The information and communications technology (ICT) sector is a major employer in Canada and contributes about $150 billion a year to Canada’s economy. There are more than 32,000 ICT firms across the country, with over 600,000 people working in ICT occupations.
It is important for you to have a general overview of how your international qualifications may be viewed in Canada. As well, it’s important to have a general sense of the Canadian labour market and workplace culture.
Before You Immigrate
There are steps that you can take before you immigrate to improve your chances of practicing your profession in Canada.
- Attend the Know Before You Go Webinar Series to learn more about life in Canada.
- Contact the Canadian diplomatic mission closest to you to find out about ICT employment requirements.
- Improve your English or French (depending on your destination province) language skills. You will need to prove your language competency, or be tested.
- Assess your language skills by taking an online self-assessment on the Canadian Language Benchmarks website.
- Enroll in language classes while you’re in your home country and continue them after you move to Canada.
- Gather and organize your official education, work and identity documents while still in your home country. Check with your provincial or territorial regulatory body. Find out what documents you’ll need and verify if they need to be translated. You may need to use a professional translation service in Canada.
- Understand how your profession is practiced in Canada and familiarize yourself with the laws and legislation that govern your profession in the province where you will settle.
- Know the name of your job in Canada and make a list of potential employers.
- Research important resources from the Information and Communications Technology Council to develop your job search plan.
- Research Canadian ICT companies on the internet and search for ICT related groups on LinkedIn. Join the ones you think are relevant to understand what’s happening in your industry in North America. Get recommendations from your LinkedIn contacts.
- Check with the professional association governing your occupation in your home country and find out if they have any links with similar associations in Canada.
- Find out how to get a driver’s license in Canada and apply for it right after you land. It will be useful when you’re trying to get a job.
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