Does military academy engineering experience count for Express Entry work experience?

For applicants with prior work experience as a military-trained engineer wondering about Express Entry (EE) eligibility:

1. Work experience gained as an engineer, including within a military structure, is generally counted toward EE work experience as long as it matches the duties of the relevant National Occupational Classification (NOC) code for your role — the setting (military vs. civilian) is not itself a disqualifier.


2. The minimum work experience requirement for EE eligibility is 1 year of continuous, paid, full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience within the last 10 years.


3. With 3 years of relevant electrical engineering experience, this would exceed the 1-year minimum, so eligibility on the work-experience criterion alone should not be a barrier — though your overall CRS score will depend on other factors like education, language, and age.

Always confirm the exact duties in your role align with the specific NOC code you intend to claim, since eligibility hinges on matching your actual job duties to that NOC's lead statement and main duties, not just your job title.