Planning to work in Canada? An essential workbook for newcomers

Section E – Education and Academic Credentials

Introduction

Education is an asset when searching for work in Canada, but your education may not automatically be recognized in Canada. Demonstrating your education and academic credentials is, therefore, important. Understanding educational equivalencies between your country of origin and Canada will also help you to understand the kinds of jobs you will be likely to obtain in Canada.

Step 1: Canadian equivalents for international education

If you want to continue your studies in Canada there are more than 200 accredited post-secondary institutions that assess educational credentials for academic placement at their schools.

If you want to find out how your academic credentials compare to an educational program in Canada you may have your education assessed through an approved assessment agency in Canada. They will compare your academic credentials with similar ones in Canada’s post-secondary educational system. 

What you can do

For academic information:

• Contact the post-secondary institution you want to attend in Canada to find out what kind of assessment they require and accept.
• Contact the assessment agency recommended by the school you want to attend, if required.

For work purposes:

• If you want to work in a regulated occupation or trade, contact the appropriate regulatory body to see
  if you need to have this kind of assessment done and which assessment agency you should use.
• If you do not need to have your credentials assessed as part of the licensing process, consider having an assessment done anyway by an approved assessment agency. This assessment can be useful for employers to help them understand your qualifications.

For additional information, go to 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.

Step 2: My credentials assessment

If you are having your academic credentials assessed, keep track the process by noting:

• The name of the document requested
• The organization to which the document should be sent
• Confirmation that the document was sent
• Whether or not the document was received
• The cost of the assessment
• Whether payment was submitted

Step 3: Continuing education or training opportunities in my field

Once you have received your assessment, you will be able to determine if 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. Review the continuing education and training opportunities you listed in Section C: Step 11.

Step 4: Other educational or training opportunities

Formal training in the field you are interested in might help you find work. Consider going back to school to get a diploma or certificate, upgrade your education or complete a training program. You may also want to look into opportunities to continue your education in a field other than the one you intend to work in when you arrive in Canada.

Here are some ways you can find out about the continuing education and training opportunities available to you in Canada to help you qualify to work in the job you want.

• Look up your occupation in Working in Canada. The Education and Training section of the report lists the schools you can attend to get the education you need for that occupation and provides links to educational and career planning resources.
• Read the Licence and Certification section of your report. It contains information about the required education, as well as links to the websites of professional regulatory bodies and apprenticeship agencies where you can find more information.
• Visit Training and Careers.
• Visit the Red Seal Program to find out about the 49 skilled trades in Canada (for example, welder, bricklayer, hairstylist, tile setter).

You can learn more about universities and colleges in Canada by visiting their website or contacting the following institutions if you are planning to continue your studies in Canada:

• Association of Canadian Community Colleges
• Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
• Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials

Canadian citizens and permanent residents may be eligible to apply for a student loan or grant. Eligibility depends on the type of course you want to take and the province or territory you are living in.

You might want to track the following information:

• School
• Location
• Program
• Contact Information
• Costs

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