Career Resources for Newcomer Architects

Once setting the free standing, land record for the world's tallest structure, measuring 553.33 meters (1,815 feet, 5 inches), the CN Tower is Toronto's most visible landmark and arguably its most celebrated tourist destination. 2006 marks its 30th anniversary. This view looks WNW. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Becoming an architect takes years of training and hard work. If you're a newcomer architect, you'll need resources to help you get back to work in your field in Canada. We hope these will help you continue to work and advance your career.

All of Canada:

Architecture Canada | Royal Architectural Institute of Canada(RAIC) 
- Canada's architectural regulatory body

Government of Canada - Foreign Credentials Referral Office 
- links and information for internationally educated architects

Service Canada - Architect 
- labour market and requirements information for internationally educated architects wishing to work in Canada

Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) 
- Essential information for internationally educated architects wishing to practice their profession in Canada

Article: Internationally Educated Architect Job Find program enhanced
- 26 September 2012 article about recent launch of Federal program to help internationally educated architects find jobs in Canada

Canadian Architectural Certification Board 
- information for internationally educated architects, from the regulatory body of architecture in Canada

Canadian Architect Magazine 
- publication for architects in Canada, including internationally-trained architects

Ontario:

Ontario Association of Architects 
- information and programs for newcomer architects in Ontario

Ontario Immigration 
- Career Map for newcomer architects in Canada

JVS Toronto 
- Bridge training program for internationally educated architects

British Columbia:

WelcomeBC 
- information on labour market, qualifications, and job-hunting for architects who are new to Canada

Architectural Institute of British Columbia 
- information on practicing as an architect in British Columbia

BC Internationally Trained Professionals Network 
- a partnership of internationally trained professionals from around the province, working cooperatively, to improve access to meaningful employment for all immigrant professionals in BC

Alberta:

Alberta Association of Architects 
- information for internationally educated architects, from the licensing body of architects in Alberta

Directions for Immigrants - Architecture 
- information on how internationally educated architects who want to continue their careers in Alberta

Saskatchewan:

SaskImmigration 
- Career map for internationally educated architects who want to work in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Association of Architects 
- information from the licensing body of architects in Saskatchewan

Manitoba:

Immigrate to Manitoba 
- information on how internationally educated architects can get licensed to practice in Manitoba

Manitoba Association of Architects 
- resources from the professional association of architects in Manitoba

Québec:

Ordre des architectes du Québec (OAQ)
- L’Ordre des architectes du Québec (OAQ) contrôle l’accès à la profession d’architecte et en réglemente l’exercice dans la province.

New Brunswick:

WelcomeNB 
- fact sheet for internationally educated architects wishing to continue their careers in New Brunswick

Architects Association of New Brunswick 
- information from the licensing body for architects in the province of New Brunswick

Prince Edward Island:

Architects Association of Prince Edward Island 
- information from the licensing body for architects in the province of PEI

Nova Scotia:

Nova Scotia Association of Architects
- information from the licensing body for architects in the province of Nova Scotia

Newfoundland and Labrador:

Architects Licensing Board of Newfoundland and Labrador 
- information from the licensing body for architects in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Architects 
- the professional association for architects in Newfoundland and Labrador

Nunavut:

Canadian Institute for Recognizing Learning 
- information on how to work as an architect in Nunavut, which has no governing body for the profession

Northwest Territories:

Northwest Territories Association of Architects 
- information on working in the profession, from the licensing body for architects in Northwest Territories

Yukon:

Canadian Institute for Recognizing Learning 
- information on how to work as an architect in Yukon, which has no governing body for the profession

Source: http://www.cnmag.ca/

Program connects Halifax immigrants with opportunities

 BY MARTHA WILSON 

What do you do if you move to a new place where you don’t have a job, family or friends? You try to plug into an existing network.

Creating that network for new­comers has been the goal of the Connector Program of the Greater Halifax Partnership economic development organiza­tion, says Fred Morley, executive vice-president and chief economist with the organization.

The International Economic Development Council this month recognized the program with two gold awards of excellence. The program has been emulated in 10 other Canadian cities, Morley notes, ranging in size from Montreal to Truro, and is being implemented in Calgary and by the province of New Brunswick.

One of the keys to the pro­gram’s success is its simplicity.

Morley explains: “We have recruited about 400 business volunteers . . . and we simply ask them to sit with an immigrant, a young professional or a recent grad and have a low-key conver­sation about opportunities in Halifax."

Significantly, this conversation is not a job interview.

“It’s just about reaching out. Each volunteer connector is asked to provide three contacts for the person to follow up with. Each of the three new connectors repeats the process, and in this way the person quickly builds their business and personal net­work, acquires and refines inter­view skills, and often ends up in a quality job."

Program participant Doris Du says the program helped her define what would come next for her.

“It provided me with a big picture of my future career path." She says she got to know more people and also gained confid­ence, “in both work and personal

life." Lurace Lee, another participant, says finding employ­ment is challenging without local connections, even if there’s no significant language barrier.

“It helped me with confidence, and networking in particular, and getting established here in Nova Scotia. Usually, people feel more secure if they are employed and have stable income."

The program helps answer real questions employers might have, she says.

“I can see employers, espe­cially small (to) mid-size, may feel unsure if new immigrants know enough about Canada to be able to work well. The Connector Program is a good example of connecting us with potential employers.”

And new employees are needed to make the economy grow. As Morley says, citing figures from the Canadian Occupation Projection Survey, the number of young Nova Scotians is dropping; the province’s 14-and-under population has declined by about 27,000 over the past decade.

Yet the coming five years are expected to open up around 75,000 jobs, either in new positions or as replacements for retiring workers.

According to the Greater Halifax Partnership’s Krista Hall, more than 130 people have found jobs through the program since its launch in 2009.

“This year, there are 170 immigrants, international students and young and emerging professionals participating in the program. So far this year, 21 participants have found jobs.”

Like Morley, she emphasizes that our lives encompass much more than our work.

“Finding employment is a measure of success, but it’s not the only one,” she says.

“The knowledge participants gain about the local job market also equips them with the information they need to upgrade or retrain for the career they’d like to pursue in Halifax. Gaining professional and community contacts is also a benefit for someone trying to settle in a new community.

“The program really is about connecting people to opportunities in Halifax, whether they be education, employment or community related.”

Thriving in Tough Times is a series developed by the business development centre at Saint Mary's University in Halifax.