionals. Download it from www.ictc-ctic.ca under “Immigration Initiatives.”
You might decide to work for yourself! Read this ICTC guide on starting your own business: How to Be an Entrepreneur in Canada’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Sector by downloading it from www.ictc-ctic.ca under “Immigration Initiatives.”
Finding a Job in Canada
You should take time to research job requirements and develop a plan for finding work.
In some parts of Canada, ICTC works in partnership with other organizations to offer mentoring or bridge-to-work programs. You can find out about these programs through the ICTC newsletter for internationally educated professionals. To sign up to receive the monthly newsletter, send an e-mail to ICTC at immigration@ictc-ctic.ca
ICTC’s website hosts an online community called the IEP Tech Network designed to help internationally educated professionals find other internationally educated professionals working in ICT in Canada. The purpose is to network, socialize, share information, find people and connect online. It’s a meeting place where you can network with other technical professionals and groups all across Canada. You can find it at www.ictc-ctic.ca/community.
ICTC’s Directory of ICT Employers is a searchable tool for you to connect with companies in Canada that may be hiring through their career pages on their websites.