How an engineer from Siberia enrolled in college in Canada and immediately found a job

Yegor moved to Canada in fall 2023 to study at Centennial College in Toronto for a technical program. In his first few months, he managed to settle in, start working part-time, and feel like he'd found his place—in a country with suitable weather, respect for skilled trades, and an education system focused on hands-on learning.

Why Canada

Yegor is originally from Irkutsk, and had been living in St. Petersburg in recent years. His choice of Canada wasn't random—he was looking for a country with a moderate climate, developed industry, and good prospects for mechanical engineers.

"I'd wanted to come to Canada for a long time. I mainly chose it because of the weather. I'm from Siberia and don't like hot weather. So I picked Canada for its nature, climate, and industrial sector. There was a time when I was looking for work in Germany, the US, Finland... but I ended up settling on Canada."

How He Chose His College and Program

Yegor had a technical diploma in mechanical engineering technology. He consulted with several immigration agencies, but only the Immigrant.Today team was able to properly match him with a college and program that fit his education and visa prospects.

"They explained that I needed to choose a college with a focus on engineering programs to guarantee getting a visa. I ended up enrolling at Centennial College—they have a huge selection of technical programs: from auto mechanics and engineers to programmers."

The program lasts two years and leads to an Advanced Diploma in engineering.

Studying in Canada: "Everything's Practical"

Yegor notes that education in Canada is very different from Russia—less fluff, more focus on specialization, hands-on learning, and freedom.

"Here, the subjects are strictly related to your field. Even the math teacher is an engineer by training, so the math curriculum is geared toward practical engineering needs."

Despite having worked in engineering for many years as a CNC machine operator, Yegor admits he's learning a lot of new things at college.

Language Preparation for College

Yegor shared that like many non-English speaking students, he also takes English classes at college. As a prospective student, Yegor chose not to take the IELTS test, and instead enrolled in University Pathway prep courses at the Canadian ILAC school. After completing these courses, he was accepted without taking international tests. However, he still had to take the college's internal placement test.

"When I started the online course with ILAC, I was at a B1-B2 level. I had trouble with writing due to lack of practice. ILAC really helped because it's built on Canadian standards and includes lots of practice and interaction with other students."

Settling In and Housing

Yegor lives in Scarborough, a large residential area of Toronto with tons of parks.

"Just walking to the bus stop, you see at least 10 different squirrels every day."

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He's renting a basement room in a house where the landlords are a Macedonian family.

"Rent is $800 CAD. I got lucky—found a place on the first try, paid one month plus deposit."

He uses public transit and is happy with how it works:

"Buses come every 2-3 minutes. Very convenient. It takes 25 minutes max to get to college."

Working While Studying

A few months after starting school, Yegor got a part-time job at his college—in the tool workshop.

"I work in the tool workshop. It's paid work. A professor recommended me and they hired me. Minimum wage is now $17.20 CAD per hour."

About the Atmosphere and Attitude

Despite the age gap with other students (Yegor is almost 40), he easily connected with professors and classmates.

"I was worried it might be uncomfortable interacting with other students because of the age difference. But it's actually the opposite—it's easier for me. I have experience, so I help others. All the professors are polite and ready to help. It's a very student-oriented system."

He emphasizes the diversity of nationalities—his classes have students from India, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Future Plans

After graduating from college, Yegor plans to get a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), stay in Canada, work, and apply for permanent residency.

"Skilled trades are in demand. They're always looking for operators and technicians. In the future, I want to move to Manitoba or Alberta—there's more industry there, beautiful nature, and it's cheaper."

Results of Moving to Canada

Moving to Canada became the start of a new life for Yegor. He enrolled in college, got a part-time job, lives in a nice neighborhood, and takes steps every day toward his goal—becoming a sought-after professional in a country that respects skilled trades.

"I like everything here. The air is clean, people are kind, and I barely notice any bureaucracy. There are problems, but they're solvable."

Yegor is an example of how someone with technical education can successfully adapt and build a career in Canada. The key is choosing the right strategy, getting support, and being ready to learn new things.

If you're also thinking about studying and moving to Canada—book a consultation with our licensed immigration consultants. We'll help you navigate this journey with confidence and achieve success.