Foreign-trained engineers get licensing help in Ontario

The Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) has received $83,800 from the government of Ontario to develop and deliver special bridge training courses for internationally trained engineers. These courses will prepare engineers to write and pass the professional practice exam (PPE), which they need to pass to be licensed in the province.

OSPE will offer a tailored preparatory course for the PPE. In addition to the required technical information, the new course will include the Canadian cultural context of exam writing. It will incorporate content relating to engineering, legal and ethical practices in the workplace, as well as addressing exam stress and study habits. Professional Engineers Ontario, the provincial engineering licensing body, is collaborating with OSPE in developing the course.

According to the government of Ontario, by 2011, all of the province’s net labour force growth will come from immigrants. OSPE recognizes the important contribution foreign-trained engineers can make to the economic growth of the province.

“Our bylaws have been written to expressly provide the opportunity for these individuals to join OSPE,” says Angela Shama, CEO. “We look forward to the creation, delivery and continuation of this essential learning element, which will lead to the betterment of the engineering profession and to Ontario as a whole.”

Shama adds that the course is not directed at particular engineering specialties, but will be offered to any internationally trained engineer who would like to become licensed in Ontario. The course does not lead directly to licensing as a professional engineer because there are other requirements that must be met before a license is granted. However, Shama says that taking the course and passing the exam demontrates to potential employers that the engineer is committed to becoming licensed, which could help in landing a job. The first offering of the two-month course, conducted as a pilot, is scheduled for January 2009 and again in September. Following an evaluation process and any necessary revisions or enhancements, the course will be delivered on an ongoing basis.

Edwina McGroddy, director of policy and external relations for OSPE, says that the course might be the first of its kind in Canada. As many internationally trained engineers settle in Ontario, the need for the course is highest in the province –therefore McGroddy believes the course will be popular.

Internationally trained engineers who would like to take the course can contact Lee Weissling at 416- 223-9961, ext. 230, or lweissling@ospe.on.ca