How engineers in Canada can upskill in 2021

It becomes increasingly important to develop new skills as you progress in your career, and engineers are not exempted. There are many certifications, diplomas, or postgraduate degrees that engineers in Canada can enrol in to upskill.

These credentials will allow you to meet society’s growing needs in the 21st century. These certifications can also help you stay ahead of the curve and be better prepared to rise the career ladder ranks. 

So, for engineers in Canada, here are some of your options if you’re looking to upskill in the field:

Concordia University, Graduate Certificate in Mechanical Engineering

According to the university’s website, the Graduate Certificate in Mechanical Engineering is a one-year programme for engineering graduates who wish to obtain further expertise in Aerospace, Composite Materials, Control and Automation, Manufacturing Systems and Theoretical and Computational Fluid Dynamics. 

“Our internationally renowned faculty members will mentor you through world-class research programs at the forefront of their field. You will have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and established research centres, working alongside Canadian and international students from diverse cultures and backgrounds,” it said.

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in engineering with above-average standing, while fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 16 credits.

Fanshawe College Composites and Advanced Materials Aerospace Manufacturing

Do you want to gain employment as a technician, technologist, or engineer in the areas of manufacturing, assembly, quality control/quality assurance and destructive/non-destructive materials testing?

Then this one-year graduate certificate will be ideal. 

Students will engage with materials, design, and fabrication theory and practices for composites and advanced materials, including carbon, laminate, glass, and fabric reinforcement, destructive and non-destructive tensile testing techniques, and infusion and machining techniques. The curriculum will also emphasise quality assurance, safety, evaluation, and control methods.

The programme is designed for graduates of diploma, advanced diploma or degree programmes in engineering.

University of Ottawa’s Online Graduate Diploma in Engineering Management

If you want to continue your graduate studies but aren’t keen to enrol in a master’s degree, you can consider a graduate diploma instead.  

This graduate diploma features five courses that generally take three terms to complete and is geared toward experienced engineering and STEM professionals. 

The university notes: “It offers an industry-oriented, leadership-strengthening educational experience, combining engineering and management skills to qualify you to better mobilise money, people, and technology to analyse, innovate, optimise and excel. 

“With this graduate diploma, you will equip yourself with in-demand engineering management skills in less than a year’s time.”

Among the application requirements include a minimum of two years’ engineering work experience, and a bachelor’s degree with a specialisation or major in engineering, computer science, or physical science, and a minimum admission average of 70% (B).

University of Waterloo’s Masters of Engineering (MEng) programme

The general MEng degree in Mechanical Engineering is a coursework programme that takes approximately one to two years to complete as a full-time student. It can also be taken on a part-time basis for students who want to remain in full-time employment. 

MEng students can also earn one of three graduate diplomas in conjunction with the MEng degree, with no extra cost: Design, Fire Safety and Green Energy.

“These growing fields of strategic interest to the economy are ideal for skills upgrading by internationally trained engineers and for professional development for working engineers,” notes its website.

Only one graduate diploma can be earned in conjunction with the MEng degree.

Whichever route you take, engineers in Canada will find that added credentials can be a launchpad for their success.