On September 12, the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Jobs, Immigration and Growth, announced a pilot project to support internationally trained engineers in meeting the requirements for professional licensure in the province. Funding for this project is provided by the Newfoundland and Labrador-Canada Labour Market Development Agreement.
The Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Memorial University will receive almost $600,000 for a three-year project to create supports for engineers who require additional coursework or examinations to meet the requirements for professional licensure in the province.
The project will involve the faculty working in partnership with Professional Engineers and Geoscientists Newfoundland and Labrador (PEGNL) to identify the possible knowledge and skills gaps for internationally trained engineers, international graduate students and unsuccessful professional engineering applicants. Following this preliminary work, relevant course materials will be developed, and pilot courses will be offered to eligible participants. The final component of the project will measure outcomes, including the success of participants, and create strategies for long-term sustainability of the project.
Over 85 per cent of graduate-level engineering students at Memorial University are international students and represent a key focus of this project.
Providing support to engineers seeking licensure is part of a broader initiative to support all Canadian and internationally educated professionals to have their credentials recognized in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Provincial Government's Fair Registration Practices Office helps ensure skilled newcomers receive a transparent, timely and fair assessment by the relevant regulatory body for their chosen profession.
Assistance the Fair Registration Practices Office provides can include:
- Providing guidance on the provincial licensure process.
- Identifying funding opportunities that may be available.
- Developing pathways to employment.
The Fair Registration Practices Office is also open to engaging with regulators on projects that facilitate credential recognition. Newcomers and regulators can visit the Office's website for more information.
Quotes
"From oil and gas, to construction, to hydroelectricity, our province needs engineers to build the projects that will define our future prosperity. This initiative will help enable more engineers to obtain licensure so that talented individuals we have attracted to our province can find fulfilling careers and build lives here. Credit is due to the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science for collaborating with us to address this goal."
Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Jobs, Immigration and Growth
"We are truly grateful for the important governmental funding that empowers our Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science to develop tailored courses to support internationally trained engineers and international graduate students in pursuing professional engineering licensure. As the province's only engineering school and a national leader, we are uniquely positioned to help students meet licensure requirements and strengthen workforce integration. By establishing partnerships with professional engineering bodies such as PEGNL, this fund will build our capacity to deliver education and mentorship in a sustainable way to help these professionals meet regulatory requirements and contribute effectively to our economy."
Dr. Bing Chen, Interim Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University
For more information
Prince Phillip Drive
St. John's Newfoundland
Canada A1B 4J6
www.gov.nl.ca
