Did WES make a mistake?

[tszanon]

I just received my online ECA report. I sent them the required documents for my 1.052 hours long post-secondary course focused on IT... and they assessed it as a "Secondary school diploma". I just can't believe it. I just sent them a message questioning the ECA results, but I don't think anything is going to change. :'(

The report:
Credential Authentication: Official transcripts were sent directly by the institution
Country: Brazil
Credential: Título de Técnico(Title of Technician)
Year: 2001
Awarded by: Ministério da Educação(Ministry of Education)
Institution Status: Recognized
Major/Specialization: Computer Science
Canadian Equivalency: Secondary school diploma

I know, it's a rant, not a question... anyway, has anyone ever seen something like this, or have some advice for me?

 

[scylla]

If it was just a course (rather than an actual diploma) - then it doesn't sound like a mistake.

 

[tszanon]

No, it's not just a course. I received a diploma.
I think it should have been considered an one year post secondary diploma.

I guess I'll have to find some other way to improve my score.

 

[dobes]

No, it's not just a course. I received a diploma.
I think it should have been considered an one year post secondary diploma.

I guess I'll have to find some other way to improve my score.

I think that's the issue right there. In North America, there is no such thing as a one-year post-secondary diploma. There are, however, technical schools that offer one or two-year educations in technical areas such as automotive repair, appliance repair, some areas of IT, etc. Although a person might attend these schools after getting a general secondary school education, the level is still considered secondary school, because the skills taught are practical and technical, not theoretical for the most part. Even so, the skills acquired can qualify the graduate for NOC B positions in particular that require the specific skills the schools teach, so although you get fewer points for education you can quite possibly still qualify for EE - and depending how rare your particular training is, you might be able to get an LMIA more easily than someone with a more general education.

 

[tszanon]

I think that's the issue right there. In North America, there is no such thing as a one-year post-secondary diploma. There are, however, technical schools that offer one or two-year educations in technical areas such as automotive repair, appliance repair, some areas of IT, etc. Although a person might attend these schools after getting a general secondary school education, the level is still considered secondary school, because the skills taught are practical and technical, not theoretical for the most part. Even so, the skills acquired can qualify the graduate for NOC B positions in particular that require the specific skills the schools teach, so although you get fewer points for education you can quite possibly still qualify for EE - and depending how rare your particular training is, you might be able to get an LMIA more easily than someone with a more general education.

Oh my... now I get it. If I had this piece of information before, I wouldn't have wasted my resources on this ECA.
Fortunately, I'm already qualified for FSW. My hopes were to qualify for "two or more certificates", which would have increased my score by 32 points.
Now I also know that my wife's diploma will also be considered a secondary diploma if they assess it. Bad news.

So, they didn't make a mistake. I did. I should have researched about it before applying.

Thank you very much!