By Tabinda Siddiqui

New comers to Canada need to get their documents evaluated as an important step of settlement process. To me, getting your documents evaluated means ” helping Canada embrace and understand your academic and non academic qualifications obtained outside of Canada”.

One can start the assessment process before coming to Canada. This may take time and cost money but truly saves you from lots of last minute hassle.

You need your documents assessed if you are:

a. Immigrating to Canada as skilled worker

b. Arriving to Canada to work in specific trades or professions

c. Planning on studying in Canada

Keep in mind that some educational institutions and regulatory bodies have their own academic assessment processes. Some use the services of a Credential Assessment agencies. Always do your homework before you apply to a professional regulatory body for licensure or certification; check with them about their requirements and how they evaluate academic documents.

For work related documents assessment, check with potential employers to see if they have a preferred credential assessment agency.

Your documents can be academic or non academic. Assessment agencies evaluate whether your qualifications are equal to standards set for Canadian workers or if you need more training or education.

Credentials

Academic documents / credentials may include:

• Secondary (high) school diploma

• College diploma

• Bachelors degree

• Masters degree

• PhD or Doctorate degree

• Professional school degree (for example, for law, medicine, teaching)

Occupational or Professional Documents /Credentials include:

• Professional licences

• Memberships in professional associations

• Apprenticeships

• Trade certificates

• Work experience

Credential Assessment Agencies

World Education Services – Canada (WES-Canada)
2 Carlton Street, Suite 1400
Toronto, ON M5B 1J3
Telephone: 416-972-0070
Toll Free: 1-866-343-0070
Fax: 416-972-9004

WES-Canada converts foreign secondary and post-secondary educational qualifications into their Ontario equivalents. Document-by-document, course-by-course or customized reports are available for educational, immigration, licensing or employment purposes. Services and assessment reports are available in English and French.

Comparative Education Service
University of Toronto, School of Continuing Studies
158 St. George Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2V8
Telephone: 416-978-2400 ext. 3
Fax: 416-978-2185
Email: ces.info@utoronto.ca

The Comparative Education Service (CES) of the University of Toronto provides assessments of international academic qualifications and compares them to those offered in Canada, which helps employers to better understand its clients credentials. Evaluates credentials for employment purposes. Services are available in French, but assessment reports are available in English only.

ICAS of Canada
Ontario AgriCentre,
100 Stone Road West, Suite 303
Guelph, ON N1G 5L3
Telephone: 519-763-7282
Toll Free (in Canada): 1-800-321-6021
Fax: 519-763-6964

The International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS) of Canada evaluates all documents at any educational level for assistance with employment, educational or career planning. General, detailed and customized reports are available to meet all needs. Reports are available in English and French.

Other Resources

The Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (ACESC)– provides a list of recognized evaluation services in Canada.

The Canadian Information Centre for International Credential (CICIC) – assists and informs you about foreign credential recognition and the assessment of diplomas and qualification in Canada.

The Foreign Credentials Referral Office – provides internationally trained individuals with the information, path-finding and referral services to have their credentials assessed and recognized. The FCRO is also responsible for guiding and monitoring the implementation of pre-arrival services.

Evaluate My Credentials – This section of Settlement.org, a public website for newcomers to Ontario, provides you with information on credentials assessment.

World Education Profiles – This World Education Services Canada database provides you with profiles of worldwide educational systems and their Ontario equivalents.

Assessment and recognition of credentials for the purpose of employment in Canada – This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked questions to help individuals learn more about how to obtain assessment and recognition of their qualifications.

References:

www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/credentials/index.asp

www.ontarioimmigration.ca

 About the Author:

Tabinda Nayyar Siddiqui is a Human Resources Professional, specializing in HRIS Data Analytics, Reporting, Data Conversion, Implementation and Maintenance.