As an engineering branch, civil engineering comprises around 1/5 of the entire discipline. Canada, as a nation, has various ever-expanding cities that are full of opportunities for civil engineers.
Due to steady growth in the last few years, the need for civil engineers in the country has become even greater. Most international students who do civil engineering from Canada get a high-paying jobs after graduating. Let’s understand the scope of civil engineering in Canada in depth.
Scope of Civil Engineering in Canada
Everywhere in the world, civil engineers are among the key drivers of societal and economic growth. Each year, thousands of individuals migrate to Canada to pursue civil engineering jobs or courses. These individuals are able to take advantage of one of the well-paying and welcome job markets in the world.
With an aim to consistently expand its infrastructure, Canada has a shortage of civil engineers at the moment. The reason for that is multifold. For starters, there are always projects that are getting started in the country. Apart from that, the majority of the workforce is, on average, older and closer to retirement.
The provinces of Alberta and British Columbia are particularly in need of experts and skilled workers in this discipline. Many employers have started looking abroad to find the workers they need as too few Canadian graduates are pursuing this career track.
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As civil engineering skills are high in demand in Canada, civil engineers have the flexibility to work almost anywhere in the country they wish. From Toronto, Quebec, Vancouver to Ontario, the options and job opportunities are plenty.
Famous Job Profiles & Specializations For Civil Engineers in Canada
Wondering which civil engineering specialization is in demand in Canada? Here are some of the famous civil engineering job profiles and roles in Canada.
- Environmental Engineer
- Transportation Engineer
- Public Works Engineer
- Geotechnical Engineer
- Construction Projects Manager
- Water Management Engineer
- Hydraulics Engineer
- Structural Engineer
- Traffic Engineer
- Bridge Engineer
Different Ways for Civil Engineers to Come to Canada
For civil engineers, there are two major avenues to migrate to Canada. Read on to know.
Express Entry System
It is a fast-track process that can help individuals migrate to Canada within 8 to 12 months. The categories available in this system include:
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Canadian Experience Class
The majority of engineering graduates fall under the first program. In order to apply, applicants need to create an online profile that measures qualification, education, and other factors. After applying, each individual gets a Comprehensive Ranking System or CRS score that weighs applicants against each other.
Provincial Nominee Programs
Within the territories and provinces of Canada, there are various streams of civil engineering where interested applicants can apply. In order to apply, individuals can check out the territories and provinces in the demands occupation list. Some provinces where applicants can apply are Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and more.
Qualification Requirements for Civil Engineering in Canada
Candidates need to have the following qualifications in order to migrate to Canada as civil engineers.
- A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.
- A doctorate or master’s degree in a related engineering discipline.
- Licensing by a territorial association of professional engineers.
Average Salary for Civil Engineers in Canada
Civil engineering graduates in Canada are highly sought after by employers. So much so that the salary for entry-level positions in civil engineering is one of the highest in the nation. Recent civil engineering graduates can make a salary in the 60,000 CAD range. Mid-level and advanced-level professionals can make salaries in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
In addition to their academic reputation, engineering colleges in Canada also offer high-end technological facilities. Read on to know some of the best colleges for civil engineering in Canada that can get you high-paying jobs.
Top Canadian Universities for Civil Engineering Programs in Canada
University of Alberta
This University is one of the leading research universities in Canada. They emphasise internationalism, having students from over 142 countries in the world. Their masters in civil engineering is a 9-12 month course that includes a Capstone project in Edmonton.
McGill University
McGill University’s Civil Engineering & Applied Mathematics department was established in 1870. As of today, it has over 570 undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Their comprehensive Bachelor of Civil Engineering program equips students with a foundation in engineering.
Students can choose to specialise in their area of interest or gain a broader education in the field of civil engineering.
Algonquin College
Algonquin has provided high-quality education for over 42 years and has a strong presence worldwide. The college offers a three-year graduate certificate program. Some of the topics covered in the course include environmental engineering, project administration, and civil estimating. Graduates of this program can make a career in numerous specializations in civil engineering.
University of Waterloo
The University is located in the heart of Canada and offers over 36,000 programs. Individuals looking to make a career in civil engineering can opt for their Bachelor of Applied Science Civil Engineering program.
It provides a highly flexible and customisable path of study where students can craft their studies around areas of interest. Moreover, the course allows them to explore many aspects of civil engineering.
University of Calgary
The University of Calgary offers a PhD in Civil Engineering under their Schulich School of Engineering. It is ideal for individuals looking to progress onto postgraduate education and ones seeking to begin their studies in engineering.
The institute provides a well-rounded academic experience to students. Their faculty equips students with the skills needed to pursue different sectors in the civil engineering sector.
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a well-known institute all over the world. Its programs and faculty push students to explore new ways of learning. They offer a Bachelor program in Civil Engineering that provides a foundation in specific skills in civil engineering.
The curriculum also contains laboratory work for students to allow students to apply technical knowledge. Every year around 120 individuals get admitted to this course.
University of Toronto
Individuals looking to make a career in civil engineering to become skilled engineers can pursue a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the University of Toronto. The program prepares them for the industry by honing their solution-finding skills. Apart from the core specialization, students receive education in related subjects like geology, maths, and physics. Moreover, students receive hands-on practical experience through projects and camps.
McMaster University
McMaster University offers innovative educational programs, and their Bachelor in Civil Engineering is a testament to that. The course provides students with a broad education in civil engineering and the chance to specialise in an area of interest. Core disciplines of this course include Transportation Engineering, Structural Design, Environmental Engineering, and Water Resources.
Western University
Western University offers a Master of Engineering (Civil & Environmental Engineering) to fresh civil engineering graduates looking to make a name in the industry. Individuals in this course get the opportunity to mix coursework with project work. A student can complete this course in one to two years.
Conclusion
Civil engineers are responsible for building the structures on which the world depends and connects. One of the oldest disciplines of engineering, civil engineering, has various subdivisions. Some of them are in demand in the job market while others aren’t.
When it comes to Canada, environmental engineering is an in-demand specialization. The reason for that is that most individuals feel that the environment is more vital than economic growth.
So, the need for environmental civil engineers is only bound to grow in the country. Apart from that, Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, and Water Resources Engineering also have a high demand.
All the colleges and institutes mentioned above offer impeccable opportunities to study civil engineering. Students of these institutes get set up for various career opportunities in Canada. In order to get more information about these, you can book a consultation call on LeapScholar.
Related Articles:
- Top Universities for Civil Engineer In Canada
- Masters (MS) of Civil Engineering in Canada
- Average Civil Engineer Salary In UK
Frequently Asked Questions
Are civil engineers in demand in Canada?Â
There are numerous job openings for civil engineers in Canada at the moment. That is because there is a shortage of talent in the country and various job profiles that require filling. With too few Canadian graduates pursuing this field, employers have started looking outside to find suitable candidates for the job.
Which civil engineering specializations are in demand in Canada?Â
Some in-demand specializations include Geotechnical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, and Construction Engineering.
Which city is best for civil engineers in Canada?Â
Ontario, Quebec, Toronto, and Alberta are some of the Canadian cities with numerous opportunities for civil engineers.
