in France Engineering Labour Force What Employers Need to Know Rates of Pay Where to Recruit

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1 Engineering Labour Force in France Engineering Labour Force What Employers Need to Know Rates of Pay Where to Recruit 1

2 French engineers are internationally mobile: 13.1 per cent of French graduate engineers 2 are working in labour markets outside of France. In 2010, about 142,000 worked outside of the country. Engineering Labour Force France is the second-largest economy in the European Union (EU) and has the second-largest labour force. In 2010, France was home to more than 1.2 million engineering workers, including some 631,000 engineers, 601,000 engineering technicians and technologists and more than 4,000 geoscientists. France has a comparatively young engineering labour force, particularly when it comes to geoscientists and engineering technologists and technicians. Among French graduate engineers, about one quarter were under age 30 in 2009; 60 per cent were under age 40. (See Figure 1.) When considering an employer, French engineers say they place the most weight on financial compensation, their level of interest in the work, and the opportunity to take on greater responsibility. 1 (See Figure 2.) Graduate engineers work in a wide variety of industries. Approximately half (48 per cent) work in manufacturing while 45 per cent work in service industries. A small number of engineers work in France s energy sector: 1.1 per cent of graduate engineers work in mining or extractive industries, 3.4 per cent work in the chemicals industry, 4.1 per cent work in utilities, and 0.7 per cent work in coke and petroleum refining. Unemployment The unemployment rate among French engineers in 2009 was 5.4 per cent. 2 Current economic conditions in France are positive for engineers, so it is unlikely that many workers will seek work abroad based on economic push factors alone. English Language A significant portion of French engineers are proficient in English. Graduate engineers must obtain at least a B2 score in English on the Common European Framework for Languages Assessment in order to complete their education. A B2 score is similar to a Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based Test (TOEFL-iBT) score of For information on The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta s (APEGA s) English language requirements to become licensed in Alberta, see englishlanguage.html. Among French graduate engineers working outside of France, 31 per cent work in English-speaking countries, mainly the United Kingdom (U.K.) and United States. 3 Table 1. Share of French Graduate Engineers Working Outside of France Age End 2007 End 2008 End 2009 End 2010 Beginners 16.4% 14.6% 14.4% 15.6% Other under % 14.6% 15.9% 16.2% 30 to % 15.0% 15.2% 15.6% 40 to % 11.3% 11.5% 12.3% 50 to % 9.3% 8.9% 9.9% Average 13.1% 13.1% 13.4% 13.1% Source: CNISF Observatory for Activity of Graduate Engineers, 22nd Survey (2011). 1 See Joint Survey of Engineers 2010 (France, U.K., Germany). 2 Latest figures available. 3 See source: CNISF Observatory for Activity of Graduate Engineers, 22nd Survey (2011). 1

3 Likelihood of Immigrating French engineers are internationally mobile: 13.1 per cent of French graduate engineers 4 are working in labour markets outside of France. In 2010, about 142,000 worked outside of the country. A significant percentage of French engineers move internationally each year. In 2010, 8.4 per cent of economically active graduate engineers in France moved to another country to work, down just slightly from 8.5 per cent in An additional 11.1 per cent of French graduate engineers reported moving to a new location within the country. Most international migration appears to be among engineers who are transferring to new posts within their companies. 5 Foreign workers in France comprise a significant portion (16 per cent) of the French engineering labour force and are more likely than average to migrate internationally, having done so before. Figure 1. Age Comparison of French Graduate Engineers and Total French Labour Force Sources: The French National Council of Engineers and Scientists/Le Conseil national des ingénieurs et scientifiques de France (CNISF) Observatory for Activity of Graduate Engineers, 21st Survey (2010), OECD Stats Extracts Database, Share of all Workers 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 26% Under 30 18% 16% 12% 9% 7% 6% 5% French Engineer Graduates Age Total French Labour Force Figure 2. Positive Features of a Company as Reported by Engineers in France, 2010 Remuneration Interesting Work Greater Responsibility Locality 66% 61% 59% 56% Source: 2010 Joint Survey of Engineers (France, U.K., Germany).Database, Work-Life Balance Work Environment Gain Knowledge 41% 53% 49% Job Security 35% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 4 Graduate engineers have earned a master s level degree from a French engineering school. 5 In 2010, while 8.5 per cent of all engineers relocated internationally, only 7.6 per cent of all graduate engineers reported changing employers (up from 6.8 per cent in 2009). 2

4 What Employers Need to Know Alberta employers recruiting in France should know that graduates from the country s engineering schools are highly regarded and often pursue management roles where their responsibilities may have little to do with engineering. When recruiting in France, it is worthwhile to identify those who specifically perform engineering tasks. Engineers and Geoscientists According to Alberta law, to practice engineering, geology or geophysics independently in Alberta, a worker must be licensed by APEGA. Unlicensed workers may practice engineering, but only under the supervision of a licensed engineer. Similar rules apply to internationally educated engineers. They may be permitted to work in Alberta without a license, provided that they work under the supervision of a licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng). In order to practice engineering, geology or geophysics independently, internationally educated workers must have their credentials evaluated by APEGA to determine whether or not they meet the requirements for licensure. Regardless of academic background, all foreign applicants must also: 1. Take the professional practice exam and show relevant knowledge of Albertan law and ethics 2. Obtain one year of Canadian experience; they can apply and gain conditional approval before doing so 3. Be competent in English 4. Provide character references 5. Possess Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Resident status; an applicant not possessing either may apply as a Foreign Licensee To learn more about APEGA s licensing requirements, see and Technologists and technologists do not need licenses to practice in Alberta, but may voluntarily apply for certification from the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET). ASET uses a competency-based evaluation to assess the qualifications of internationally educated individuals. Successful applicants must have an appropriate combination of post-secondary education in their field and practical experience. Many European bachelor s degrees are awarded after three years. Workers holding them would likely qualify for technologist or technician certification with ASET, while those with lower qualifications may qualify at the technician level. Candidates seeking ASET certification generally require: 1. At least two years of professional experience, including one year of Canadian experience 2. Successful completion of the professional practices exam 3. Three verifiable references 4. The ability to work in English 5. Canadian citizenship or Permanent Resident status To learn more about ASET s certification requirements, see In order to practice engineering, geology or geophysics independently, internationally educated workers must have their credentials evaluated by APEGA to determine whether or not they meet the requirements for licensure. 3

5 Table 2. French Titles for Canadian Engineering Occupations and Related Professional Organizations Canadian Engineering Occupations Similar Occupations/Titles in France Professional Organizations Engineering Managers Ingénieur Manager, Diplôme d ingénieur or ingénieur diplôme Civil Engineers Ingénieur civil, Diplôme d ingénieur or ingénieur diplôme Mechanical Engineers Ingénieur en mécanique, Diplôme d ingénieur or ingénieur diplôme Electrical and Electronics Engineers Chemical Engineers Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers Metallurgical and Materials Engineers Mining Engineers Petroleum Engineers Civil Engineering Technologists and Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Industrial Instruments and Mechanics Geosciences Occupations Geologist, Geochemists and Geophysicists Geological and Mineral Technologists and Architecture-Related Occupations Architectural Technologists and Drafting Technologists and Electronic Service Electronic Service Ingénieur en électricité et électronique, Diplôme d ingénieur or ingénieur diplôme Ingénieur chimiste, Diplôme d ingénieur or ingénieur diplôme Ingénieur industriel/ingénieur de production, Diplôme d ingénieur or ingénieur diplôme Ingénieur en métallurgie et Ingénieur en matériaux, Diplôme d ingénieur or ingénieur diplôme Ingénieur de mines, Diplôme d ingénieur or ingénieur diplôme Ingénieur pétrolier, Diplôme d ingénieur or ingénieur diplôme Technicien supérieur en génie civil (Civil Engineering Technician) Technicien ES en génie mécanique (Mechanical Engineering Technician) or DUT Génie Mechanique et Productique (DUT Diploma in Mechanical and Production Engineering) Technicien supérieur en génie électricité et électronique (Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technician) Technicien électronicien (Electrical Technician) Technicien Supérieur Maintenance Industrielle (Industrial Maintenance Technician) Géologue, Géochimiste et Géophysicien, Diplôme d ingénieur or ingénieur diplôme Primarily BTS or DUT graduates who work in geology-related fields at the technician level. Some DUT graduates may go on to an engineering school to earn a bachelor s or higher degree. There are a small number of BTS degrees offered in architectural support that would be similar to a Canadian technician-level degree. More often, however, graduates from architectural schools (which are legally regulated to issue architecture degrees) will start their careers doing support work for architects, including drafting, and eventually become full architects as they gain experience. Generally known as Technicien services en électronique or technicien de service electronique. CTI (Commission des Titres d Ingénieur) accredits university programs, while CNISF (Le Conseil National des Ingénieurs et des Scientifiques de France) maintains the French Directory of Engineers. CTI (Commission des Titres d Ingénieur) accredits all university programs, while CNISF (Le Conseil National des Ingénieurs et des Scientifiques de France) maintains the French Directory of Engineers. Higher education curricula are set by each school, and all are accredited by CTI. CTI accredits university programs in Geosciences. The French Union of Geologists (UFG) supports the European Federation of Geologists (EFG). Ordre des Architectes (Association of Architects) at the professional level, no true occupational distinction for Technologist/Technician level workers. Various trade associations, not an organized occupation. Source: RDA Global, contributions from listed professional organizations. 4

6 Fact Sheets Fact sheets on hiring internationally trained workers in engineering-related occupations can be found at Follow the links below for more information on hiring for specific occupations: Hiring Architectural or Drafting Technologists or from France Hiring Electronic Service from France Hiring Engineers from France Hiring Engineering Technologists or from France Hiring Geoscientists from France Hiring Geological/Mineral Technologists or from France 5

7 Table 3. French Engineering Labour Force by Canadian Occupation and Average Age, 2010 Labour Force Labour Force Per 1000 Workers Average Age 4, Canadian Occupations Related Occupations (ISCO-88) Geologist, Geochemists and Geophysicists 2114 Geologists and geophysicists Civil Engineers 2142 Civil engineers 85, Mechanical Engineers 2145 Mechanical engineers 71, Electrical engineers 35, Electrical and Electronics Engineers 2144 Electronics and telecommunications engineers 78, Chemical Engineers 2146 Chemical engineers 8, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers 2141 Industrial and production engineers 66, , , , Mining and metallurgical technicians 27, Chemical engineering technicians 35, Civil Engineering Technologists and 3112 Civil engineering technicians 85, Mechanical Engineering Technologists and 3115 Mechanical engineering technicians 115, Electrical engineering technicians 50, Electronics and telecommunications engineering technicians 57, Electronics mechanics and servicers 26, Architectural Technologists and Drafting Technologists and 3118 Draughtspersons 52, Other Related Technician and Technologist Occupations 3119 Physical and engineering science technicians not classified elsewhere 145, , All Engineers 630, All Engineering and Technologists 600, ,235, Metallurgical and Materials Engineers Mining Engineers Petroleum Engineers Other Engineers and Related Professionals Geological and Mineral Technologists and Chemical Technologists and Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and 2147 Mining engineers, metallurgists and related professionals 2149 Architects, engineers and related professionals not classified elsewhere 3111 Chemical and physical science technicians Electronic Service Industrial Instruments and Mechanics All Geoscientists All Engineering Occupations *Note: Labour force estimates include both French and foreign workers in France. Sources: Déclarations Annuelles de Données Sociales (DADS); European Social Survey. 6

8 Rates of Pay There are several different sources of information on engineers salaries in France. According to statistical salary information, in 2010 engineers pay averaged between 50,000 and 66,000 ($75,200 CAD to $99,200 CAD). All sources report similar average income for engineers by percentile, ranging from a low near 33,000 in the lower 10th percentile to a high of 108,000 in the upper 90th percentile. Engineers average income increases with age. Those less than 30 years old earned an average income of 36,800 ($55,300 CAD) in 2010, while those aged earned 46,200 ($63,400 CAD) and those aged earned 54,800 ($82,400 CAD). The average total financial compensation of engineers was slightly lower in France than in other countries in 2010; French engineers typically earn more working outside of France than within it. In 2009, engineers reported average (mean) gross annual income of 90,520 ($136,100 CAD) with median gross income of 69,904 ($105,110 CAD). 6 Among French engineers working in English-speaking countries, the average was even higher at 103,903 ($156,200) with median income of 71,089 ($106,890 CAD). There is no official statistical source that tracks the salaries of engineers, engineering technicians or geosciences workers at an occupational level (e.g., civil engineers vs. mechanical engineers). The closest approximations are by dominant activity and industry. (See Table 4 for additional information) French engineers typically earn more working outside of France than within it. 6 Currency conversion based on rate on December 31, 2009: 1 EUR = CAD. 7

9 Table 4. Annual Gross Income of Engineers by Age and Industry, 2009 Age Industry Under to to 64 All Workers Agriculture, forestry and fishing 29,000 40,500 61,250 42,000 Industry 37,200 55,000 87,477 56,000 Manufacture of food, beverages and tobacco 32,900 55,000 98,477 53,072 Manufacture of textiles, clothing, leather and footwear 35,000 65,000 N/A 60,000 Wood products, paper and printing industries 35,500 56,325 87,706 61,175 Chemicals industry 39,300 59,648 93,000 63,938 Pharmaceuticals 38,375 53,763 95,000 51,720 Production of plastic, glass and non-metallic minerals 36,200 54,702 90,000 56,000 Basic metals and fabricated metal products fabrication 37,208 52,908 90,000 52,800 Mfg. of computer, electronic and optical components 36,500 55,000 80,500 56,841 Mfg. electrical components 35,188 52,225 84,500 60,000 Mfg. of machinery, equipment and weapons 36,124 52,000 80,000 53,000 Mfg. of transport equipment, including aerospace 37,587 53,100 86,800 54,060 Other industries, including repair and installation of equipment 37,000 55,000 75,000 54,000 Utilities, electricity, gas, steam and air 40,000 62,091 90,000 60,000 Water, sanitation, waste management and remediation 34,000 49,000 79,583 48,792 Construction 36,000 54, ,000 50,000 Services 36,000 51,720 76,290 50,000 Retail and wholesale trade and repair 36,560 55,000 77,737 54,204 Transportation and storage 39,664 54,000 95,000 54,727 Accommodation and food services N/A N/A N/A 62,000 Publishing, audiovisual and broadcasting 40,446 61,000 70,955 56,000 Telecommunications 38,700 57,000 80,840 56,550 Financial and insurance services 43,000 62,000 92,000 62,831 Computer and information services 36,866 51,600 75,000 47,000 Engineering activities, monitoring and analysis services, etc. 34,240 46,800 76,940 41,000 Scientific research and development 30,960 42,399 64,471 42,399 Public administration 36,471 48,000 72,500 52,500 Education 28,239 37,500 58,000 42,353 Healthcare 33,473 44,250 60,480 45,000 Other services 38,000 59,000 85,319 55,000 Source: CNISF Observatory for Activity of Graduate Engineers, 21st Survey (2010). 8

10 Where to Recruit There are 22 administrative regions in France. Those with the greatest number of engineers and related workers are Ile-de-France (Paris), Rhône-Alpes (including the major cities of Lyon and Grenoble) and Provence-Alpes Côte d Azur (including Marseille, Nice, Toulon, and Aix-en- Provence). Combined, these three regions are home to 62 per cent of all engineering companies in France and 41 per cent of the engineeringrelated labour force. Paris is the educational, cultural and commercial centre of France and is home to many of the nation s leading engineering universities. Lyon is the capital of the Rhône-Alpes region and is the second-largest metropolitan area in France. The region is known for light engineering and high tech. Mechanical engineering activity is concentrated around Annecy, while special precision machining is concentrated around Cluses. The region is also known for high-tech industries and nanotechnology, especially in Grenoble. The Provence Alpes Côte d Azur region is known for electrical engineering and electronics in Alpes- Maritimes (mainly around Cannes and Nice). The Midi Pyrénées region has a large aerospace industry, mainly located in Toulouse. The industry supports more than 3,000 enterprises that supply its engineering, electronic, telecommunications and computing infrastructure. Table 5. Share of Engineering Labour Force by Region Region Share Ile-de-France (Paris) 22.6% Rhône-Alpes 10.2% Provence-Alpes-Côte d Azur 7.5% Nord-Pas-de-Calais 5.8% Pays de la Loire 5.6% Bretagne (Brittany) 4.7% Aquitaine 4.7% Midi-Pyrénées 4.2% Centre 3.9% Other regions 30.8% Total 100% Source: DADS Database

11 Figure 3. Regions of France Nord-Pasde-Calais Haute- Normandie Picardie Bretage Basse- Normandie Ile-de-France Champage- Ardenne Lorraine Alsage Pays de la Loire Centre Bourgogne Franche- Comte Poitou- Charentes Limousin Auvergne Rhône-Alpes Aquitaine Midi-Pyrénées Languedoc- Roussillon Provence-Alpes- Côte d Azur Corse 10

12 Government of Alberta Published: August 2012 ISBN Electronic: