On May 23, 2023, the Professional Engineers Ontario Association (PEO) became the first in Canada to remove the Canadian work experience requirement for applicants. From now on, engineers with international education are eligible to obtain licenses in Ontario. Prior to this law, workers required a minimum of one year of Canadian work experience in the field to obtain a license.
Approximately 60% of license applicants considered each year have an international education. Ontario’s Minister of Labor believes that the province’s removal of this requirement for qualified immigrant engineers will help fill about 7,000 vacancies. He also called the Canadian work experience requirement the biggest barrier for immigrants to get a well-paid job.
Presently no other licensing authority has waived the Canadian work experience requirement. However, Ontario’s future positive experience and significant contribution to the economy could start a change in this direction.
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