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Assessment & Evaluation Framework of the Internationally-Educated Engineers Qualification Pilot Program, University of Manitoba, Canada

Abstract

This paper presents the assessment and evaluation framework and preliminary findings for the Internationally Educated Engineers Qualification Pilot Program (IEEQ) at the University of Manitoba, a foreign credentials recognition program for engineers recently immigrated to Canada. Assessment and evaluation follows general trends for educational program assessment using mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) and multiple methods (including academic performance, work term placements, employers’ evaluations, focus groups with participants, and follow-up questionnaires with participants). Findings inform the ongoing process of program development and the extent to which objectives have been achieved. Preliminary findings indicate the program to be a viable, time-effective means by which immigrant professionals can obtain formal recognition of foreign engineering credentials and demonstrate their technical competence and their cultural readiness to enter the engineering labor market.

Introduction

This paper presents the assessment and evaluation framework and preliminary findings for the Internationally Educated Engineers Qualification Pilot Program (IEEQ) at the University of Manitoba, Canada. IEEQ addresses foreign credentials recognition (FCR) for engineers recently immigrated to Canada. These internationally-educated engineers hold engineering credentials obtained in their home country (engineering degrees, professional experience), wish to continue their engineering career in Canada, and need to qualify for a Canadian engineering license in order to do so.

The complete conceptual framework of the IEEQ, including motivations and goals, structural features, and delivery features, is the subject of a paper submitted to the International Division of the ASEE 2006 Annual Conference. The complete conceptual framework is not repeated here, other than to summarize key features needed to understand the assessment and evaluation framework and preliminary findings.

Societal and Regulatory Context

Increasingly, the immigration of skilled workers is a powerful demographic and economic force to address labor market needs and facilitate economic growth in the U.S. and Canada. Throughout the 1990s and with projections to 2015, immigrants are expected to comprise up to 60% of labor market growth in the U.S. and 100% of labor market growth in Canada1-4. Skilled workers and foreign-trained engineers in particular comprise a large proportion of recent immigrants, and they cite a lack of North American experience and difficulties with having foreign credentials formally recognized as primary obstacles to full labor force participation. Employers also indicate that English skills (general communication, knowledge of North

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Friesen, M., & Britton, M. R. (2006, June), Program Evaluation Framework For The Internationally Educated Engineers Qualification Pilot Program, University Of Manitoba Paper presented at 2006 Annual Conference & Exposition, Chicago, Illinois. 10.18260/1-2--35