For experienced IT professionals planning to build their careers in Alberta, professional certification may provide more than industry recognition. In certain circumstances, it may also support an application through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP).
The I.S.P. and Alberta’s immigration program
The AAIP uses a Worker Expression of Interest system to score and rank candidates for its worker immigration streams.
Candidates may receive 10 points when they have an eligible Alberta job offer in a regulated occupation and hold recognized certification or licensing demonstrating that they meet Alberta’s regulatory requirements for that occupation.
The Government of Alberta’s AAIP guidance states that only eligible professional occupations and regulatory organizations listed in its Foreign Qualification Recognition directory are considered for these points. That directory lists information technology professional as a professional occupation and identifies CIPS Alberta as a professional regulatory organization.
Alberta also recognizes Information Systems Professional as a protected professional title. Only individuals registered with CIPS Alberta may use the I.S.P. designation or call themselves an Information Systems Professional in Alberta.
Together, these sources indicate that the I.S.P. may be relevant to an eligible IT professional seeking to claim the regulated-occupation points. However, the AAIP does not state that holding the I.S.P. automatically qualifies an applicant for the points.
The applicant must also have a qualifying Alberta job offer and meet all applicable AAIP requirements. The AAIP is solely responsible for assessing each application and awarding points.
What is the I.S.P. designation?
The Information Systems Professional (I.S.P.) is Canada’s only legally recognized designation for IT professionals. It is legislated as a self-regulating designation in six provinces, including Alberta.
The designation recognizes experienced IT professionals who have demonstrated established standards of:
- IT knowledge and professional experience;
- Competence and professional responsibility;
- Ethics and professional conduct; and
- Continuing professional development.
More than an immigration credential
Beyond its potential relevance to an AAIP application, the I.S.P. can help internationally trained professionals demonstrate their experience, professionalism and commitment to ethical IT practice.
Through CIPS membership, applicants and designation holders can also connect with Canada’s IT professional community and access networking, events, industry information and professional development opportunities.
Considering an application?
CIPS assesses applicants based on their education, IT knowledge and professional experience. The same certification application is used for the AITP, I.S.P. and ITCP designations, and applicants receive the designation(s) for which they qualify.
Current certification reviews take approximately 8 to 12 weeks, so prospective AAIP applicants should consider beginning the process early. Applicants must hold CIPS membership as part of the certification application requirements, but membership by itself does not grant the I.S.P. designation.
Learn more and apply for CIPS Certification at:
https://cips.ca/certification/
Applicants should review the current Government of Alberta information before claiming points:
- AAIP regulated-occupation guidance
- Worker Expression of Interest points grid
- Foreign Qualification Recognition directory
- Alberta information about the I.S.P. designation
This article provides general information and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration requirements are subject to change. The AAIP is solely responsible for determining eligibility, awarding points and issuing invitations or nominations. CIPS does not guarantee an immigration outcome.