Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

I’m a non-Canadian who wishes to find work in Canada. Can you help me?
Where can I find information about labour mobility in B.C.?
Where can I find help with my job search?
Where can I find information about apprenticeships or a career in the skilled trades?
How can I find out about labour laws and regulations in B.C.?
Where can I find information about post-secondary programs and courses in B.C.?
Where can I find information about degree equivalences or foreign credential recognition?
How often is BC Work Futures updated?
How current is BC Work Futures’ statistical data?
Where can I find more detailed and/or current wage information?
What is the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system?

Responses

1.	I’m a non-Canadian who wishes to find work in Canada. Can you help me? BC Work Futures is a career resource for those who are legally permitted to work in Canada. This includes: Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents, and individuals authorized by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. If you are interested in coming to Canada to work, the following resources may help you: Citizenship and Immigration Canada http://www.cic.gc.ca/ This site provides comprehensive information about immigration to Canada, temporary work in Canada and Canadian citizenship. For further information, contact the Department’s representatives at your nearest Canadian embassy or visa office. WelcomeBC http://www.welcomebc.ca/en/index.html This site provides comprehensive information designed to help immigrants moving to B.C. Learn how to access services, including English language courses, employment, health, education and recreation services, in communities across the province. Looking Ahead http://www.lookingahead.bc.ca/immigrant This resource provides information for skilled workers who intend to immigrate to B.C. It explains how to prepare and answers a range of common questions. B.C. Provincial Nominee Program http://www.pnp.gov.bc.ca/ This program offers accelerated immigration for qualified skilled workers who wish to settle in B.C. and become permanent residents of Canada. Canadian Offices Abroad http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/world/embassies/menu-en.asp Use this listing to find the Canadian embassy, consulate, high commission or trade office nearest you.
2.	Where can I find information about labour mobility in B.C.? Workers already licensed or certified in another province or territory in a provincially regulated occupation will have their credentials recognized in B.C. For more detailed information, contact the provincial labour mobility coordinator at 250.356.2338.
3.	Where can I find help with my job search? The BC Work Futures website provides job seekers with information on occupations and the B.C. labour market. This site does not accept resumes or provide job search services. The following resources may help you plan your career path and find a job: Service Canada - Job Bank http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/ Service Canada’s Job Bank is Canada’s largest online network of job postings. This site also provides information about job search and career planning. Lower Mainland Employment Resources http://www.lmer.ca/ This site provides links to job-finding clubs and other community employment programs across B.C.’s Lower Mainland. BC WorkInfoNet http://www.workinfonet.bc.ca/ BC WorkInfoNet provides access to career planning, education and employment information and services, including a searchable database of links. BC Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development – Career Planning and Labour Market Information http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/labourmarketinfo/welcome.htm This site offers information on the B.C. labour market, as well as career planning and post-secondary education and training resources. Service Canada - Labour Market Information http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca/ This site provides detailed information on factors such as worker demand, educational requirements, wage rates and employment outlooks to help job seekers make informed decisions. Human Resources and Social Development Canada http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/home.shtml This site offers a variety of services to help individuals find work and develop their talents, skills and resources. Good luck!
4.	Where can I find information about apprenticeships or a career in the skilled trades? If you are interested in an apprenticeship program or a career in the skilled trades, the following resources are a good place to begin: Industry Training Authority http://www.itabc.ca/ The Industry Training Authority (ITA) oversees B.C.’s industry training and apprenticeship system. The ITA’s website provides detailed information on education and training options and credentialing requirements for careers in trades. All questions regarding industry training and apprenticeship in B.C. should be directed to the ITA. Apprentice Trades http://www.apprenticetrades.ca/ Developed by the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, this site provides information on apprenticeship programs and training across Canada. Construction Sector Council http://www.csc-ca.org/ This site contains information about careers in the construction industry, including labour market information, profiles of construction occupations and information on education and training requirements. Work Destinations http://www.workdestinations.org/home.jsp?lang=en This site provides comprehensive information on regulated trades and professions in Canada.
5.	How can I find out about labour laws and regulations in B.C.? In B.C., the provincial government’s Employment Standards branch administers the Employment Standards Act and Regulation. This Act sets minimum standards of wages and terms of employment for most workers in B.C. For more information, please visit http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb.
6.	Where can I find information about post-secondary programs and courses in B.C.? The following online resources can help you plan your post-secondary education: Education Planner http://www.educationplanner.ca/ This site provides comprehensive, searchable program information for public post-secondary education in B.C. CanLearn http://www.canlearn.ca/ CanLearn’s interactive site provides information about post-secondary education and training in Canada. For up-to-date information on courses and program offerings, it is best to contact post-secondary institutions directly. Most institutions post program details on their individual websites. BC Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development - Public Post-Secondary Institutions http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/institutions/colleges.htm This page provides an overview of B.C.’s public post-secondary institutions. Private Career Training Institutions Agency http://www.pctia.bc.ca/ This site is an information guide to private career training in B.C.
7.	Where can I find information about degree equivalences or foreign credential recognition? If you were educated in a country, province or territory outside B.C., or if you are uncertain about course and program equivalences between institutions, you will need to take steps to ensure your education will be recognized by B.C. employers. The following resources may be of use to you: International Credential Evaluation Service http://www.bcit.ca/ices This service evaluates educational credits earned outside of B.C. or Canada and determines their B.C. equivalents. Foreign Credentials Referral Office http://www.credentials.gc.ca/ The Foreign Credentials Referral Office provides information, path-finding and referral services to help foreign-trained workers succeed and put their skills to work. Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials http://www.cicic.ca/ The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials advises individuals on how to have their foreign credentials assessed and recognized in Canada. BC Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development - International Qualifications Program http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/internationalqualifications/ The International Qualifications Program works to remove barriers in the credential and skill recognition of foreign-trained workers. B.C. Transfer Guide http://www.bctransferguide.ca/ Use this site to find out which courses are transferable between B.C. post-secondary institutions.
8.	*How often is BC Work Futures* updated?** New information is added to the Work Futures website every year to keep pace with changing employment trends. The last major update was completed in the winter of 2007.
9.	*How current is BC Work Futures’* statistical data?** The primary source for detailed employment information in the Work Futures profiles is the Census of Canada, which is conducted by Statistics Canada every five years. Data from Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey has also been used. Employment projections from the COPS (Canadian Occupational Projection System) BC Unique Scenario at http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/labourmarketinfo/reports/COPS_BCUnique_2006.pdf were used for medium-term provincial employment trends.
10.	Where can I find more detailed and/or current wage information? BC College and Institute Student Outcomes Reports http://www.outcomes.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/SORS/index.asp These student outcomes reports provide salary information for recent graduates of B.C.’s public colleges, university colleges and institutes. Graduates are surveyed nine to twenty months following completion or near completion of their programs. The University President’s Council - University Baccalaureate Graduates Surveys http://www.tupc.bc.ca/student_outcomes/publications/ These student outcomes surveys provide wage information for recent graduates of B.C.’s six public universities, as well as former students of baccalaureate programs at B.C.’s public colleges, university colleges and institutes. Graduates are surveyed two years and five years after completion of their programs. Statistics Canada – Wages, Salaries and Other Earnings Tables http://www40.statcan.ca/l01/ind01/l3_2621_238.htm?hili_none This page provides tables of wage information, such as average earnings for hourly paid employees, by industry and by province. Service Canada: Labour Market Information – Wages and Salaries http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca/standard.asp?ppid=43&lcode=E&prov=59& gaid=0&occ=6242&search_key=3&pre_sel_criteria=0 This page provides searchable wage and salary information by occupation and province or territory. Professional Associations The occupational and industry associations referenced in the profiles may be able to provide additional wage estimates and other occupational information.
11.	What is the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system? The National Occupational Classification (NOC 2006) system is a framework for organizing and classifying occupations in Canada. The NOC system groups occupations according to skill level and skill type and assigns each a two-digit, three-digit and four-digit occupational code. Visit Human Resources and Skills Development Canada’s NOC website at: http://www23.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/2001/e/generic/welcome.shtml. For additional information about the National Occupational Classification and related occupational publications, please contact: Skills and Labour Market Information Division 140 Promenade du Portage Place du Portage Phase IV, 4th floor Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0J9 Telephone: (819) 934-8451 Email: noc-cnp@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca