Professionals with STEM skills are now sought after as the world is now embracing and adopting technology and technological methods. Even developed countries still need professionals who are skilled in this path and Canada is not exempted.
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Overview of the STEM Field
STEM is the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. It encourages students to embrace discipline, innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving. It is important to embrace technology and learn a STEM skill as there are various opportunities and advantages attached to it. The STEM field majorly comprises the following areas:
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- Natural, physical, and life science. It also sometimes includes medicine.
- Computer, electrical/electronics, and other tech disciplines.
- All fields related to engineering
- All fields related to mathematics and the application of mathematical principles for problem-solving.
Some of the benefits of learning a STEM course include:
- STEM enhances innovative thinking. Students learn to observe, analyze, and come up with possible solutions to problems
- It also encourages problem-solving. This is one of the major reasons there is a high demand for professionals in the STEM field.
- Creativity is also enhanced through studying STEM courses because you get to come up with new ways to solve technical problems.
- Additionally, STEM courses enhance communication and collaboration. Since the STEM field is wide, and one person cannot master everything, professionals have to specialize and then work together towards a common goal.
- STEM also strengthens cognitive skills like reading and learning as students have to consistently open themselves to learning to become relevant.
The Demand for STEM Professionals in Canada
In June 2023, Canada announced its first express entry invitation for individuals skilled in the STEM field. The reason for this is to enable Canada to meet the increasing demand for skilled people in this field to fill the available positions to the end that it contributes to the nation’s economic growth and technological advancement. There are key sectors in Canada currently experiencing a shortage of workers and immigration is helping to fill these gaps. Professionals like data scientists, software developers and programmers, mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries, and electrical and electronics engineers are currently in demand. By accepting skilled immigrants in these fields, Canada’s science and technology sector will experience growth as skilled individuals will drive innovations that businesses need to record significant growth.
The call for STEM professionals by the Canadian government further facilitates the recent launch of the Tech Talent Attraction Strategy.
According to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Honourable Sean Fraser, he states that “One of Canada’s greatest strengths is its ability to attract talent. This new STEM-focused category-based selection round will support our science and technology sector and its workforce, by attracting even more of the skilled talent that companies need to drive innovation and realize their growth potential. Combining its unparalleled ability to attract talent with the innovative capacity of its entrepreneurs, Canada is the best place in the world to start and scale a technology company.”
STEM skills in Short supply in Canada
1. Data Scientists
Average annual salary: $101,909
Minimum Educational Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree
Data scientists are responsible for answering difficult questions using data. They develop models for theorizing and forecasting. Additionally, they create algorithms and data models, adopt machine learning techniques, and stay at the top of innovations in the data science field.
2. Software Developers and Programmers
Average annual salary for software developers: $81,167
Average annual salary for software programmers: $85,184
Minimum Educational Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree
Software developers are responsible for designing computer applications /software. They work in computer system design and related services in manufacturing. They work in offices or teams with other professionals.
3. Mathematicians, Statisticians and Actuaries
Average annual salary for mathematicians: $166,685
The Average annual salary for Statisticians: $77,671
Average annual salary for Actuarists: $129,940
Minimum Educational Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree
Mathematicians and Statisticians are responsible for analyzing data and using standard approaches to solve problems. Their top employers are research companies, development companies, and the federal government. They also usually work in teams with engineers, scientists, and other professionals.
Actuarial Science involves the use of mathematics, statistics, and financial theories to analyze the economic cost of risk and uncertainty. They work in insurance companies. They can also work as consultants.
4. Electrical and Electronics engineers
Average annual salary for Actuarists: $75,612
Minimum Educational Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree
Electrical engineering entails designing, developing, and test-running electrical equipment. These categories of engineers mostly work in offices except when they want to examine certain problems or equipment. They work in telecommunications. Manufacturing and even for the federal government.
Eligibility Criteria FOR STEM Jobs in Canada
The eligibility criteria for STEM professionals under the new express entry invitation are:
- Meet the eligibility criteria of one of the Express Entry programs (the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades Program)
- Have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of continuous work experience in one of the listed occupations
- Meet all of the other requirements in the instructions for the round
Top STEM universities in Canada
| Universities | QS World Ranking |
| University of Waterloo | 154 |
| University of Alberta | 110 |
| University of Calgary | 242 |
| University of Saskatchewan | 345 |
| University of Guelph | 486 |
| University of British Columbia | 47 |
| University of Toronto | 21 |
| McGill University | 31 |
| University of Montreal | 116 |
| Concordia University | 283 |
| University of Ontario Institute of Technology | 1063 |
| University of Ottawa | 237 |
| McMaster University | 152 |
| University of Victoria | 359 |
Eligibility Criteria to study STEM courses in Canada
The eligibility criteria to study STEM courses differ based on each university’s requirements, however, the generally acceptable requirements include:
- For those pursuing an undergraduate degree, you must have physics, chemistry, and biology in high school.
- For those pursuing a postgraduate degree, you must have a bachelor’s degree in the STEM course you are going in for.
- Additionally, applicants must have the necessary documents
Standardized tests are also important. Some of the necessary standardized tests include:
- IELTS- for English Proficiency
- SAT- for bachelor’s Program
- TOFEL- for English Proficiency
- GRE- for Master’s Program
- PTE- for English Proficiency
- GMAT- for Management Programs
To pursue an undergraduate stem degree you must meet the following requirements in the following subjects:
- Science: 10+2 in PCM or PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology)
- Technology: 10+2 in or PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) Biology is mandatory for Biotechnology courses
- Engineering: 10+2 in PCM with (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics)
- Mathematics: 10+2 in PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics)
To get a postgraduate certificate in any STEM course, you are to meet the following subject-specific requirements:
- Science: 10+2 with 3-year formal bachelor’s degree in Science Honours
- Technology: 10+2 with a 4-year formal bachelor’s degree in any Technological or related discipline
- Engineering: 10+2 with a 4-year formal bachelor’s degree in any Engineering or related discipline
- Mathematics: 10+2 with a 3-year formal bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Honours.
Necessary Documents
- Official High School Transcripts
- A letter of recommendation
- Higher Secondary Certificate
- Bachelor’s Degree (for masters)
- Work experience certificate (if any)
- Language test scores
- GRE or GMAT scorecards
- Personal Essay
- Statement of Purpose
- Resume or CV
- Proof of your financial resources
- Student visa.
Start your Career in STEM Today
Do you desire to start a career in STEM? The first thing is to pursue a degree in STEM. Wondering how to go about pursuing a postgraduate degree in STEM courses abroad? We can guide you through your journey and make your dreams come true. Reach out to us at EdXtra to access opportunities that will help you on your journey.
Enrolling in the top universities in the world can increase your chances with employers. Unfortunately, it can be quite expensive to study abroad due to the current economic crisis. But this shouldn’t limit you as there are other options you can explore to enhance your career.
MPower Finance and Prodigy Finance are some of the best student loan providers for international students. They also do not require any cosigner or collateral before application. At EdXtra Associates, we can help you with your loan application process. We also provide educational consultancy services for international students to help make your journey easier and faster. You can reach out to us, as we’d love to guide you through this journey.
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