Canada is a very accommodating country, with its arms open wide to welcome legal immigrants, either for educational or occupational purposes. With growing retirement rates expected among the baby boomer generation (i.e., people born between the years of 1946 and 1965), there is an anticipated labor shortage that the government is ready to mitigate.
Predictions show that by 2024, one in five Canadians will likely be 65 or older. This goes to show that the baby boomer generation makes up a large chunk of Canada’s population. This is good news, as it paves the way for younger Canadians and immigrants to access many job opportunities since they still have most of their career lives ahead of them.
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So today, we bring you the top 10 job opportunities in Canada for immigrants. If you are planning to or have already immigrated to Canada, this post will help you find the most available opportunities.
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Note that there are no guarantees. It still has to put in the work and follow the right procedures to secure a job in Canada.
Table of Contents
Canada’s Booming Job Industries
Health care, social work/assistance, and technology added about 30,000 jobs in September, making them the biggest industry gainers in the Canadian job market. The reason is that health and quality of life are priorities in the country. Also, in the race towards the 4th Industrial Revolution, Canada does not plan to lag behind.
Eligibility to work in Canada
Skilled workers are chosen primarily based on the following:
- Prove adequate funds to support yourself and your dependents after you arrive in Canada
- Have a post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree
- Have skilled work experience of at least 1 year of full-time and
- Meet minimum language requirements of English and/or French.
These basics usually help immigrants settle quickly and get along well in Canada. With that said, let’s look at the top 10 highly skilled professionals in Canada.
1. Nurses
The services of nurses are in high demand as Canada places a premium on health care delivery. Also, going with the fact that its population is aging, more nursing professionals and assistants are needed to care for the senior citizens while not neglecting the younger population. The best part is that they are in demand throughout the country; their service has no restrictions.
To qualify as a practicing nurse in Canada, you will need a degree or diploma as a registered nurse. You will also need to take some professional courses and study management. As soon as you begin working, you will need to register with a regulatory body in the province. The median hourly wage is 36 Canadian dollars
2. Dentists
Dentists are in high demand in Canada. To qualify as a practicing dentist, you will need a university degree from a recognized dental program. You will need to have a license by a provincial or territorial regulatory body. Transitioning into specialized dental practice requires additional training.
The median salary for a dentist is about 77,000 Canadian dollars
3. Pharmacist
Medical professionals are in demand in Canada to help keep the growing population happy and healthy. More pharmacists will lend a hand to help make more healthcare workers available across the provinces. In Canada, only pharmacists can prescribe certain medications and renew prescriptions. The median hourly wage is at 47 Canadian dollar
4. Audiologists
Audiologists and speech-language therapists assist people with hearing loss or communication disorders on the path of recovery and expressing themselves. These skilled professionals can work in hospitals and rehabilitation centers or engage in private practice. Some of the job descriptions include conducting a diagnosis, providing rehabilitation programs for patients, and engaging in speech disorders or hearing loss-related research.
Furthermore, to qualify as an audiologist, you will need a master’s degree in audiology or speech-language pathology. You will also have to register with the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists and with other regulatory bodies, depending on which province you work in. The median hourly salary for audiologists is C$45.
5. Software Engineers, Programmers, and Designers
The 4th Industrial Revolution is a massive job opportunity window for those interested in technical careers. Canada’s growth in the web, telecommunications, and mobile technology sectors has increased the demand for more software engineers, programmers, and designers.
The median hourly wage is C$44
To qualify for these tech jobs, a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is usually required. Although these professions are often self-taught, experience, skill, and creativity are the distinguishing factors here. Advanced or postgraduate education is also an added advantage.
Also Watch: 12 Best Computer Skills Employers Are Looking for – How to Use it to get a Job!
6. Engineers
Specialized engineering careers have been found to consistently rank high on the list of “Eligible Federal Skilled Worker Occupations”. Some of the high-demand engineering professions include Chemical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Mining and Geological Engineer, Petroleum Engineer and Surveyors.
To qualify as an engineer who can practice in Canada, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline. Depending on the position, a master’s degree or PhD may be required. Three to four years of engaging in supervised work and passing a practical exam are additional advantages. Media hourly rates are at C$40
7. Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics are positions that are in high demand throughout Canada. There aren’t enough skilled and qualified technicians to make up for the increasing number of retirees and those choosing different career paths. Skilled industrial mechanics are also particularly needed, especially for those working in the manufacturing sector.
The required certification to work as a professional technologist in Canada varies from province to province. Generally, apprenticeship or vocational training is what is required or you may also need trade certification. Hourly pay ranges between C$19 and C$50.
8. Data Scientists, Statisticians
On a daily basis, our internet and device usage is culminating in exponentially growing amounts of data. The demand for people who can interpret it and make sense of it is also growing. Data Scientists, Statisticians, and Actuaries are trained to use mathematical techniques to build models that solve problems and predict consumer or user behavior and outcomes. To fit into this role, you will probably need a graduate degree in math or statistics and knowledge of other data science tools. The median salary for statisticians is C$45.
9. Pilots and Flying Instructors
Pilots are not limited to commercial and military flights. They may also be involved in air transport, crop spraying, aerial surveying, and so on. Flight engineers are the ones who conduct pre-flight inspections and system and equipment maintenance. Flying instructors, on the other hand, train new pilots or prepare them for license examinations.
Pilots and flight instructors are required to complete secondary school and be certified by a reputable flying or aviation school. It should be noted that different aircraft require different licenses for pilots. Flight engineers will also need the Flight Engineer License from Canadian authorities. The median hourly salary for pilots, flying instructors, and flight engineers is about $45 to $60.
10. Business Development Executives
The method of doing business is gradually changing with the wave of digital transformation sweeping across the board. Organizations and businesses are in search of marketing, public relations managers, and business development executives who are savvy in this area. In this role, you’ll be a face or representative of a brand or organization’s public image. Job responsibilities include planning and executing advertising campaigns (online and offline), conducting and analyzing market research, client sourcing, and maintaining relationships with clients and the media, etc.
A university degree or college diploma in communications, public relations, marketing, or journalism is a requirement. As an added advantage, you’ll also need a couple of years of experience in sales, marketing, public relations, business administration, commerce, or economics under your sleeve. The median annual salary for marketing and public relations managers is $83,000.
The list is inexhaustible, as Canada is desperately in need of skilled immigrants to fill various high-demand roles. Other top jobs for immigrants in Canada include Veterinarians, Medical Laboratory Assistants, Technicians, Occupational Therapists, Truck drivers, etc.
But first, if you want to work in Canada, you need to qualify for a relevant visa or immigration program. Be sure to watch our video on how to move and work in Canada. What do you find particularly interesting about Canada? Let us know in the comment section. If you enjoyed this video, thumb up and share it with someone. If you are yet to subscribe to the After School Africa channel, this is likely a good time to do so. Until next time, YOU SUCCESS MATTERS!
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