2007 SfC in the News: Toronto Star (March 19)

Before Afshin Ebtekar left his native Iran for a new life in Canada, his friends in Toronto gave him this stark warning: "Don't even dream about becoming an engineer here. Come and study to be a computer programmer." Fortunately, Ebtekar stuck it out and became a true pioneer among his circle of friends by becoming one of the first to earn his way back to his old vocation with a professional engineering designation in Ontario – almost four years after his arrival in 2000. "I picked the work that I liked to do," said a confident Ebtekar, 42, who was hired by his current employer, Halsall Associates Ltd., as a structural designer in 2001, after completing a newcomer employment program at Skills for Change. The six-week full-time program, dubbed the Sector-specific Terminology, Information and Counselling (STIC) for foreign-trained engineers, offered Ebtekar step-by-step guidance in returning to his old trade –teaching him the licensing requirements and the process of conducting job market research, resume writing, preparing a portfolio, interview skills and professional terms. The training allowed him to move out of his first job in Canada as a part-time surveyor, a position that had under-utilized his engineering skills and potential. "I knew it'd be a bit tough, but it's not impossible," recalled the Tehran native. Ebtekar, a civil engineer, said not only did his classmates and instructors offer a lot of moral support, the sharing of resources among the group was also invaluable in his success in landing his job at Halsall, a company with over 200 employees across six offices in Canada. He is now a project manager and an associate with the firm. He soon joined the Skills for Change Alumni and became a mentor to newcomers aspiring to return to engineering through various not-for-profit organizations. Ebtekar also volunteers at the Professional Engineers Ontario's Experience Requirement Committee to help the regulatory body accelerate the licensing procedure for new immigrants. "The licensing process can be confusing and intimidating, not to mention the initial cultural shock experienced by many newcomers," said Ebtekar, an avid yoga practitioner and racquet ball player. "The flow and sharing of information can make others' lives much easier. If everyone can give a helping hand, we can all make Canada an easier place to live for immigrants." While it is rewarding to see others enjoying success in Canada (he figures he has helped more than 80 foreign-trained engineers become licensed in Canada), Ebtekar said his biggest achievement came when he was sworn in as a Canadian citizen. "I was very proud of it because I've selected to be a Canadian after going through a difficult settlement process. It's a great feeling when you get to choose the place where you'd like to live and call it home."