
Educational Pathways for Skilled Newcomers

Getting on the right path to career success in Canada
Immigrating to Canada in hopes of pursuing your career ambitions is a big deal, so it can be disappointing to realize employers may not recognize the education or certification you brought from your home country.
So, if you are an internationally-trained professional, what should you do?
The steps you need to consider to get licensed or accredited are different for each profession and vary from province-to-province. Whether you’re a dentist, truck driver or lawyer, Windmill’s Educational Pathways can help you understand what steps to take to get back to your profession here in Canada.
What is a regulated occupation?
A job or career controlled by provincial and territorial (and sometimes federal) law and governed by a regulatory body. About 20% of jobs are in regulated occupations. These include regulated professions (e.g., nursing) and skilled trades (e.g., plumbing). You can find out if the career you are interested in is regulated or not when you click here.
Mapping the pathways to become a…
Accountant
If you are an international accounting professional, and want to work as an accountant, you will need to be licensed in order to work. CPA Canada has agreements with a number of international accounting organizations signed under the Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs), Reciprocal Membership Agreements (RMAs) and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs). Download Windmill’s Chartered Professional Accountant Educational Pathway to learn more about the steps you can take to do this kind of work in Canada.
Business Data Analyst
If you are an internationally-trained data analyst or are interested in pursuing data analysis as a career in Canada, there are numerous education pathways you can explore to advance your skills and knowledge and make yourself more competitive in the Canadian job market. Download Windmill’s Business Data Analyst Educational Pathway to learn more about the steps you can take to succeed in this in-demand occupation.
Cybersecurity specialist (Systems security analyst)
If you are an internationally-trained cybersecurity or information technology (IT) professional or are interested in pursuing a career as a cybersecurity specialist in Canada, there are numerous education pathways you can explore to advance your skills and knowledge and differentiate yourself in this growing field. Download Windmill’s Cybersecurity Specialist Educational Pathway to learn more about the steps you can take to do this kind of work in Canada.
Dentist
If you are an internationally-trained dentist, you will need to be licensed in order to work. The National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) is responsible for credentials verification of these professionals, who wish to work in this country. Download Windmill’s Dentist Educational Pathway to learn more about the steps you can take to do this kind of work in Canada.
Doctor
If you are an internationally-trained medical graduate (IMG), you will need to be licensed in order to work in Canada. The Medical Council of Canada (MCC) is responsible for credentials verification of these professionals, who wish to work in this country. Download Windmill’s International Medical Graduate Educational Pathway to learn more about the steps you can take to do this kind of work in Canada.
Early Childhood Educator
If you are an internationally-trained early childhood educator (ECE) or are interested in pursuing a career in this line of work in Canada, there are different education pathways for you to explore. Download Windmill’s Early Childhood Educator Educational Pathway to learn more about the steps you can take to do this kind of work in Canada.
Full Stack Developer
If you are an internationally-trained information technology (IT), web or software development professional or are interested in pursuing a career as a full stack developer in Canada, there are numerous education pathways you can explore to advance your skills and knowledge and make yourself more competitive in the Canadian employment landscape. Download Windmill’s Full Stack Developer Educational Pathway to learn more about the steps you can take to advance your career in this growing line of work.
Heavy Equipment Operator
If you are an internationally-trained heavy equipment operator or are interested in pursuing heavy equipment operation as a career in Canada, there are a significant number of education pathway opportunities for you to explore. Heavy equipment operators use a variety of mobile machines and attachments. They excavate, grade and landscape earth. They also move materials and equipment on constructions sites, at warehouses and in other industrial settings. They are employed by construction companies, heavy equipment contractors, public works departments and pipeline, logging, cargo-handling and other companies. Heavy equipment operation jobs are regulated in some provinces, but not others.
Download Windmill’s Heavy Equipment Operator Educational Pathway to learn more about how you can achieve Canadian career success in this in-demand profession.
Human resources professional
If you are an internationally-trained human resources professional or are interested in pursuing a human resources career in Canada, there are a significant number of education pathway opportunities for you to explore. Download Windmill’s Human resources professional Educational Pathway to learn more about the steps you can take to do this kind of work in Canada.
Lawyer
If you are an internationally-trained lawyer, and want to work as a lawyer in Canada, you will need to get licensed. It is important to get your academic credentials assessed by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada’s National Committee on Accreditation (NCA). In Quebec, you must file an application for equivalence with the Barreau du Québec to be authorized to practise law in the province. Download Windmill’s Internationally-Trained Lawyer Educational Pathway to learn more about the steps you can take to do this kind of work in Canada.
Nurse
If you are an internationally-trained nurse, you will need to be licensed in order to work. In most Canadian provinces, the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) is responsible for credentials verification of these professionals, who wish to work in this country. Download Windmill’s Internationally-Trained Nurses Educational Pathway to learn more about the steps you can take to do this kind of work in Canada.
Pharmacist
If you are an internationally-trained pharmacist, you will need to be licensed in order to work. The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) is responsible for credentials verification of these professionals, who wish to work in this country. Download Windmill’s Internationally-Trained Pharmacist Educational Pathway to learn more about the steps you can take to do this kind of work in Canada.
Physiotherapist
In Canada, physiotherapists are licensed or registered to practice by provincial/territorial regulatory colleges (regulators). All provincial regulators, with the exception of Quebec and the Yukon Territory require internationally-trained physiotherapists to complete the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) mandatory credentialing assessment process. Download Windmill’s Internationally-Trained Physiotherapist Educational Pathway to learn more about the steps you can take to do this kind of work in Canada.
Project Manager
If you are an international project management professional living in Canada and want to work in roles related to your area of expertise, you will have many industries to choose from. Project, program and portfolio managers work in sectors ranging from construction and engineering to information technology (IT), health care, marketing and human resources. Project management roles are not regulated in Canada but there are several optional certifications that some professionals choose to pursue. Download Windmill’s Project Management Educational Pathway to learn more about the steps you can take to do this kind of work in Canada.
Supply Chain Management Professional
If you are an internationally-trained supply chain management professional or are interested in pursuing supply chain management as a career in Canada, there are a significant number of career options and education pathway opportunities for you. Canada’s supply chain sector enables $1 trillion worth of goods movement throughout the country and is ranked among the top 20 nations in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index. It employs nearly 1 million workers and contributes nearly $70 billion in economic activity. Supply chain management jobs are unregulated in Canada which means there are no specific education credentials required to obtain to work in the field. However, investing in professional development, training and knowledge can help you compete and differentiate yourself in the job market.
Download Windmill’s Supply Chain Management Educational Pathway to learn steps you can take to reach your career advancement goals in this growing industry.
User Experience or User Interface Designer (UX/UI Designer)
If you are an internationally-trained information technology (IT), web or software development professional or are interested in pursuing a career as a user experience (UX) or user interface (UI) designer in Canada, there are numerous pathways you can explore to advance your skills and knowledge and help you achieve career success in these areas. IT or digital marketing roles like UX or UI designers are not regulated professions in Canada so education requirements may vary by employer and by position.
Download Windmill’s UX and UI Designer Educational Pathway to learn about your learning and training options as you look to reach your career development goals in Canada’s growing IT and tech sectors.
Veterinarian
Internationally-trained veterinarians who wish to practice in Canada need to get their credentials verified by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), which is the national governing organization that oversees the National Examining Board (NEB). The NEB reviews and evaluates credentials of internationally trained veterinarians who wish to obtain a licence to practice veterinary medicine in Canada. Licensing for veterinary medicine is the responsibility of each province or territory’s provincial veterinary association with specific requirements, including examinations, differing from province to province. Download Windmill’s Internationally-Trained Veterinarian Educational Pathway to learn more about the steps you can take to do this kind of work in Canada.
Veterinary Technician
Internationally-trained veterinary and animal health technicians or technologists must seek licence or registration with the provincial association in the region where they wish to work. They have different education requirements than veterinarians in Canada. Some provinces will recognize international credentials. Other provinces require graduation from a Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CMVA)/American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. Most registered veterinary technologists/technicians (RVTs) working in Canada have successfully graduated from an accredited animal health technology/technician, veterinary technician/technologist college program. Download Windmill’s Veterinary Technician Educational Pathway to learn more about the steps you can take to do this kind of work in Canada.
Truck Driver
If you are an internationally-trained transport professional or are interested in pursuing truck driving as a career in Canada, you will need a commercial truck driver’s licence. Canada’s National Safety Code outlines the rules and regulations that commercial truck drivers must follow. As well, each province and territory have their own requirements for obtaining a commercial vehicle licence. Licences are classified according to the level of expertise and training of the drivers as well as vehicle weight classes. Download Windmill’s Internationally-Trained Transport Professional Educational Pathway to learn more about the steps you can take to do this kind of work in Canada.
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Understanding credential assessment
Before you invest in an educational program, a critical step you can take to secure your future is to do your research.
Depending on your profession, you may need to first seek out credential assessment or equivalence services to help determine what next steps you should take for your education in Canada. In some cases, national or provincial regulatory organizations (or associated organizations) require this as part of their licensing processes.
Key partners in assessment and credentialing
Windmill Microlending works with of several partners who provide comprehensive information about credentialing, training and learning institutions who support the career and education outcomes of immigrants and refugees in Canada.
One such partner, World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to helping international students, immigrants and refugees achieve their educational and career goals in Canada and the U.S. WES evaluates international educational qualifications, supports the integration of immigrants into the workforce and provides philanthropic funding to immigrant-serving organizations.
For clients in Quebec
In Quebec, Qualifications Québec, works to inform, promote and guide anyone wishing to have their prior learning and skills recognized, enabling them to use those skills in the province.
How Windmill can help you pay for getting your career on the right track
Windmill offers low-interest loans of up to $15,000 to help skilled immigrants and refugees afford qualifying exams, credential assessments, training and other costs associated with advancing and launching your career in Canada.
A simple path to career success: Three steps to an affordable loan
Step 1
Find out if you’re eligible
Complete our two-minute eligibility quiz to find out if you are eligible for a Windmill microloan. If you aren’t eligible today, not to worry, contact us for next steps.
Step 2
Apply for a loan from Windmill Microlending
If you are eligible, prepare your documents for your Windmill application. Here’s what you’ll need.
Step 3
Start your journey to career success
Get notified about your loan approval and work with a Windmill client success coach to achieve your career success plan with mentorship and online digital resources available to support you.