Engineering is an upcoming sector in Canada. A Labour Market Report published by Engineers Canada highlighted the nation’s growing need to replace retiring engineers, specifically civil, mechanical, electrical/electronic, and computer engineers. The report also stressed the importance of internationally-trained engineers, and Federal government immigration programs, such as the Express Entry program, to meet workforce requirements. 

In this article, we will help you understand how to analyze the scope for engineering roles in Canada and make a successful transition to the Canadian job market.

Here are some of the NOCs that broadly cover all the roles in the fields of engineering:

Figuring out your NOC code makes the process of analyzing the job market easier. 

Tip: For the purpose of analysis, you don’t have to be restricted to one single code; you can look at multiple codes that require your skills and decide which one might be better suited to your situation. 

What is the demand for engineering roles in Canada?

Before you dive deeper, it’s important to understand the big picture. Statistics Canada (StatCan) publishes monthly and annual employment trends for various industries. This is a good starting point to get an idea of the employment trends in engineering; any increase or growth is a good sign. 

The monthly and annual employment trends data on Statistics Canada is grouped by industries. As per the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), most engineering roles are categorized under code 54 – Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services. Therefore, when you look at employment trends on Statistics Canada, you will have to look up this specific category.    

Statistics Canada also allows you to filter the numbers by province – this is a good way to identify provinces that have the maximum demand for your skills and know the probability of finding a job in your field. For instance, in 2021, among all provinces, Ontario had maximum employment for NAICS code 54, followed by Quebec and British Columbia.  

If you would like to gain a better understanding of the overall job market trends, you can look at the following two sites: 

1. Statistics Canada publishes monthly reports which can be found by searching for the Labour Force Survey. A general Google search with the keywords (Labour Force Survey + latest month and year) will take you directly to the relevant webpage. You can have a look at the reports of September 2022 and August 2022 to get an idea. Note that these are overall trends and not specific to the engineering sector. However, they will have subsections for noteworthy NAICS categories for that month.

Explore the job market for engineering roles in various provinces by reading a comprehensive report published by Canada’s Job Bank. Once you’re on the webpage, choose a province and then scroll down to sectoral profiles. Select Professional, Technical, and Scientific Services for deeper insight into the engineering sector.

Tip: For a quick overview, type in your NOC code or job title on the Occupation Trends page and search. Here’s a summary of the role of a Mechanical Engineer (NOC 21301) in Canada. The main summary page will provide various details such as educational and skill requirements for the role, average wages, and the number of jobs available. Clicking on the Prospects tab will show you a provincial breakdown of job prospects.

This exercise will help you set realistic expectations for being able to find a job in your field in a specific province or region. 

How to narrow your research and identify a city where engineering skills are in-demand

Once you decide on a province where you would like to work, as a next step, you can start looking at specific cities that might offer more opportunities to find a job in your desired role. For this, Canada’s Job Bank website is an excellent resource. 

On the Prospects page, when you click on a specific province, it will provide a further split by region. For instance, you can view the opportunities for a Mechanical Engineer in Manitoba on the same site.  

After narrowing down the region, you can go back to the main Occupation Trends page, type in your NOC and region or city to get a similar detailed report. 

How to identify relevant engineering certifications and licenses that may be required for your role

Different provinces and territories may have different requirements for professional licenses and certifications. Identifying if you would need to obtain a license or certification can help you get a headstart in preparing for your employment in Canada.

The same page on the Job Bank website will provide a list of skills and requirements (such as licenses and certifications) for a Mechanical Engineer to be able to work in the field. 

In the case of a Mechanical Engineer, certification is compulsory to be able to work in Manitoba. Additionally, a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required. 

It’s also important to note that in all provinces licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.). Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.

Navigating salary expectations for engineering roles in Canada

Setting salary expectations is another key area of importance for newcomers. There are many sites to conduct salary research: The Job Bank website, Glassdoor, and reports published by recruitment firms such as Hays and Randstad are some of them. Your salary would vary greatly depending on the city you’re based in and your work experience.

Each of these sources will let you filter your profession by experience level and region and city so that you can get a very real sense of salary expectations. It is a good idea to compare numbers from different sites to get a good ballpark figure. 

For instance, a Mechanical Engineer working in Manitoba can expect to earn approximately $70,000 to $100,000 on average, depending on their level of experience. 

How to find an engineering job in Canada

Here’s how you can find relevant opportunities in engineering:

1. Online and offline methods

In addition to Canada’s Job Bank website and other online job search portals such as LinkedIn Jobs, Indeed, Monster, Workopolis, CareerBuilder, SimplyHired, and many others, you can sign up for industry events and register with specialized recruitment or staffing agencies who can help market your resume to potential employers. Industry events in your city or neighbourhood can be found on sites like Eventbrite. 

2. Get relevant certifications and licenses

Most engineering professions require a certification and/or a license to be able to work in your field. Getting certified in Canada will improve your employment prospects and strengthen your resume. 

3. Build a strong resume

The most important tool in your quest to find your dream job is your resume. Ensure that your resume is always up-to-date and aligned with Canadian style of formatting. Be sure to customize your resume to the engineering role you are applying for. 

4. Networking

Networking is crucial to finding employment in Canada. LinkedIn is a good starting point for you to build your network. See the top 10 tips to optimize your LinkedIn profile.

What does the hiring process look like for engineering roles in Canada?

The hiring process for engineering roles is usually split into multiple rounds:

• Screening: This is usually a telephonic round where the interviewer will focus on the resume and ask about past experiences, expectations for the next role, understand your motivation for the position, and discuss compensation details. 
• Knowledge and skill testing: The initial round could be telephonic or in-person. If the interviewer determines that you are a good fit for the role, the initial round is followed up with two or three more rounds of conversations primarily geared towards evaluating your domain knowledge and skills. These rounds may include white-boarding and behavioural questions.  
• Final round: The hiring manager will usually meet with you before an offer letter is issued. The focus of this conversation is generally on soft skills and cultural fit. 

Tip: Prepped is an excellent resource for you to practice your interview skills and prep for the interview process in Canada.

On average, the entire interview process can take between two to four weeks, depending on the urgency of the position to be filled as well as the availability and scheduling of everyone involved in the process. In rare cases, it can even take up to two months. 

To be able to find meaningful employment as an engineer, relevant certifications and licenses are a must. Obtaining these certifications is often a lengthy process so advance preparation can help you arrive prepared and face the job market with confidence. 

This article offers general information only and is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or its affiliates.

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