Assessment

Starting in May 2013, all people applying under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) must get an educational credential assessment (ECA) of their completed foreign educational credentials. This is a different process than qualifying to work in a particular occupation in Canada.

If you are applying to immigrate under another immigration category, be aware that education is an asset when searching for work in Canada, but your education may not automatically be recognized here. Demonstrating your education and academic credentials is, therefore, important. Understanding educational equivalencies between your country of origin and Canada will also help you understand the kinds of jobs you will be qualified for in Canada.

The following are important steps in getting your credentials recognized in Canada:

Note: Use the Planning to Work in Canada workbook to keep track of what you learn.

Create a Working in Canada Report

Use the Working in Canada Tool to create a report that will tell you whether your job is in a regulated occupation and help you find the correct regulatory body or apprenticeship authority. For regulated occupations, the Education & Job Requirements section of your report has information on the required education as well as links to the websites of professional regulatory bodies and apprenticeship agencies, where you may find more information. The report will also give you information that will help you find a job, including the following:

  • A definition of your job, as well as other job titles in your occupational group. Knowing the proper Canadian name for the job or occupation you want can help you avoid confusion with employers
  • The main duties for the job in the city and province or territory you have chosen
  • The skills required for this job
  • Job opportunities
  • Training opportunities
  • The typical hourly wage for this job in the city and province or territory you have chosen
  • Contact information for the regulatory body or apprenticeship authority

Find out whether there are Occupation Facts for your profession

Occupation Facts will tell you what you can do while you are waiting to come to Canada, guide you through the process of foreign credential recognition and outline the general requirements you must meet to work in your profession in Canada.

Compare your qualifications

  • Compare your qualifications with the requirements for licensing, certification or registration to work in that job in the province or territory where you would like to live.
  • Decide what you need to do to meet those requirements.

You may also need to compare your language skills with those required for your profession. Most professions and trades require you to be fluent in English or French and to have a strong command of all work-related language. They may require you to have a proof that you have attained a specific language level. Take steps while you are still in your home country to improve your language skills.

Contact a regulatory body or assessment agency

Contact the regulatory body or apprenticeship authority for your profession in your province or territory or visit its website to determine what you need to do to obtain a licence or certification. You will have to prove that your training, experience and other skills are equivalent to the standards that people trained in Canada must also meet.

Note: In many cases, you can have your academic credentials assessed and begin applying for a licence or certificate before you leave your home country. The regulatory body or apprenticeship authority can tell you what steps you can take before you arrive in Canada.

Collect your documents

There are many documents related to your education and your experience that help regulatory bodies, assessment agencies or employers understand your international qualifications. Before you come to Canada, you can identify and gather documents that you may need after you arrive.

Any documents you can produce that prove your educational record, professional training and work experience will help you in your search for a job in Canada. They will help you and potential employers understand your qualifications. When applying for licensing, certification or registration in a regulated occupation, such documents are required.

Documents you may require include the following:

  • Degrees, diplomas or certificates from universities, colleges, secondary schools or trade schools
  • Program descriptions or syllabi related to your studies; transcripts of grades
  • Letters from professional and other regulatory bodies
  • Apprenticeship or professional certificates
  • Letters from employers, performance reviews
  • Work descriptions for jobs you have done
  • Letters of reference from former employers

In some cases, the regulatory body, employer, credential assessment agency or educational institution may require that official documents be sent directly from schools or other organizations to Canada. Before you leave for Canada, check with the appropriate organization to find out what its requirements are.

Getting documents translated

You may need to have your documents translated into English, French or both. Check the website or contact the regulatory body or apprenticeship authority to find out about the translation requirements including the following:

  • Whether you need to use an approved translation service (If so, you will have to pay for the translation.)
  • Whether original documents are required or whether you will need a lawyer to notarize copies
  • Whether certified translations are required

Missing documents

If you cannot get the documents you need to confirm your education, skills and experience, contact the regulatory body or apprenticeship authority and ask them how you should proceed.

Consult an approved assessment agency

If you do not have to get your credentials assessed as part of the licensing process, consider having an assessment done by an approved assessment agency so that you can show employers how your training compares with that of people trained in Canada.

Determine whether you need to upgrade your skills or education

Once you have received your assessment, you will be able to determine whether you need to upgrade your skills or your education for your intended occupation. If so, you will need to find a course of study at an educational institution near where you plan to live where you can obtain the required training.

There are several ways that you can research the continuing education and training opportunities available to you in Canada to qualify to work in the job you want in the city and province or territory you have chosen:

  • Read the Education and Job Requirements section of your Working in Canada Report.
  • Read the Licence and Certification section of your report for information on the required education for regulated occupations, as well as links to the websites of professional regulatory bodies and apprenticeship agencies, where you may find more information.
  • Visit the Government of Canada’s Training, Career and Worker Information website.
  • Visit the Red Seal Program website to find out about the 49 skilled trades in Canada (for example, welder, bricklayer, hairstylist, tile setter).
  • If you are looking for a job or a change in your career, you may want to learn what you need to do to improve your skills. Developing your essential skills can help you get a job, succeed at work and adapt to change.

Note: The recognition process is different in each province or territory and for each profession or trade. If you need to have your credentials assessed for further study at a Canadian post-secondary education institution, contact the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials. It assists professionals, employers and organizations with foreign credential recognition and the assessment of diplomas and qualifications in Canada.