Canadian Certification Can Advance Your Career

You can advance your career by getting Canadian certification for your profession or trade. This will help to showcase your existing skills, knowledge, and experience to Canadian employers. A World Education Survey (WES) found that 74% of newcomers, living in Canada in 2018, found jobs within 6 months of living in the country. And on the surface, this looks like great news. But as WES dug deeper they found that only 39% had commensurate jobs with duties relevant to their previous experience, seniority, and education. 

The same report asked respondents to identify the main barriers they faced when looking for a job. Over 30% answered that employers did not recognize their qualifications and experience, and 25% mentioned that they did not recognize their international education.  A picture that looks very familiar to me. 

In my current position as a Program Facilitator in a non-profit, I work with newcomer professionals every day. And these results echo what I often hear. When I see their certifications, Masters, and PhDs, I can see the root of their frustration. 

Newcomers have invested time and resources in a well-rounded education, hoping to use it in their chosen country. Moreover, the same credentials allowed them to migrate to Canada. So it seems contradictory to ask for qualified individuals and not capitalize on this human resource because their education is not appreciated. But getting Canadian certification can help you to overcome these barriers and advance your career!

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Canadian Certification for Regulated and Non-regulated Professions 

So what may be the reason behind this situation? Broadly speaking there are two kinds of professions in Canada:

1. 1. Regulated professions

2. Non-regulated professions. 

Regulated professions are related to the safety or well-being of people. Therefore, people working in these professions must be certified by a provincial, territorial, or federal authority. Some examples include professionals who work in:

• Health care (nurses, dentists, physicians)
• Construction (civil engineers, architects, tradespeople)
• Personal service fields (social workers)
• Legally bound professions (lawyers or accountants).

Click here to learn if your occupation is regulated in your province or territory. 

Why Canadian Certification is Important

Certification ensures consistency and quality. Take, for example, the difference in codes, norms, and even construction materials that a civil engineer or architect may encounter.

Many clients have worked on big projects, using concrete, or brick and mortar, but they are not familiar with using wood for residential purposes. So it is not a lack of preparation, but an update to their new environment. 

The same lens can be applied to non-regulated professions. Although it is not critical nor mandatory to get a certificate, it is highly recommended. This professional development step can: 

• Demonstrate to employers your knowledge in your current environment 
• Show interest in your professional development.

Embrace Lifelong Learning

We live in a rapidly evolving economy, where adapting to change is critical with more jobs being automated. And in Canada, ongoing professional development is a key part of the workplace culture. 

When you keep learning you can:

• enhance previous skills and put yourself ahead of others
• fuel creativity and innovation
• open up more and better opportunities.

Embracing the lifelong learner in you will improve your self-confidence and put you in the driver’s seat of your career path. Assessing your credentials and upgrading your skills may help you to get a better job with a better salary. What’s not to like?

I might have convinced you by now that investing in more education will pay off. But, you might be wondering “how can I afford it?” Luckily, there are bridging programs available for permanent residents that can help to mitigate the burden of the cost, like the Immigrant Bridging Program available in Alberta, or the Ontario Bridge Training Program.

Whether you are considering pursuing a certificate, diploma, or a part-time course, further learning and higher education offer benefits to newcomers. A small investment with a high payoff to open doors for your future!

WRITTEN BY

olga.g.zamudio

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