As you know, Canada is made up of ten provinces and three territories. Canadian immigration law is divided into separate programs for provinces and even cities (Provincial Nominee Program, PNP). There are about 80 provincial programs, as provincial authorities may not be limited to only one program.
Each province is experiencing a shortage of specialists in certain areas, which has led to lists of occupations in demand.
Advantages of being included in the list of in-demand specialities
First of all, the list exempts Canadian employers from going through the complicated process of obtaining a permit to hire a foreign worker (LMIA- Labor Market Impact Assessment) since the Canadian authorities at the provincial level announced a shortage of specialists in that area.
That is, the employer does not have to prove that no suitable specialist was found in the local market, and can therefore hire a foreign one.
And since the hiring process is simplified, there are more job opportunities.
Lists by region
The lists of in-demand specialities are updated from time to time, so you need to follow the changes on the local websites for the immigration programs:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
Let’s clarify that the province of Quebec stands a little apart from other PNPs and has the right to a unique selection of applicants and the rules for their immigration programs.
More details can be found on the website.
Provinces are not only interested in skilled workers; they also often require semi-skilled workers and entrepreneurs.
For example, according to the latest data, accountants and sales representatives are in great demand in Canada, but competent engineers, talented programmers and, in general, specialists in the IT sphere always have good chances of finding a job.
The demand for nurses, pharmacists and teachers is projected to increase in the near future. Welders and electricians are also needed.
National Occupational Classification
As you can see, Canada offers options for professionals in a wide variety of fields. In this regard, we recommend that you look carefully at how your existing education and work skills compare with the requirements for many provincial programs.
That is, how your profession matches the NOC (National Occupational Classification – Canadian classifier of professions).
In the NOC, each profession has its own code and a detailed description of the position, licensing requirements, and other prerequisites.
NOC includes several levels: 0, A, B, C, D
- NOC 0 (zero) – top managers, top management.
- NOC A – this includes professions requiring a diploma of higher education in technical fields (engineers, architects, etc.), medical personnel, and higher education.
- NOC B – here, specialities require secondary technical or vocational education (firefighters, electricians, plumbers, etc.).
- NOC C are professions that require secondary education and, possibly, certificates of completion of courses in specific fields (drivers, security guards, truckers, etc.).
- NOC D – specialities that do not require training, skills can be obtained on the job (handymen, cleaners, pickers, etc.).
You can correlate your speciality with the NOC using the service on this website.
Canada offers many options for immigration, but one of the most critical steps is the employment process.
Even with an in-demand speciality, you need to understand that the hiring process is much easier if you already have a work visa and you are in the country.
Thus, one of the most advantageous paths leading to a work visa is to get an education in Canada. As a result, the graduate receives a Post-Graduation Work Permit, which allows them to look for a job easily, along with a Canadian diploma, which undoubtedly increases the chances of gaining successful employment.
