As the world strives to put Covid-19 in its rearview mirror, however difficult it might be. The post-COVID era for Canada looks bleak, especially in the labor market. There are already 550,000 unfulfilled skilled jobs, and reports are suggesting that this number will only rise as 125,000 more workers are expected to quit or retire by the end of this year.
It doesn’t sound as promising especially for a developed country like Canada, but it presents itself as a silver lining for skilled people around the globe who are planning to migrate from their home country. Canada is in a dire need for skilled people and is planning to fill those positions by inviting immigrants. Just in the month of July 2021 Canada welcomes 40,000 immigrants, 4000 more than the previous month and the number will only go up as the Canadian Economy tries to recover from the hit it took during the past year.
There are multiple ways for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada.
Express Entry is a points-based system that manages immigration applications for the three Federal High Skilled programs, which include the: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and Federal Skilled Trades Program. IRCC regularly invites skilled workers from both inside and outside Canada through this program.
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience and want to become permanent residents. Having obtained work experience in Canada, these individuals have already settled into Canadian society and established important networks in their communities and their careers.
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) applications are assessed based on an applicant’s ability to become economically established upon immigration to Canada. This is Canada’s flagship immigration program for workers, allowing the country to welcome tens of thousands of newcomers every year. This is a key category of the Express Entry (EE) program.
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade. This economic immigration program was developed at the request of Canadian businesses and employers who were struggling to find enough skilled trade workers to help them complete their work on time.
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) regularly invites a number of skilled workers to apply for provincial nomination for permanent residence. This is through the Skilled Worker and International Graduate category.
The BC PNP also offers a priority pathway to certain tech workers called the BC Tech stream. This Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) targets candidates who have job offers in one of 29 eligible tech occupations.
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program targets prospective immigrants with the desired skills and experience for immigration nomination. The In-Demand Skills Stream in Ontario provides some workers in high-need occupations a pathway to permanent residence.
The Atlantic Immigration Pilot is yet another option for skilled workers who wish to make their new home in any one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces – New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
Work Permits
Skilled workers can temporarily come to Canada under one of two paths, Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and International Mobility Program. This stream allows foreign workers to work in Canada for Canadian companies.
8687 LMIA’s were approved in the first quarter of 2021, despite the adverse effects of COVID-19. This demonstrates shortage of skilled workers in Canada, which has now become a perennial problem with plummeting interest from new generations to enter trades and more veteran tradespeople retiring.
It can be predicted that job vacancy rates will continue to rise in the short term, particularly in service-oriented jobs. This gap in the labor market has created a golden opportunity for foreign skilled workers to apply for jobs in Canadian companies facing labor shortage.
To attract immigrants, Canada is introducing new policies that help protect foreign domestic workers from a drop in wages. Canada is also investing in settlement services for temporary foreign workers who are eligible to transition to permanent residence.
Canada has over 100 economic class streams, which assess candidates on their human capital factors including age, education, language skills and work experience. While having a valid job offer can help you in the immigration process, most economic class immigrants arrive in Canada without pre-arranged employment.
Canada with its abundant natural resources, scenic beauty, jobs, and countless opportunities sounds like a perfect country to come to. If you decide to come to Canada contact Can X for a free consultation and let us help, to make your Canadian dream a reality.
