How Alberta’s licensing changes support energy workforce growth
As Canada’s energy sector continues to face growing demand for skilled professionals, Alberta is taking steps to make it easier for internationally-trained engineers to enter the workforce and contribute their expertise.
Bridging the gap between talent and labour demand
Careers in Energy’s (CIE) 2026 National Labour Market Outlook shows a growing demand for engineers across a variety of energy sectors, including exploration and production (E&P), oilsands and pipelines.
According to the report, the demand is largely driven by age-related attrition and newly created positions, and as the demand continues to grow, immigration plays an important role in addressing potential labour shortages.
However, many barriers can prevent a newcomer from seamlessly entering the Canadian workforce. For regulated professions, these barriers can include meeting licensing requirements and demonstrating competency in Canadian standards, codes and professional practices.
Reducing barriers to engineering and geoscience licensure
The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) has announced the removal of the one-year Canadian work experience requirement for independent practice.
Effective July 18, 2026, engineers licensed outside Canada may practise independently, provided they demonstrate that their project experience meets the required competencies, rather than a fixed work period.
Previously, engineers and geoscientists were required to complete 12 months of Canadian-based work to gain experience and understanding of how engineering is practised in Canada. This requirement was not based on technical experience, but rather on Canadian laws, standards and regulations.
This created a barrier for internationally-trained professionals, who often needed to secure Canadian work experience before they could become fully licensed.
APEGA also announced changes for professional geoscientists in April 2026. Effective July 18th, 2026, the new competency-based assessment process allows applicants to demonstrate their ability to work within the Canadian professional environment through specific competencies rather than a separate period of Canadian work experience.
Demonstrating competency in a Canadian context
APEGA now focuses on demonstrated competency rather than requiring Canadian work experience. Applicants must demonstrate that their project experience involves applying Canadian codes, regulations or standards and requirements comparable to those used in Canada.
Of the 22 competencies all engineers are required to demonstrate, eight assess knowledge of and ability to apply Canadian engineering standards. Now, engineers can present their work experience to demonstrate these competencies rather than a fixed work period.
The same rule applies to geoscientists, with seven of their 29 competencies given for applicants to demonstrate work in the Canadian context/regulations.
“This change supports a nationally consistent method for evaluating Canadian and international professional experience and allows internationally trained applicants to practise independently more quickly.”
Meeting Alberta’s future workforce needs
These measures are expected to reduce some of the challenges newcomers to Canada face when seeking employment, particularly in high-demand professions such as engineering and geoscience.
As labour demand for engineers and geoscientists continues to increase, streamlining the licensure process may help attract and retain more internationally trained professionals. In doing so, Alberta can better address workforce shortages and support the long-term needs of its economy and energy sector.
