1. International Qualification Services (IQS)
The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta
International Qualification Services (IQS)

2. APEGA
9,218 applications in 2014
7,841 in 2015 (decrease primarily domestic)
~ 5,800 applicants each year
~ 50% of applicants are internationally trained
> 20% all registered engineers in Canada
~ 50% of all registered geoscientists in Canada
Consider registration for 3.5 provinces
Set Professional Practice Exam for 10 provinces

3. International Qualification Service (IQS) Mandate
A single point of contact for information and guidance to Internationally Trained Applicants (ITA):
Licensing system in Canada
Alberta Licensure Requirements for Engineers and Geoscientists
Articulating ITAs’ work experience in a relevant manner appropriate for the Board of Examiners
Related support services (ISA)
Over 77,000 members & applicants
Receives 8,000 – 10,000 applications per year
About 55% are Internationally Trained Applicants (ITAs)
Both from within and outside of Canada
About 30% of the licensing Board were ITA
About 30% of Registration professional staff were ITA

4. IQS Functions – The How Provide support to ITAs : Webinars (offshore)
Face to face presentations (Alberta)
One-on-one contact ( , telephone, in-person)
Help ITAs understand:
Canadian engineering and geoscience licensing system
The structure of engineering/technologist professions
The various APEGA licenses and designations
APEGA application process
Deliver Licensure Seminars
More than 60 information seminars across Alberta:
Immigrant Serving Agencies
APEGA Branches
Permit Holders
Libraries
Community Colleges
Universities
APEGA offices

5. Feedback from ITAs “I got answers to all my questions!”
“I now feel very confident in starting my application.”
“Very thorough and informative!”
“Thank you APEGA!”
“While I may not agree with APEGA requirements, I now understand why APEGA asks for all those things.”

6. What are we hearing?
Jurisdictional Licensure process has created confusion
Economic Immigration vs APEGA Requirements
Unemployed ITAs seek support for their licensure fees
Application and Exam Fee subsidies
ITAs seek recognition of Canadian volunteer experience
ITAs (non-members) desire volunteering opportunities
ITAs seek exposure to Canadian workplace environments
Mentorship or internship type programs

7. What are we hearing? "Job Board" related services
ITAs seek industry-specific resume review and interview preparation support
ITAs desire exam preparation courses/support (NPPE, FE, other technical exams)
Pre-Screen or Mid-Term reviews
ITAs need specific guidance on experience articulation
Too long required to process an application
Engineering and Geoscience specific employment programs to help with job landing
Employment services
ITAs feel that long processing times could affect available employment opportunities as some employers may prefer APEGA registrants over non-APEGA members

8. APEGA is a Regulator APEGA’s role does not include employment services
Regulatory functions sometimes conflict with service needs
APEGA collaborates with partner organizations to facilitate employment and career services
APEGA as a self-funded non-profit organization has limited ability to offer fee subsidies (all cost recovery)

9. Special Projects Philippines Project Refugee Applicants
Favorable policy change impacted 376 applicants
Formed a taskforce to contact each applicant
Refugee Applicants
Met with a number of refugee applicants to get a better understanding of their challenges
Have been working with WES and APEGBC in facilitating an easier pathway for licensure
World Education Service (WES) since January 2016
IQAS as a future add-on once the concept of an external academic agency has been fully verified.

10. Special Projects Competency Based Assessment
Partly funded by an FQR grant
Moves to assess competencies rather than time
A higher assessment standard…
…But permits credit for all work experience
Alternative Academic Assessment
A quantitative assessment of academic content
Will permit more consistent treatment of foreign degrees
Permits the establishment of firm boundaries

11. Enayat Aminzadah, International Qualification Services Manager
or Ext. 2503
Other links of interest:
APEGA Application Information:
National Engineering Organization helps for internationally trained: