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If you have experience and academic

credentials in applied science or engineering,

a career as a certified technician or technologist

is an excellent career option to consider.

The Applied Science and EngineeringTechnology Professions in Canada

There are 14 major disciplines in which

engineering technology professionals may be

certified in Canada.

Information Technology

Instrumentation

Mechanical

Mineral Resources

Petroleum / Geosciences

Bioscience

Building

Chemical

Civil

Electrical

Electronics

Forestry

Geomatics

Industrial

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Technology associations in each province areresponsible for granting certifications in specificdisciplines based on Canada’s National TechnologyBenchmarks. Once obtained, certifications arerecognized in every province and serve to facilitateinterprovincial mobility within Canada.

Labour market demand for technology professionalsin Canada is increasing with shortages of technologyprofessionals becoming more and more common ina variety of sectors in different regions. Explore thefull range of technology disciplines and related careeroptions and other career resources available throughthe Canadian Technology Immigration Network (CTIN)at www.ctin.ca

They include:

Introduction

Canada’s certified technicians and technologists, alsoknown as technology professionals, are well-paid,respected members of engineering teams in both thepublic and private sectors. As leaders in their fields,they enjoy interesting and rewarding careers withexcellent potential for advancement.

It is important to note that applied science andengineering technology in Canada is a non-regulatedprofession, meaning most technicians andtechnologists are not regulated by provincial laws.That said, however, many employers require or prefertechnicians and technologists to be certified. Rightto Practice legislation for technology professionalshas also been adopted in some, but not all, provinces.

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Career Options

Examples of specific occupations withinpetroleum / geosciences technology include:

Canada’s certified

technicians and technologists,

also known as technology

professionals, are well-paid,

respected members of

engineering teams in both

the public and private

sectors.

DISCIPLINE PROFILE —Petroleum / Geosciences

Petroleum engineering technicians and technologistswork in the oil and gas industry. They operate andmaintain well logging instruments and equipment, andassist or supervise exploratory drilling or well loggingsurveys. In addition, many Petroleum Techniciansand Technologists prepare geological maps andmanage facilities.

• PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGIST

• PETROLEUM TECHNICIAN

• MINING TECHNOLOGIST

• GEOPHYSICAL TECHNOLOGIST

• GEOLOGICAL TECHNOLOGIST

• GEOPHYSICAL TECHNOLOGIST

• EXTRACTIVE METALURGY TECHNOLOGIST

• WELL SITE TECHNOLOGIST

• MARINE GEOSCIENCE TECHNOLOGIST

• MINERAL TECHNOLOGIST

• CORROSION TECHNOLOGIST

• RESERVOIR TECHNOLOGIST

www.CTIN.ca

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www.CTIN.ca

On the Job...

Things that petroleum technicians and technologistsdo at work are:

• Assist in feasibility studies for developing new oiland gas fields.

• Monitor oil and gas drilling operations.

• Select sites and specify drilling locations, testingand equipment.

• Direct and monitor the completion and evaluationof wells, well testing and well surveys.

• Monitor and supervise well oil and gas recovery.

• Analyze reservoir fluid data to design optimumrecovery methods and to predict reservoirperformance and reserves.

• Monitor and forecast oil recovery techniques thatextend the economic life of wells.

• Track the actual volume and value of reserves asthey are used up and replaced by new explorationand development.

• Supervise equipment and train crews on the use ofheavy machinery used in oil mining.

• Supervise the preparation, harvesting andtransporting oil and oil sand.

• Analyze samples collected from drilling cores.

Education and ProfessionalRequirements:

Petroleum Technicians and Technologists usuallyrequire completion of a two or three year collegeprogram in petroleum technology.

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Obtaining Associate Membership status within aprovincial technology association is an important firststep to becoming certified in Canada which also offersother benefits. Candidates that obtain AssociateMembership are given a letter from their ProvincialAssociation that verifies that they have met certainrequirements on the path to certification. This lettermay then be used in their employment search todemonstrate their education and/or skills. AssociateMembership in a provincial association also providesaccess to a network of professional piers and mentorsthat may assist with networking and developing jobprospects.

Applying for Certification

To apply for certification as an applied science orengineering technician or technologist candidatesmust apply directly to the provincial technologyassociation in the province in which they plan to work. The following steps must be completed beforecertification maybe awarded:

• Submission of all supporting documentation(transcripts, resume, professional references,previous job descriptions, etc.) validating requiredacademic and work experience;

• Completion of a Professional Practice Examination;

• Completion of a Technology Report (for certificationas a technologist only);

• Meet a language proficiency requirement in one orboth of Canada’s official languages.

www.CTIN.ca

The Certification Process

Individuals educated within Canada and those fromoverseas can apply for membership in a Canadianprovincial technology association at any time. Forinternationally-trained candidates Canada’s provincialassociations typically offer Associate Membershipto those who have applied for certification and who:

• meet the general requirements of certification;

• intend to apply for certification after they arrive orwho have just settled in Canada;

• do not yet meet the association s academic standardsand/or experience requirements, including one yearof Canadian work experience or the equivalent.

Only after all supporting documentation is receivedfrom an applicant, will the certification arm of theprovincial technology association begin evaluation ofthe academic and engineering technology experienceof the candidate. To become a certified engineeringtechnologist or certified technician candidates musthave at least two years of satisfactory experience inengineering/applied science technology in whichregistration is being sought. For internationally trainedapplicants new to Canada, at least one year of thisexperience must be obtained in Canada beforecertification may be awarded.

The application review process determines if additionalacademic requirements and/or work experience will berequired in order to obtain certification. Althoughtimeframes may vary somewhat from province toprovince, the review process generally takesapproximately 3 - 4 months after all documentation isreceived. Once the review is completed, the provincialassociation sends the applicant a formal report of thereview. In the majority of provincial jurisdictions, anyexisting deficiencies or gaps in academic or workexperience are identified and a personalized programoutlining courses or work experience needed to obtaincertification are defined.

When all the requirements identified in the file reviewreport are met, the provincial association informs thecandidate of his or her new status as a certified member. The new status allows members to automaticallybecome eligible for all benefits reserved for certifiedmembers. This includes the right to use one of theprotected professional titles and designations applicableto the provincial association in question.

If you have experience

and academic credentials

in applied science or

engineering, a career as

a certified technician or

technologist is an

excellent career option to

consider.

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prospective employers how their overseas trainingcompares with Technician and Technologist level trainingin Canada. This can be important differentiator for jobseekers in legitimizing their skills and for employersseeking to verify the academic training of internationally-trained applicants For more information on the IQAprogram visit www.cctt.ca

The Canadian Immigrant Integration Program

The Canadian government also provides employmentand settlement services overseas through its officeslocated in China, India, the Philippines and the UnitedKingdom. These services are made available throughthe Canadian Immigrant Integration Program. Formore information about these pre-arrival services visit:www.newcomersuccess.ca/index.php/en/about-ciipphp/en/about-ciip

Other General Preparation

• Research Your Occupation. Know the name ofthe specific job or jobs in Canada that you arepursuing and make lists of potential employers usingon-line resources and contacts.

• Collect Necessary Documentation. Collect copiesof relevant documents, and if necessary, have themtranslated into English in your home country as thisis often much less expensive than translation inCanada.

You should bring:

• Degrees, diplomas or certificates from universities,colleges or schools

• Program descriptions related to your studies, andtranscripts of grades

• Reference letters and performance reviews fromemployers

• Work descriptions and letters from professionalagencies

Strengthen Your Workplace Skills.

You may need to improve your technical skills orknowledge before you start work in Canada. Exploreall of the resources provided in this guide and be sureto visit the CTIN.CA website for more detailedinformation.

www.CTIN.ca

Preparing For Employment SuccessBefore You Arrive

Planning and preparing for your new career as muchas possible before arriving in Canada is highlyrecommended. Be sure you understand the provincialjob market and specific professional requirements ofyour occupation. You may be able to start or completemany of these tasks before you arrive in Canada.The following sections provide information andsuggestions for getting started to ensure your successupon arrival in Canada.

On-line Self-Assessment

If you have a background in applied science orengineering technology you should try a self-assessment now to see how your education, skillsand experience match Canadian requirements forcertification. A self-assessment tool is accessible onthe CTIN and Technology Registrations Canadawebsites. The self- assessment is free of charge andcan be taken as many times as necessary. Shouldyou decide to apply for certification prior to your arrivalthe results of the self- assessment may be saved aspart of your formal application for certification inCanada. Take the self-assessment now and find outhow your skills and experience compare to Canadianbenchmarks.

Visit: http://ctin.ca/credential-recognition/self-assessment-toolkit

International Qualification Assessment (IQA)

The International Qualifications Assessment (IQA)is an independent Canadian equivalency assessmentof academic credentials for people trained outsideofCanada. The IQA program evaluates the level andtype of credential obtained by prospective immigrantsand new arrivals to Canada who have receivedoverseas academic training in the areas of appliedscience & engineering technology.

The IQA compares international credentials toCanadian criteria using procedures that are clear andconsistent with the "Guiding Principles for GoodPractice in the Assessment of Foreign Credentials"as published by ACESC, taking into account thediversity of educational traditions around the world.

The program offers internationally-trained technologyprofessionals with a cost-effective means to have theircredentials assessed against Canadian criteria. TheIQA can provide a competitive advantage whenapproaching Canadian employers. After successfulcompletion of an IQA, prospective immigrants andnew arrivals to Canada are able to demonstrate to

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www.CTIN.ca

• Canadian Technology Immigration Networkwww.ctin.ca

• Working in Canada Toolwww.workingincanada.gc.ca

• Citizenship and Immigration Canada -Skilled Worker Programwww.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/index.asp

• Job Bank Canadawww.jobbank.gc.ca/intro-eng.aspx

Getting Help with Your Job Search —The Role of Settlement Organizations

Finding a job in Canada may be very different than inyour home country. You may need help finding jobvacancies, updating your resume, writing a cover letter,preparing for interviews, and understanding whatCanadian employers are looking for. Settlementservices are designed to support newcomers toCanada. Settlement organizations provide servicesand programs to help newcomers with:

• Learning language skills

• Searching for jobs

• Starting businesses

• Exploring new careers

• Finding educational opportunities

• Getting documents translated

• Accessing information about community services,schools and healthcare

• Making new friends and feeling more at home

Most programs are free of charge and often servicesare available in different languages. Sometimessettlement and language programs are offered byorganizations such as libraries, schools, colleges anduniversities. In addition to the services listed above,many settlement agencies will offer services tailoredspecifically to assisting newcomers with technologyskills. Services offered include:

Canadian Language Requirements

Canada has two official languages: English andFrench. Depending on where you decide to live, youmay be required to work in English, French, or in bothlanguages. You should become familiar with therequirements for your occupation in the provincewhere you want to work. Provincial requirements forcertification usually include a language assessment.

You will need to have a good grasp of industry andtechnical terminology and be able to interact in Englishor French to communicate with your employer andco-workers. In order to work effectively in theengineering technology sector it is recommended thatyou should have reached a minimum Englishproficiency level of CLB 7 (Canadian LanguageBenchmarks: www.language.ca).

Depending upon your language skills, you may needto enroll in training or upgrading programs. Many ofthe training programs have language levelrequirements and each may vary in the types of teststhey accept and the minimum scores required. Visitthe Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks,provided by Citizenship and Immigration Canada totest your English or French proficiency.

Finding Employment in Canada

Canada is an extremely large country and dependingon your skills you could be working in a variety ofdifferent provinces or regions in Canada. Petroleumengineering technicians and technologists for examplemight find work in the provinces of Alberta,Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and Quebecwhich either have significant petroleum reserves orrefining capabilities. Food technicians and technologistsby comparison are more likely to find work in regionalfood processing centres located in a variety ofprovinces including Prince Edward Island, Ontario orSaskatchewan.

Before deciding where to land in Canada you shouldcarefully review the attributes of Canada’s differentprovinces, their location, their unique labour marketsand fully understand the types of industries andemployment opportunities located in each.To learn more about your chosen profession, regionallabour markets and employment opportunities, visitthe following websites where you will find a wealth of information including salaries, regional employmentopportunities, job descriptions, and more.

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www.CTIN.ca

CTIN has been developed with the specific goal ofassisting internationally-trained engineering technologyprofessionals in having their credentials recognizedand finding successful employment in Canada.

CTIN s national network of partners includes provincialregulatory bodies, provincial government immigrationdepartments, community colleges, immigrant settlementorganizations and immigrant employment councils.Working together in each province of Canada, CTIN spartners provide assistance to internationally-trainedtechnology professionals prior to their arrival and aftertheir landing in Canada to help increase their chancesof employment success.

To access the many services offered by CTIN it isrecommended that you register with the network. Whenyou register the on-line system notifies CTIN partnersin the province that you are planning to settle in of yourplans to come to Canada, or if you are already here,that you are actively seeking assistance on the path tofinding employment in your chosen technologyprofession. All information you provide to CTIN willremain confidential and will only be shared with theCTIN partners to advance your preparation andemployment success.

Register with CTIN today and begin preparing for yoursuccessful technology career in Canada!

Canadian Technology Immigration Network (CTIN)

305-955 Green Valley CrescentOttawa, ON CanadaK2C 3V4

Email: info@ctin.ca

Website: www.ctin.ca

• Helping understand licensure requirements

• Introductions to employers and employer networks

• Helping identify transferable skills

• Assistance with technical resume preparation

• Access to programs to help get Canadian workexperience

• Mentoring programs

Establishing a Network and Building ConnectionsWithin Your Profession

In Canada, the majority of job vacancies are notadvertised. Get advice and contacts for potentialemployment from people you may know in Canada,including relatives, friends or neighbours. Workingas a volunteer, attending events, and joining clubsand associations are often good ways to meet people,to learn about Canadian workplace culture, to andimprove your English/French language andcommunication skills.

As identified previously, each Canadian province hasa technology association responsible for certifyingand registering technology professionals and ensuringthat their members maintain defined standards ofpractice. A list of Canada’s provincial technologyassociations is provided below. You should contactthe appropriate association based on the province inwhich you intend to reside:

Alberta: www.aset.ab.ca

British Columbia: www.asttbc.org

Ontario: www.oacett.org

Quebec: www.otpq.qc.ca

Newfoundland & Labrador: www.aettnl.com

Nova Scotia: www.technova.ca

Prince Edward Island: www.techpei.ca

Manitoba: www.cttam.com

Saskatchewan: www.sastt.ca

New Brunswick: www.nbscett.nb.ca

Register with the Canadian TechnologyImmigration Network (CTIN)

The Canadian Technology Immigration Network (CTIN)is a one-stop source for career information, programsand assistance to support your successful entry intoCanada s technology professions.