What Does That Mean?
Over the years, employers have told us that the most important consideration when hiring an Internationally Educated Engineer (IEE) is to know what the person can do. In other words, what are their competencies on the job? In order to address this concern we worked in collaboration with Engineers Canada, Engineers Nova Scotia, and Nova Scotia Department of Labour & Advanced Education to launch a pilot project to provide Worksite-Based Performance Assessments for IEEs.
How Does It Work?
Local Engineering companies partner with us and receive training from Engineers Canada to carry out assessment of competencies for engineers. The company interviews and hosts a placement for an IEE through us for a period of 12 weeks at no cost and we cover injury liability insurance. During this period the IEE demonstrates their skills and competencies by participating in ongoing projects. They are assessed internally by their supervisor and these performance assessments can be included as part of their application for P.Eng. At the end of the three months, the employer and participants receive recognition for their contributions.
What are the benefits to employers?
Employers:
- Receive training in competency assessment through Engineers Canada
- Meet placement participants who are motivated, skilled, committed and loyal with fresh ideas
- Get a cost-effective solution to recruiting, training and retaining potential employees
- Develop innovative thinking by increasing diversity in your workforce
- Tackle projects which otherwise could not be done due to a lack of capacity
- Help people settle and get jobs, creating a thriving economy with qualified workers
- Promote a positive public image by generating goodwill within the community, which increases consumer loyalty – research proves this benefit. What goes around comes around!
What are the benefits to Internationally Educated Engineers?
IEEs:
- Complete a work-site based competency assessment
- Demonstrate their skills and abilities to a local employer
- Obtain a valuable reference for their job search
- Receive an honorarium for the 3-month work placement
- Identify skills gaps so they can make plans for further training
- Meet 3 months of the 1 year in North America experience required for licensure application
Please note that you are not bound by any legal obligations by taking part in this pilot project. Your participation is voluntary, therefore you can withdraw at any phase. Your participation is an invaluable asset to this project, and project success hinges on participation by local employers.
For more information contact the project coordinator Ayman Aly at aaly@old.isans.ca or 902-406-8830.
Funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Labour & Advanced Education and is a collaboration among Engineers Canada, Engineers Nova Scotia and Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia.