Geological engineers are in high demand in Canada’s construction industry. If you are looking to immigrate to Canada as a geological engineer in 2024, read this article to the end to find out how.
Who is a Geological Engineer?
A geological engineer is an engineer with extensive knowledge of the various aspects of the earth, including its composition and structure.
Job Description of a Geological Engineer
A geological engineer searches and evaluates possible sites to discover mineral deposits. The person also designs the plans for mines to enable the safe and efficient removal of mineral deposits from the sites.
Is There a Demand for Geological Engineers in Canada?
Yes, geological engineers are in demand in Canada and you stand a chance to get a job offer if you apply ahead of time.
The country’s construction industry requires more hands and with your knowledge; you are likely going to be among hundreds of Nigerians to be hired in 2024.
Employment Requirements for Geological Engineers in Canada
Before you apply for a geological engineer job in Canada in 2024, it is imperative to understand some of the criteria or essential prerequisites to land a job.
Educational Qualifications
Being a geological engineer requires a mastery of the earth and its components. Suitably qualified persons are expected to have some excellent educational background.
- A doctorate or Master’s degree in a related engineering discipline.
- Having a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree is essential.
- Geological engineers who have graduated from an accredited educational program and must have had up to 4 years of supervised work experience may also be asked to sit for and pass a professional practice examination.
- Geological engineers in Canada need to be licensed by either a territorial association or a provincial association. This license is required to help and allow the geological engineer to practice as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng), and to approve engineering drawings in the country.
In addition to the above, applicants for geological engineer jobs in Canada must have earned those qualifications out of Canada. Those also need to be recognized in the country.
English Proficiency
Applicants for geological engineer jobs in Canada in 2024 need to demonstrate proficiency in the use of the English Language. This is important because this is the official means of communication and doing business too.
Depending on the geological engineering program you intend on using; the English proficiency requirements may differ.
The following tests will help applicants demonstrate their strong command of the English language:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)
- Test d’Evaluation de Francais Canada (TEF)
Work Experience
Having a couple of years of experience working in a related field can increase your chances of getting a geological engineer job in Canada in 2024.
For applicants who don’t have work experience, entry-level positions are still a good way to start your career.
Employment Offer
Besides the educational qualifications and work experience; you also need to have an employment offer.
It is imperative to receive a job offer or an arranged employment from an employer in Canada before coming over. Getting such an offer will increase your chance of immigrating to Canada as a geological engineer in 2024.
Immigration Visa Pathways for Geological Engineers
Several options can be explored by geological engineers looking to immigrate from their country of origin to Canada. From Provincial Nominee Program to Express Entry and the Federal Skilled Worker Program; the options are many.
In this section, we introduce you to the different requirements of any of these pathways.
1. Express Entry
As one of the most popular immigration pathways in Canada, Express Entry is a point-based system that evaluates the chances of a geological engineer to get employed in the country.
It allows skilled workers, including geological engineers to apply for a job in the country and meet the conditions; also qualify for Permanent Residency (PR).
In this section, we talk about the best possible ways to maximize this pathway to immigrate to Canada as a geological engineer in 2024.
Ease-of-Access
The Express Entry program is the geological engineer’s favourite, because of how easy one can get it, provided the requirements are met.
Applicants are expected to scale the pints-based system based on these factors:
- Language proficiency, including the English and French languages.
- Age
- Work experience
- Partner’s ability, in case you are immigrating with your partner.
- Education
Determine Your Qualification
As much as the Express Entry program can be easy; applicants also need to meet the set criteria to be considered. Be sure of your eligibility by creating an online profile and providing/capturing all the necessary, general and specific requirements, such as educational background and employment history.
These are required for calculating your immigration points via the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Scoring higher than the other applicants increases your chances of getting invited to apply for Permanent Residency (PR) in the country.
Express Entry Options to Explore
Geological engineers looking to immigrate to Canada in 2024 via Express Entry can do so through any of these pathways:
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
This pathway is ideal for geological engineers who have already integrated into Canadian society. Applicants with at least a year of skilled work experience in the country will be favoured.
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program also works best for geological engineers, who besides their work experience, have proven their ability to make positive contributions to the country’s economic development.
Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP)
Don’t live in Canada but you are convinced that your skill as a geological engineer will be of immense benefit to the country? If so, the Federal Skilled Workers Program is the best option to explore.
It is favorable for applicants who are currently living outside the country, but looking to come over alone or with their families to settle and work in Canada.
Applicants are advised to live outside the province of Quebec, but if that’s where you choose; the Quebec-selected skilled workers program will guide you on how to get started.
From a broader perspective, the FSWP becomes your best bet if the minimum requirements are met:
- English or French language proficiency
- Age
- Having a valid job offer
- Your ability to adapt to living in the country.
- Education
- Work experience.
Applicants also need to be admissible to Canada and show proof of funds (confirming that they are financially capable of funding their stay and or that of their family members in the country). This can be proven by either having a valid job offer from a Canadian employer or being currently able to legally work in Canada.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
This is the best immigration option via Express Entry for skilled workers who wish to permanently reside in Canada. The qualification is based on being skilled in a trade.
Requirements include:
- Having at least 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade within the last 5 years.
- Your work experience must be in any of the skilled trades set out in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). For geological engineers, Major Group 82 and Major Group 83 are where the specialiations likely fall under.
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP)
This program is ideal for geological engineers looking to immigrate to Canada, but need a higher chance of admission. The program helps find placements for highly and semi-skilled foreign workers in the country’s Atlantic provinces.
The program came into being via the joint initiative between the Canadian federal government and the Atlantic provinces of:
- Prince Edward Island
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia and;
- Newfoundland and Labrador
Applicants, in addition to meeting the education and language requirements, are also expected to:
- Receive a job offer from an employer in any of the participating provinces.
- Work experience.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
While the AIPP program seeks to address skilled labour shortages in Canada’s Atlantic provinces; there is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) managed by each province.
Each of the country’s provinces, at different times of the year, may welcome applications for specific jobs, including those in the geological engineering field.
Requirements include:
- Applying to work in any of the provinces where there are labour shortages.
- Meeting the minimum education and language requirements.
- Receiving a valid job from an employer in any of those provinces.
General Rules for Immigrating to Canada as a Geological Engineer
Canada needs more hands in the construction and mining industry. As a geological engineer, you stand a chance of gaining paid employment if you meet the requirements.
Keep these in mind:
- Understand your job description.
- Be sure to have received a job offer from an employer in the country or province. The offer should be valid for at least a year.
- Meeting the minimum requirements helps to speed up your applications.
- Any of the Express Entry (EE) programs help you to immigrate and qualify for Permanent Residency (PR).
- Starting your application on time is very important.
Conclusion
Before applying, be sure to confirm that the jobs under geological engineering are available because some (like petroleum engineers, civil engineers and mining engineers) are excluded. Check the National Occupational Classification (NOC) to be sure.
Finally, you may as well consider the Temporary Foreign Work Permit (TFWP) if you don’t qualify for any of the programs. It allows you to work for a while and gain Canadian work experience. The expertise comes in handy when you want to “step up” and commence your PR application.